Everything You Need to Know About Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating officially launched in the US late last year and it’s now available in a total of 20 countries, including Canada! The latest iterations of this dating app include safety features, Instagram integration, zero advertising and a handy new “Secret Crush” feature. Facebook is clearly upping the dating app ante, and we’re here let you in on everything you need to know about the Facebook Dating platform!
How It Works
To create a profile, users have the option to add their age, gender, height, location, job profile and much more. Facebook Dating will then allow individuals to select pictures, an ice breaker question and information from their Facebook profile to share with dating prospects – including if they have mutual friends on the platform.
Unlike other famous dating apps where users swipe right, the algorithm selects and displays potential matches and users click a heart button to indicate interest, or the X to pass. There is also an option to like specific content on a potential matches profile, such as a cute photo of their dog or their answer to what three emojis describe them best. Ice breakers for the win!
Once you tap on the heart and indicate you are interested, Facebook Dating forces you to start a conversation. Unlike other dating apps where you may run into co-workers or ex-boyfriends, Facebook Dating allows you to remove friends of friends or block people from your match pool to get the best results and ensure you don’t have any awkward encounters. Phew.
Unique Features
Currently, Facebook Dating allows users to share their Instagram posts – and by the end of the year, they hope to incorporate Instagram stories so potential matches can get to know each other even better. No other dating service offers the opportunity to share and connect via mutually shared interests, events and friends through both Facebook and Instagram.
Another feature recently launched unique to Facebook Dating is the “Secret Crush” option, where users can select up to nine friends from Facebook or Instagram that they secretly admire. Users who have each other on their list will be matched and can start messaging. If the feeling is one-sided, nothing happens.
This gives users a chance to form relationships with people that they know but are too afraid to approach romantically. Unfortunately, both people have to be following one another so you can’t add your favourite celebrities and influencers.
The newest feature introduced is called “Share Your Plans”, which allows users to share their location with family or friends if they decide to meet up with someone. Facebook will open up messenger to tell a friend the name of the person you are meeting with, the time and place, as well as live access to your location.
Will Facebook Dating be Successful?
Facebook Dating faces some steep competition from other apps like Tinder and Bumble, but it may have a foot up as it can tap into the estimated 221 million US users that already are already on the platform. Compared to similar apps, Facebook Dating is free of charge, there are no ads and advertisers can’t use information from it to target you.
For many people, Facebook has been the place to search up new potential partners or to stalk ex-boyfriends, so it’s not surprising that Mark Zuckerberg described it as a new tool for people to look for long-term relationships and not just hookups. Only time will tell if Facebook Dating will really take off and be able to compete with other popular dating apps.
