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If you’re looking for love but have yet to find it, well, maybe you’re looking in the wrong places. Online dating is a place many couples have met, and now there’s a new online dating service using an app you may already have on your phone.
Facebook has just launched its new dating feature, Facebook Dating, with the hopes of helping people find the love that may have eluded them for too long. The difference between Facebook Dating and other online dating services is that you don’t have to sign up with a new app (if you’re already on Facebook), and it’s free to use.
Facebook Dating can help people find love online and connect with their crushes. And all of this is done in a way to (hopefully) avoid embarrassing yourself.
From Facebook: “Finding a romantic partner is deeply personal, which is why we built Dating to be safe, inclusive and opt-in. Safety, security and privacy are at the forefront of this product.”
Using Facebook Dating
To use Facebook Dating, you must opt into the service to see potential matches. Facebook won’t match you with people you’ve already friended, it probably thinks you can figure that out for yourself. Instead, Facebook Dating will suggest profiles of people you’re not friends with, to help you discover a “perfect match.”
To opt into Facebook Dating, download the latest version of the Facebook app. Tap on the three stacked lines in the bottom menu, then scroll down to Dating.
Begin by creating your Facebook Dating profile. Facebook will help you get started by guiding you through setting up your Profile. If you change your mind, you can delete your Dating profile at any time. You can choose preferences for your matches such as gender, location, and interests.
Then you can see other Dating profiles Facebook thinks are a good match for you. According to Facebook, “People are suggested based on your preferences, interests and other things you do on Facebook.”
You’ll also be able to see a list of profiles of people who are interested in you, then show you’re interested or dismiss them.
Show your interest in a match by Liking or commenting on a suggested profile. You can dismiss those whom you don’t think are a good match.
Facebook Dating will also show your Dating profile to others who have opted into Facebook Dating. Potential matches will see your first name and your age in your Dating profile.
Facebook Dating will try to connect you with others who may be a good match for you, so long as you aren’t friends with them on Facebook. Friends of your Facebook friends, however, may be shown your Facebook Dating profile, if you choose to allow Facebook to match them with you.
People you’re already friends with on Facebook won’t be shown your Facebook Dating profile and shouldn’t even know you’ve joined Facebook Dating (unless you tell them). Facebook explains, “All of your Dating activity will stay in Facebook Dating. It won’t be shared to the rest of Facebook.”
This video from Facebook shows how Facebook Dating works:
Secret Crushes
Facebook Dating doesn’t totally ignore your current Facebook friends. If there is someone special you’ve had a crush on, but you haven’t told that person, Facebook Dating may be able to help you out with its Secret Crush feature.
With Secret Crush in Facebook Dating, you can choose up to nine of your Facebook friends you have a secret crush on. If any of those people also choose you as one of their Secret Crushes, you’ll be shown as a Secret Crush match.
From Facebook, “If your crush has opted into Facebook Dating, they’ll get a notification saying that someone has a crush on them. If your crush adds you to their Secret Crush list too, it’s a match! ”
If you don’t get a notice that your Secret Crush also has a crush on you, it may be that the person isn’t on Facebook Dating, hasn’t created a Secret Crush list, or doesn’t have you on their list.
Integrating Instagram
If you connect your Instagram account to Facebook, you’ll be able to add your Instagram followers to your Secret Crush list. You can also add your Instagram posts to your Dating profile to enhance your matching potential.
By the end of 2019, you’ll be able to add your Instagram and Facebook Stories to your Facebook Dating profile, to help potential matches get to know you better.
What Else You Need to Know About Facebook Dating
Privacy may be one of your key concerns with Facebook Dating, and rightfully so. Be sure to check out the Facebook Dating Privacy Statement to be sure that Facebook’s privacy priorities match with yours.
You can find out more about Facebook Dating from the official announcement: Facebook Dating, It’s a Match.
Availability
Facebook Dating became available in the U.S. on Thursday last week, joining 19 other countries where it’s available: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Uruguay, and Vietnam.
According to FacebookFacebook Dating will be in Europe by early 2020.
Facebook has restrictions that only allow users 18 years of age and older to opt into Facebook Dating.
Your Thoughts
Are you interested in Facebook Dating? Do you like the idea that you wouldn’t be matched with your current Facebook friends? Will you be filling out your Secret Crush list?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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* Love on the Rocks image (edited) courtesy of Timo Stern via Unsplash
I would be extremely careful with Facebook dating. I think you are asking for problems.
Chris
Hi Chris, Great point. As with any online dating service, users should be extremely cautious when trying to connect with someone.