There’s no denying the fact that people are spending more and more time on social media. In the past few years, we have seen a steep rise in dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and so on.
There is an abundance of research that shows how these dating apps drive interactions among young adults. Hence, it comes as no surprise that these platforms are gaining traction at a rapid pace.
However, it isn’t just about seeing other people online and swiping right if you like someone or left if you don’t. These platforms have recently added another layer with ‘Facebook Dating’ feature. So here we will look into what exactly is Facebook Dating feature and how can it help users find the love of their life?
What is Facebook Dating?
The Facebook Dating feature lets you meet people, go on dates, and find people you might want to start a relationship with — all from within Facebook. It includes a new dating feature within the main Facebook app and a standalone dating app called “Are You Interested” (AYI).
The dating feature will be opt-in only and will be available for people ages 18 and up in the U.S. and will be available globally in the coming months. The dating feature within the main Facebook app will allow users to create an dating profile, browse and Like other profiles, and send and receive messages.
There will be an inbox that shows all your dating messages and an Outbox where you can compose your responses to messages. The dating feature on the Facebook app will be very similar to Tinder and other dating apps, but will include more robust profiles with more details and information.
How does Facebook Dating Work?
You can start searching for dates or companions by clicking on the “Dating” tab on the Facebook app. Once you do so, you will be directed to create a dating profile.
The process to create your profile is similar to the process of creating a profile for a job hunt. You will be asked to provide details about your education, work, interests, and a few other things. Once these details are filled in, you can start browsing other dating profiles.
Depending on the dating profile, you will be asked to swipe right for a “yes” and swipe left for a “no”. If someone likes your dating profile, you will be notified. You can click on the notification and start chatting with them. However, the dating on Facebook app is yet to be rolled out so you can only imagine how it works.
Why is Facebook adding a dating feature?
It appears that Facebook’s core product has stagnated, with the company’s number of daily active users in the U.S. and Canada dropping for the first time ever in the third quarter of 2018.
Meanwhile, the company’s other social apps, like Messenger and Instagram, are growing and becoming more important. The majority of relationships start on Facebook, so it makes sense to extend the experience by letting people connect and explore relationships on Facebook, too.
The dating feature is one of Facebook’s latest attempts at broadening its appeal, in the wake of the company’s unending scandals related to fake news, data privacy, and misinformation on the platform.
Who Can Use Facebook Dating?
Any user above the age of 18 who is single and actively using Facebook can use the dating feature. It is available for both Android and iOS users. If you are already using AYI, you can easily switch to Facebook Dating.
How to use Facebook Dating?
Facebook Dating will have an inbox that will show all the dating messages you receive. You can then click on any message and send a reply to the sender. You can also choose to ignore the message.
You can make use of the profile option and select the ‘Dating’ option to create your dating profile. You can fill in as many details as you wish, but it would be best to keep it short and simple.
Once you are done with the profile, you can start browsing other dating profiles. Facebook will give you two options – swipe right if you like the person or left if you don’t like the person. If you like the person and they like you back, you can start a conversation with them.
Pros of Using Facebook Dating
The dating feature is built into your main Facebook app and hence, you don’t have to download an app or go to another platform to find love. You will also be able to see dating notifications and messages within the notification tab.
If you are worried about privacy, you don’t have to be. This feature is completely opt-in and hence, you have the option to either choose to completely shut it down or to just have it on for certain people.
You can choose to use the dating feature on the main Facebook app.
Cons of Using Facebook Dating
The biggest problem with this dating feature is the trust and security factor. Facebook has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons when it comes to data privacy, so many people are worried about this feature’s security.
There is no confirmation about whether Facebook will be using your dating data for advertisement and marketing purposes. If it does, it can create problems for people who are looking for a serious relationship.
You might also end up finding people you know and don’t want to date, which can be problematic as well.
Why Facebook Dating Makes Sense For You
Starting a relationship on Facebook might seem strange, but it has a lot going for it. You’ll be able to see who likes you and message them with the push of a button, which makes dating much easier.
You’ll know when you have a new message or like, so you don’t have to constantly be checking your page.
You’ll be able to message people in your network, which can make it easier to start a conversation, as you probably have things in common. You’ll also be able to decide who can see your dating activity, which means you’ll feel more in control of your privacy.
Facebook Dating Safety Tips
- First, be aware of the fact that Facebook Dating is new and untested, so proceed with caution. There is no way to know for certain what will happen to your data.
- Second, don’t use your real name or picture when creating your Facebook Dating profile. You can choose to use a fake name and picture so that you remain anonymous.
- Third, don’t give out any personal information such as your place of residence, phone number, email address, or anything that can be used to track you down.
- Fourth, meet your date in a public place and make sure you tell a friend where you are going. It is better to be safe than sorry.
- Fifth, keep in mind that this is a public forum, so behave accordingly. Don’t post anything that can get you or anyone else in trouble.
You Can Still Use Facebook While Dating
There are many people who are worried about whether they can continue using Facebook while dating. The good news is that you can still use Facebook even if you are in a relationship.
Facebook dating is a feature within the facebook app. However, some persons are of the guess that all you have to do is to switch the dating feature off. Switching it off will show that you are not interested in dating anyone at the moment. So, if you are looking for love, don’t forget to click on the dating feature. This feature is only available on the main Facebook app and AYI app for now.
So, make sure you are using one of those apps to experience the Facebook Dating feature. We hope you made an informed decision and now know exactly what the Facebook Dating feature is and how it works.
Hence, you can decide whether you want to date or not. If yes, then you can go ahead and make use of this feature.
Interestingly, facebook dating feature is located within the facebook main app and not yet available on desktop or website per se. To start using faceook dating feature, you will need to first off, create a profile account. Thus, your relationship has nothing to do with dating on facebook.
The reason being that you can decide not to create a faceook dating profile.
Here are the steps you need to follow to easily create a facebook dating profile right away:
- Go to the Facebook app.
- Tap on the menu icon at the upper right side of the screen and click on “Dating”.
- Note that if you don’t see the Dating option, you’ll probably need to tap the “See More” option before you’ll be brought to Facebook’s dating section
- Click “Get Started” to create a profile, then follow the on-screen instructions. You’ll need to indicate your preferred gender, region, and a decent photo of yourself.
- Facebook will automatically create a dating profile for you by skimming your non-dating profile
- Click on the “Preview Profile” option to customize your profile to your liking by removing items, adding images, and adding Instagram posts
- Click “Done” when you’re finished.