A new form of dating is emerging in the digital age, and it’s called Facebook Dating. While it may sound strange to meet potential partners through a social media platform rather than at a bar or during happy hour, you should know that millions of people are already using this feature. If you’re looking to meet new people, this article will help you understand everything you need to know about Facebook Dating.
As our lives move online, more and more dating websites and apps have started popping up all over the internet. Some of these sites are niche-based and cater to people who have certain interests in common.
Others are more general, with millions of users from all walks of life. The popularity of online dating has increased significantly in the last decade — but so has the risk involved with meeting strangers from the internet in real life.
What is Facebook Dating?
Facebook Dating is a new feature from the Facebook team that lets you find other singles based on your interests. Simply like or comment on the posts in your feed to indicate what you’re interested in. You can also use the search feature to find people nearby or around the world who share your interests.
Facebook Dating is designed to help you find people you’re interested in who are also interested in you. When you start a conversation with someone and both of you are interested, you’ll get a notification. You can decide to move the conversation to Messenger, where you can talk more privately.
You can also block someone if you don’t want them to contact you again. Facebook Dating is different than the standard “Friend Finder” feature because it lets you choose who you want to search for based on their interests and likes.
With the Friend Finder, you can only search for your friends, classmates, and colleagues. You can’t find people who are not already connected to you on Facebook.
How Does Facebook Dating Work?
Facebook dating working principle is pretty simple and easy. The dating feature is located within the facebook platform and thus, if you don’t have a facebook account, you will need to create one for yourself because you can access the feature.
Interestingly, the moment you sign up for a facebook dating profile account and follow all what you are required, you will start getting matches automatically. What is then required of you is to check through your list of matches and then like the profile you want. The moment they like you back, you can start a conversation from there.
Thus, facebook doesn’t put its users through the stress of searching for people. In view of that, there is nothing like you can search for new people to date by clicking on the “Dating” tab. Select the “Start Dating” option and choose the category that best describes you. You can select topics like “Looking For My Future Spouse”, “Looking For a Friends With Benefits Situation”, “I Want My Next Big Thing To Be a New Best Friend”, and more.
Once you select the category that best describes you, Facebook will show you other people who have selected that category as well. If you like what you see, simply interact with their posts.
Who Can Use Facebook Dating?
Facebook Dating is available to everyone who is 18 years or older and has a Facebook account. If you’re younger than 18, you can’t use Facebook Dating — not even with your parent’s permission. While Facebook Dating is available to everyone, remember that not all people on Facebook are your age.
It’s not uncommon to meet people who are significantly older than you, younger than you, or even minors on Facebook. And even though Facebook has strict rules about minors using the site, minors can (and do) find a way to use Facebook Dating.
How to Use Facebook’s Dating Feature?
As soon as you’re done signing up for the Facebook Dating feature, you can start searching for people.
Interestingly, all you need to is to add your location as well as your interest so that facebook will carry out matching for you. This will help you avoid the stress of searching for people. Like the processes described below:
Select the category that best describes you. You can then either like or comment on posts or search for people near you or around the world who share your interests. When someone likes your post or comment, you’ll get a notification.
You can start a conversation with them to find out whether you two are interested in each other. When both of you are interested, you’ll get a notification. You can then move the conversation to Messenger and talk more privately. Remember to only go as far as you’re comfortable with.
If you feel like the conversation is getting inappropriate, you can block them and they won’t be able to contact you again.
Facebook Dating Safety Tips
Remember to use the same common sense when using Facebook Dating that you would use when meeting people in real life. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind while using Facebook Dating: Avoid giving out your real name and other personal information too early in the conversation. You don’t know who you’re talking to, so there’s no need to put all your cards on the table right away.
If the other person pressures you to share private information, end the conversation and block them. Only use your real Facebook account. There are many fake Facebook accounts peddling dating services and it’s not worth the risk to your safety to use a fake account. Be extra careful when talking about meeting in person.
Don’t disclose your address, name of your workplace, or other information that could be used to identify you in real life. If the person pressures you to meet in person, end the conversation and block them.
The Dangers of Facebook Dating: How to Stay Safe
One of the most common complaints about Facebook Dating is that many users have encountered people who are looking to scam them. Scammers can be anyone: a 13-year-old kid who wants your information or a grown adult who wants to use you for financial gain. And unfortunately, it’s next to impossible to determine who is real and who isn’t before you start talking to them.
The best way to avoid being scammed while using Facebook Dating is to follow these safety tips: Never send money to someone you met online, no matter how much they promise they love you. Never give out your personal information (address, phone number, etc.) to someone you’ve just met online.
Don’t meet anyone for the first time in a secluded area (unless it’s a friend you’ve known in real life for a long time).
Can You Meet People for Real Life Relationships?
Theoretically, you can meet people you’re interested in for real life relationships through Facebook Dating. However, you should keep in mind that real life relationships are a lot more complex than online relationships. There are many factors that affect real life relationships, including compatibility, personality, and values.
You may be able to find someone you’re interested in on Facebook, but you may not be able to see eye to eye with this person in real life. There are many success stories of people meeting on Facebook Dating, but there are also stories of people being scammed or finding themselves in dangerous situations. It’s up to you to decide whether Facebook Dating is worth the risk.
Should You Try Facebook Dating?
Facebook Dating may not be right for everyone. If you’re shy and prefer keeping to yourself, you may want to steer clear of Facebook Dating and stick with traditional online dating. If you want to try Facebook Dating, follow these tips:
- Be yourself: Don’t try to be someone you’re not just because you’re on Facebook. Just like in real life, you need to be yourself.
- Don’t try too hard: Don’t comment on posts with silly pick-up lines. Don’t like posts just for the sake of liking something. Don’t worry if someone doesn’t like your post. If someone likes your post, if they engage with you, or if they comment on your posts, they’re interested.
Is Online Dating Worth It?
Online dating has become increasingly popular in recent years, and many people have found love thanks to it. However, online dating also comes with risks, especially if you decide to use dating websites or apps that aren’t dedicated to finding relationships.
Facebook Dating is one of the safest ways to use Facebook’s dating feature. As long as you follow the safety tips listed in this article, you have nothing to worry about.