Facebook Dating is a new feature within the Facebook app that allows users to match and connect with potential romantic partners. When setting up a Facebook Dating profile, users have the option to share their location to enable location-based matching. However, sharing location is not actually required to use Facebook Dating.
Quick answers:
- Yes, you can use Facebook Dating without sharing your location.
- Location sharing for Facebook Dating is optional, not mandatory.
- If you opt out of location sharing, you will still be able to match and chat with people, but matches won’t be location-based.
- Facebook Dating still utilizes your broader location settings for your profile and preferences.
- You can control location access granularly for Facebook Dating separate from your main Facebook app.
Why location is optional
When Facebook Dating was first introduced, location sharing was positioned as an important part of helping find matches “in your area.” However, Facebook soon realized that not everyone was comfortable sharing their exact location, especially with a dating app.
In response to user feedback, Facebook made location sharing for Dating completely optional in October 2019. Users can now opt out of location access while still being able to use the Dating feature.
Facebook emphasized that location sharing was never mandatory for Dating. The company explained the rationale behind making it optional:
“We heard from users that they want more control over sharing their location with Facebook Dating. We worked hard to develop a location-sharing toggle that’s easy to find and simple to use, so you can easily choose to turn it on or off…We’ll continue to listen to user feedback to make Facebook Dating the best possible experience.”
The decision to make location fully optional highlights Facebook’s commitment to giving users more control over their privacy when using Facebook platforms for dating and relationships.
How Facebook Dating works without location
If you choose not to share your precise location data with Facebook Dating, you will still be able to use the service and match with people, but your matches will not be based on geographic proximity.
Here is an overview of how Facebook Dating functions without location access:
Profile and preferences
Facebook will still utilize your broader location info, such as current city, to power certain features. For example, your city is shown on your Dating profile so matches can get a general sense of where you are based.
Your location city also informs the “Distance” preference so you can choose how far away potential matches can be. However, without precise location, Distance will be approximate.
Discovering and matching
Without location sharing, Facebook will not populate your feed with matches that are geographically close to you. However, their algorithms will use other signals from your profile to recommend compatible matches.
You can still manually browse all users who fit your preferences. You will also appear in other users’ feeds if you are a potential match for them based on shared interests, networks, etc.
Matched users can chat regardless of location, as long as they fit your specified age, gender, and distance preferences.
Meetups
Facebook Dating’s interactive “Meetup” feature works by proposing real-time local spots where users can rendezvous with their matches.
Obviously Meetups will be disabled if you have not shared your specific location with Facebook Dating. But the rest of the matching and chatting functionality remains intact.
Should you share your location?
Whether you opt in to location sharing for Facebook Dating comes down to your own preferences around privacy and convenience:
Pros
- Location enables matches in your immediate geographic area.
- Seeing distance makes coordination of in-person dates/meetups simpler.
- Location powers certain features like Meetups.
Cons
- Sharing location data presents privacy risks.
- You may get unwanted attention from matches who focus on proximity.
- Location matching can feel restrictive.
Here are some factors to consider as you decide whether to enable location services:
| Your situation | Use location? |
|---|---|
| You live in a small town and prefer to only match nearby | Yes |
| You value privacy and do not want to share location | No |
| You want to cast a wide net and care less about proximity | No |
| You travel frequently and don’t have a fixed location | No |
The choice comes down to aligning location access with your personal dating motivations, priorities, and comfort level.
How to manage location settings
If you decide not to share your location, disabling it is straightforward within Facebook Dating’s settings:
- Open the Facebook Dating tab within the Facebook app.
- Tap the profile icon to open your Dating profile.
- Scroll down and tap “Edit Profile.”
- Scroll down to the “Location” section.
- Toggle the “Share precise location” switch off.
Conversely, if you initially opted out of location but change your mind, you can enable it any time via the same settings path.
Beyond the on/off toggle, there are a couple additional options:
- Only share with matches: Restricts your location visibility so only matched users can view where you are.
- Stop sharing after: Puts an expiration on location access after a set time period.
These settings allow you to limit exposure and prevent indefinitely sharing your location. Adjust them as needed for your comfort level.
Separate from main app
It’s important to note that the location access setting for Facebook Dating is completely separate from the main Facebook app.
Disabling or limiting location for Dating does not affect how Facebook uses location in features like check-ins or location tagging.
You have granular control to only limit location for dating purposes while keeping it enabled everywhere else in Facebook if you wish. This separation of permissions gives you flexibility and privacy.
Troubleshooting issues
Here are some common issues that may arise if you opt out of location services for Facebook Dating and how to address them:
Profiles outside your Distance preference
Without location, Distance filtering becomes less precise. You may see some profiles that appear farther away than your max Distance setting.
In this case, you can simply skip/X out on those profiles to filter them out of your feed based on the approximate Distance.
Can’t access Meetups
As mentioned above, Meetups requires sharing your location to suggest nearby hangouts. If you have disabled location, Meetups will be unavailable.
If you want to unlock Meetups, you would need to re-enable location sharing within Dating settings.
No local matches
Even without precise location, you should still see recommendations of potential matches in your broader area. But if you notice a lack of any nearby profiles:
- Double check that your Distance filter is not set too low (e.g. 1 mile). Expanding it will show you more users.
- Make sure your profile itself reflects your general location properly.
- Be patient. It may take time for the algorithm to learn and expand your recommendations.
Adjusting filters and allowing time for new matches to populate can help surface more local prospects.
Conclusion
While sharing location can enhance certain features, Facebook Dating does give you the flexibility to use the service without turning on precise location access. Opting out limits proximity matching, but enables greater privacy control.
Evaluate your priorities and comfort level to decide if you should enable location. You can always change the setting later as your needs evolve. With granular permissions separate from the main Facebook app, you are in full control over how and when Facebook Dating utilizes your whereabouts.