Facebook Dating is a relatively new dating feature within the Facebook app that allows users to match with potential romantic partners. One of the core aspects of Facebook Dating is that it primarily suggests matches from outside of a user’s friend circle on Facebook. This is done to avoid any awkwardness that could arise from showing users their existing Facebook friends as potential matches. However, some users are curious whether there is any way to see or match with their Facebook friends on Facebook Dating. This article will explore whether Facebook Dating has a friends option and how users can navigate matching with people they already know on the platform.
Does Facebook Dating Show Friends as Suggested Matches?
The primary way Facebook Dating recommends potential matches is by showing users people who are not already their Facebook friends. When setting up a Facebook Dating profile, users indicate which of their Facebook friends they are interested in seeing as potential matches. However, Facebook Dating does not automatically show any of those selected friends in the list of suggested matches. This prevents any awkward scenarios where a user is shown their close friends as dating options without consent from both individuals.
So in summary, no – Facebook Dating does not automatically show any of your existing Facebook friends in the list of suggested matches. Users have the choice to indicate interest in friends for dating purposes, but those friends will not pop up as recommendations without additional action taken.
Can You Match With Facebook Friends on Facebook Dating?
While Facebook friends are not displayed as suggested matches, there are still ways to potentially match with friends using Facebook Dating. Here are two ways users can match with their Facebook friends on the dating platform:
Mutually Select Each Other as Interested in Dating
If two Facebook friends both indicate through their Facebook Dating profile that they are interested in each other as potential dating matches, then Facebook Dating will allow those two individuals to match.
So for example, if Sally and John are friends on Facebook and they both secretly like each other, they can use the Facebook Dating “Secret Crush” feature to indicate their interest. If both Sally and John add each other as Secret Crushes, then Facebook Dating will let them match with each other and open up a line of communication.
This allows two friends to match on Facebook Dating, but only if the interest is mutual between both individuals. One friend selecting another as a Secret Crush is not enough – both friends have to add each other for a match to occur.
Manually Search for Friends
The other way two Facebook friends can potentially match on Facebook Dating is by manually searching for each other’s profiles. Friends will not show up as suggested matches, but they are still present on the dating platform with their own profiles.
So if someone wanted to find their friend’s profile, they could search by name or filter by friends of friends. Once they find their friend’s dating profile, they can indicate interest which will notify the other person. If that friend also indicates interest back, then the two can match and message each other.
Again, this allows friends to match but only if the interest is mutual. One friend can’t simply match with another without consent.
Why Doesn’t Facebook Dating Automatically Match Friends?
Facebook likely avoids auto-matching friends to prevent unwanted, awkward situations for its users. Some key reasons why friends are not automatically suggested matches include:
Avoids One-Sided Interests
Showing friends as potential matches could reveal one user’s romantic interest in a friend when that friend has no mutual interest. This could negatively impact the friendship. Requiring both friends to indicate interest protects against revealing one-sided crushes.
Prevents Unwanted Advances
Automatically suggesting friends as matches could lead to unwanted advances. Friends may not want to be hit on or asked out by other friends. Requiring mutual indication of interest helps avoid unwanted scenarios.
Maintains User Privacy
Users may not want all their friends knowing they are seeking dates on Facebook Dating. Showing friends as matches or suggestions would expose a user’s dating profile to their friend circle without consent. Enabling users to select which friends can see their profile maintains privacy.
Reduces Pressure on Friendships
Feeling pressured to date a friend suggested by Facebook Dating could make friendships awkward. The opt-in matching eliminates pressure and ensures both friends are interested.
Pros of Matching With Friends on Facebook Dating
While auto-matching friends is avoided, there are some benefits to the opt-in friends matching feature:
Comfort in Familiarity
Some people prefer to date individuals they already know as friends. The familiarity can increase comfort levels for first dates.
Existing Chemistry
Sometimes friendships naturally lead to romantic feelings over time. Facebook Dating allows users to explore chemistry that may already exist with a friend.
Shared Interests
Friends often share common interests and social circles. This can make romantic compatibility more likely compared to matches with strangers.
More Context for Compatibility
With friends, users don’t have to start from scratch getting to know each other. The existing friendship provides context on compatibility.
Easier Introduction
Introducing a dating partner to friends can be challenging. If users date an existing friend, there is no need for awkward friend introductions down the line.
Cons of Matching With Friends on Facebook Dating
Here are some potential downsides of dating Facebook friends:
Risk Damaging the Friendship
If the dating relationship doesn’t work out, it could negatively impact the friendship long-term or permanently.
Impacts the Friend Group Dynamic
Dating a friend could make the broader friend group feel awkward, especially if the dating relationship ends.
Harder to Meet New People
Dating friends can prevent users from matching with new people outside their existing social circles.
Creates Awkwardness if Interest Isn’t Mutual
Expressing interest in a friend who doesn’t reciprocate could damage the friendship by creating awkwardness.
Messy if the Breakup is Bad
A bad breakup with a friend could divide the broader friend group. The fallout can be more severe than with a stranger.
Safety Tips for Matching With Friends
If you do decide to match with a Facebook friend on Facebook Dating, here are some tips to maintain safety:
Take it Slow
Don’t rush the transition from friends to dating. Ease into the romantic element gradually and give yourselves adjustment time.
Communicate Expectations
Discuss whether you are looking for something casual or more serious so you’re aligned. Manage expectations upfront.
Keep Some Boundaries
Even as you get closer romantically, maintain some personal boundaries around privacy, space and independence.
Don’t Rush Physical Intimacy
Build chemistry gradually. Don’t hurry physical intimacy before both people are completely comfortable.
Plan Safe First Dates
Opt for public, low-pressure first dates like going for coffee rather than being alone unsupervised. Take precautions.
Discuss a Fallback Plan
Address how you’ll handle things if one person develops deeper feelings. Have a plan to save the core friendship.
How Do I Adjust My Facebook Dating Preferences for Friends?
If you decide you are open to being matched with friends on Facebook Dating, here is how to adjust the preferences:
- Open the Facebook Dating app and tap on your profile icon
- Tap “Preferences” to open your matching preferences
- Tap “Friends of Friends and Friends”
- Check the box next to “Show me to more friends of friends and friends”
- You can also select specific friends you are interested in
- Tap “Done” to save your preferences
This will enable your profile to be seen by friends of friends or specific friends you choose. But remember, you still have to mutually indicate interest in a friend in order to match with them directly.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook Dating does not automatically match you with your Facebook friends
- You can only match with friends if you mutually indicate interest in each other
- Matching with friends can be rewarding but also has risks like damaging the friendship
- Take safety precautions when pursuing a match with a Facebook friend
- Adjust your preferences to enable friends to find your dating profile and indicate interest
The Bottom Line
While Facebook Dating keeps your existing friends circle separate by default, there are options to match with friends if you both want to explore a romantic connection. This requires each person to opt-in through features like Secret Crush. Matching with friends can be a great way to explore existing chemistry, but also has downsides to consider. Approach friend matching thoughtfully, communicate along the way, and take precautions to maintain the core friendship, even if romance doesn’t ultimately work out.