Facebook Dating is a new feature within the Facebook app that allows users to match with potential romantic partners. To activate Facebook Dating and start seeing potential matches, there are a few steps you need to take.
Check Eligibility for Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating is currently available in the following countries:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Czechia
- Ecuador
- France
- Germany
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Uruguay
- USA
- Vietnam
To use Facebook Dating, you must live in one of these countries and be at least 18 years old. Your Facebook account must also meet the following requirements:
- Have at least 50 friends
- Have an account that is at least 1 day old
- Have a profile with at least 1 photo, your gender, and your preferred gender to see
If you meet these eligibility requirements, you will see an option to activate Facebook Dating within your Facebook app.
Activate Facebook Dating
Here are the steps to activate Facebook Dating:
- Open the Facebook app on your mobile device and tap on the menu icon in the top right corner (the 3 horizontal lines)
- Scroll down and tap on “See More”
- Tap on “Facebook Dating”
- Review the introduction screen and tap “Get Started”
- Confirm your location services for Facebook Dating
- Review and agree to the Facebook Dating Terms and Data Policy
- Tap “Turn On”
Once you complete these steps, Facebook Dating will be activated and ready for you to start seeing potential matches.
Complete Your Dating Profile
After activating Facebook Dating, you will be prompted to complete your dating profile before you can start seeing matches. Here are the steps to complete your profile:
- Add at least 1 photo for your dating profile. This will be the main photo people see when viewing your profile.
- Answer the prompts to describe yourself and what you’re looking for in a match.
- Choose up to 9 other photos to add to your profile. These give potential matches a better idea of what you’re interested in.
- Indicate your gender and the gender(s) you are interested in matching with.
- Tap “Show Me”
Completing all these steps will make your dating profile visible to potential matches. You can always add or edit profile information later if you want to update anything.
Adjust Dating Preferences
Within the Facebook Dating section, you can adjust various preferences to ensure the potential matches you see fit what you’re looking for. Here are some preferences you can customize:
- Location – Adjust the maximum distance that potential matches can be from your location.
- Age – Select the age range you want to see matches within.
- Gender – Choose which gender(s) you want to be matched with.
- Profile – Indicate profile details you would like potential matches to have filled out.
- Likes & Interests – Select interests you want potential matches to share with you.
Adjust these to filter your potential matches according to your preferences. You can change them at any time as your preferences evolve.
Start Viewing Potential Matches
Once you have activated Facebook Dating, completed your profile, and adjusted your preferences, you’re ready to start viewing potential matches! Here is how matching works:
- You will see potential matches one at a time. View their profile to see if you are interested.
- Tap the heart icon if you want to indicate you are interested in that person. This will send them a notification.
- If they add you to their Secret Crush list as well, it will be a match! You can then message each other in a special inbox.
- If they don’t add you to their list, they won’t know you have a crush on them.
As you like profiles, Facebook’s algorithm will continue refining and showing you new potential matches based on your activity. Be patient and engage with profiles that interest you, and Facebook Dating will learn your preferences.
Use Secret Crush
A unique feature within Facebook Dating is the ability to add up to 9 existing Facebook friends or Instagram followers to your Secret Crush list. Here’s how it works:
- Tap on “Secret Crush” in the Facebook Dating tab
- Start typing the name of your crush and select them when they appear
- This will add your crush to the list. You can add up to 9 crushes.
- If your crush adds you to their Secret Crush list as well, it will notify you both that you have a match!
The other person will not know you have a crush on them until they add you to their own Secret Crush list too. If it ends up not being a match, they will not be notified at all. This is a great low-pressure way to see if someone you already know may be interested in you as well.
Interact With Matches
When you and another user both add each other to your Secret Crush lists, you will be notified of the match. This allows you to start interacting within a private inbox.
Here are some ways you can interact with your matches:
- Send chat messages
- Send photos, gifs, or other multimedia
- Like or react to their messages and media
- Unmatch if you are no longer interested
The great thing about matching on Facebook Dating is that you already know you have some mutual friends or interests based on your existing Facebook connections and profile. This provides built-in talking points to help break the ice and get the conversation started!
Stay Safe When Meeting Matches
If you choose to meet up with someone from Facebook Dating, here are some important safety tips to keep in mind:
- Meet in a public place for the first date. Do not go to their home or invite them to yours.
- Drive yourself to and from the first meeting. Do not depend on your date for transportation.
- Tell a friend where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Do not share overly personal information until you know the person better.
- Watch your drink at all times and do not accept drinks that you did not see poured.
- Have an exit strategy if the date is not going well and you want to leave early.
- Trust your instincts – if something seems wrong, it probably is. Leave if you feel unsafe.
Using common sense when meeting someone new can help keep you safe and avoid unwanted situations. Take it slowly until you really get to know the person and determine they are trustworthy.
Delete or Disable Facebook Dating
If you decide Facebook Dating is not for you, it’s easy to delete your dating profile or disable the dating feature entirely:
- Delete Profile – This erases all your Facebook Dating information and activity, but leaves the feature enabled.
- Disable Dating – This turns off Facebook Dating so it is no longer visible in your app. Your profile remains in case you change your mind later.
Here are the steps to delete or disable Facebook Dating:
- Open Facebook Dating
- Tap the 3 line menu icon in the top right corner
- Select either “Delete Profile” or “Turn Off Dating”
- Confirm your choice
Your Facebook Dating presence will then be erased or hidden based on the option you chose. You can always re-enable it later if you change your mind.
Conclusion
Activating Facebook Dating allows you to start meeting potential romantic partners right within the Facebook app. Simply check your eligibility, activate the feature, complete your dating profile, adjust your preferences, and start interacting with matches. Unique features like Secret Crush make it easier to connect with people you may already know and be interested in. With safety tips in mind, meeting someone from Facebook Dating can lead to meaningful relationships rooted in mutual friends and interests. Give it a try and see who you may discover!