Facebook Dating is a relatively new feature on Facebook that allows users to create a separate dating profile to meet and connect with others who also have the feature enabled. It is designed for people looking to find a romantic partner. Some key things to know about Facebook Dating:
- It is only available in certain countries/regions where Facebook has rolled out the feature
- You must be 18+ years old to access and use it
- It is a opt-in experience – you have to specifically enable Facebook Dating on your account
- Your regular Facebook profile is separate from your Facebook Dating profile
- You can choose to match with friends-of-friends or strangers
So in order to make Facebook Dating available, there are a few requirements:
Be in an Eligible Country
Facebook has gradually rolled out the dating feature since 2018, but it is still not globally available. The list of eligible countries includes:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vietnam
So the first step is making sure you are located in one of the above countries. If you are not in an eligible country, Facebook Dating will not be available.
Update to the Latest Version of Facebook
In order to access the dating feature, you need to make sure you are running the latest version of the Facebook app on your mobile device or have the latest desktop version.
- On iPhone or Android, go to the App Store or Google Play Store to check for any Facebook app updates.
- On desktop, make sure you are using the most up-to-date browser version.
Facebook is continually tweaking and improving the dating experience, so staying updated is key.
Be 18 Years or Older
Due to the romantic nature of Facebook Dating, it is only permitted for adult users who are 18 years or older. Facebook does not allow minors under 18 to access the dating feature.
When you first try to access Dating, Facebook will check your listed birthday and age on your profile to confirm you meet the age requirement. If you are under 18, you will be blocked from using Facebook Dating.
Enable Location Services
For Facebook Dating to work properly and show you potential matches in your area, it needs permission to access your device’s location services.
On mobile:
- Go to your phone Settings > Facebook > Location.
- Make sure Location Access is enabled for Facebook.
On desktop:
- When first opening Facebook Dating it will request permission to access your location info. Make sure to click Allow.
Granting location access allows Facebook Dating to show distance between you and potential matches. You can also filter matches by geographic distance.
Activate Facebook Dating
Once you’ve met the eligibility requirements above, it’s time to activate Facebook Dating:
- Open the Facebook app on your mobile device or visit Facebook.com on desktop.
- Tap on the menu icon in the top right and select Dating.
- On desktop, click the down arrow icon in the top right and choose Dating.
- Follow the prompts to begin setting up your Dating profile.
- Add your dating preferences like gender, age range, location radius, etc.
- Confirm your Dating profile photos.
- Facebook Dating is now enabled for you to start matching with people!
It’s a pretty straightforward activation process as long as you meet the requirements. Facebook walks you through step-by-step guides to set up your preferences and profile.
Choose Your Match Preferences
Facebook Dating allows you to customize exactly what you’re looking for in a potential match. You can filter by:
- Gender – Man, Woman, or Both
- Age range
- Maximum distance radius from your location
- Height range
- Relationship status – Single or Divorced
- Parental status – Has children or doesn’t have children
- Religion
- Political views
You also have the option to filter specifically for people who are friends of friends, or open your preferences to match with anyone. Tinkering with these filters can help narrow or expand your dating pool.
Example Match Preferences
| Preference | Filter |
|---|---|
| Gender | Women |
| Age Range | 25-35 |
| Maximum Distance | 25 miles |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Parental Status | Doesn’t have children |
This filters for single women aged 25-35 within 25 miles who don’t have children.
Build Your Dating Profile
Your Facebook Dating profile is separate from your normal Facebook profile. You will need to add specific profile photos and details for prospective matches to view.
Adding Photos
Facebook pulls photos posted to your regular Facebook account to populate your dating profile. When setting up, you can review and choose which ones to include. Tips for dating photos:
- Use at least 3-5 clear, recent photos of yourself
- Include a full-body shot and close-up of your face
- Showcase interests and hobbies
- Avoid group shots or photos with children
- Pick high-quality, well-lit photos
It’s important to provide a good representation of your appearance and lifestyle. Don’t just pick your prettiest selfies – variety gives matches a fuller view.
Filling Out Profile Details
Facebook gives you text boxes to describe yourself and what you’re looking for in a match. You can choose to fill these out or leave blank. Useful details include:
- Job and education
- Age
- Location
- Interests and hobbies
- Relationship goals
- Personality traits
Don’t overshare deeply personal details here. Focus on core identifiers and lighthearted facts people would want to know when considering you as a potential date.
Sample Dating Profile
| Photos | Description |
|---|---|
| Photo 1: Headshot of smiling wearing dress shirt | Just a laid-back, adventure-loving guy looking for someone to share life’s random moments and maker memories. Auditor by day, world explorer on evenings and weekends. Let’s swap travel stories over coffee! |
| Photo 2: Hiking a mountain trail | |
| Photo 3: Playing guitar on stage | |
| Photo 4: With friends at outdoor brewery |
This profile uses a variety of photos showcasing interests, along with a lighthearted written description.
Start Interacting with Matches
Once your dating profile is set up, Facebook will begin suggesting potential matches. You can begin browsing and interacting right away.
- Like profiles – Browse recommended profiles. Like ones you’re interested in to match with that person.
- Message matches – When you and another person like each other’s profiles, you’ll match and can start sending direct messages.
- Respond to prompts – Share stories, photos or quick reactions in a interactive feed.
- Plan virtual dates – Video chat with matches directly in the app.
Take the initiative to like and message matches that catch your eye. Be responsive when people show interest in you as well. This moves things off the app and onto real life dates faster!
Safety Tips for Facebook Dating
While Facebook Dating can be fun and lead to meaningful connections, it’s important to keep safety in mind when meeting matches in person:
- Meet for the first time in a populated, public place
- Drive yourself or arrange your own transportation to and from the date
- Let friends know who you’re meeting, when, and where
- Keep dates short and limited for early meetups
- Stay sober – avoid heavy drinking on first dates
- Keep personal details private until you develop trust
- Watch for red flags like anger, controlling behavior, or pressuring you
- Trust your instincts – leave if you ever feel uncomfortable
Using common sense goes a long way in protecting your safety and wellbeing. Don’t feel pressured to give out your phone number or meet up right away. Take your time getting to know matches through messaging before meeting face-to-face.
Deleting Facebook Dating Profile
If you ever decide Facebook Dating isn’t for you, deactivating your profile is easy:
- Go to the Facebook Dating section in your mobile app or desktop site.
- Tap or click on the 3 line menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” then “Disable Dating Profile”.
- Confirm disabling your dating profile when prompted.
This will immediately stop your profile from appearing for others. You can always reenable it in the future if you change your mind.
Conclusion
Facebook Dating offers a convenient way to meet potential romantic partners right from your Facebook app. To access it, simply make sure you’re in an eligible country, update Facebook, enable location services, and activate Dating in the menu. Customize your preferences, upload flattering photos, and provide some conversational profile details. Once set up, start liking profiles, messaging mutual matches, and planning dates. Stay safe when meeting in real life, and disable your dating profile if you don’t find success. With over 1.5 billion active users on Facebook, the possibilities are endless for finding a love connection.