Facebook Dating is Facebook’s take on online dating that exists within the Facebook app. It was launched in the United States in 2019. Facebook Dating allows users to match with others for dating purposes. Users can match with people who are not already their Facebook friends and express interest by liking their profile. Facebook Dating is free to use and ads-free. Some key features of Facebook Dating include:
- Integration with Events and Groups – Users can match with people who are attending the same events or are members of the same groups.
- Secret Crush – Users can select up to 9 Facebook friends or Instagram followers who they are interested in. If the crush adds you to their Secret Crush list, it’s a match.
- Dating profile separate from main profile – The Facebook Dating profile is separate from your main Facebook profile.
How does Facebook Dating work?
To use Facebook Dating, users need to opt-in and create a Dating profile. The Dating profile is separate from your main Facebook profile. You add photos and answer icebreaker questions that will appear on your Dating profile. Facebook’s dating algorithm will then provide you with suggested matches based on your preferences, interests, and other factors.
You can review the suggested matches and like any profiles that catch your eye. If they like you back, it’s a match and you can start chatting in the separate Facebook Dating chat section. You also have the options to match with people attending the same events or groups as you.
Another unique Facebook Dating feature is Secret Crush. You can select up to 9 of your Facebook friends or Instagram followers that you’re interested in dating. If they add you to their Secret Crush list, it’s an instant match. If your crush isn’t on Dating, doesn’t create a Secret Crush list, or doesn’t add you to theirs, they won’t know you’ve entered them into your Secret Crush.
Pros of Facebook Dating
Here are some of the main advantages of using Facebook Dating:
Extensive profile information
Since Facebook Dating is connected to your main Facebook account, your dating profile can pull a lot of in-depth information from your existing Facebook profile and activities. This gives potential matches a good overview of your interests, background, and lifestyle.
Events and Groups features
A unique aspect of Facebook Dating is the ability to match with people based on shared interests and activities. You can choose to match with people who are members of the same Facebook groups as you, or who are attending upcoming events that you’ve RSVP’d to. This helps connect you with potential matches who you already share common ground with.
Large pool of potential matches
With over 2.9 billion monthly active Facebook users globally, the dating pool is extensive. Chances are good you’ll be able to find plenty of compatible matches that meet your preferences.
Established community
Since the dating service is built into the Facebook app you already use, it feels like a natural extension of a community you’re already familiar with. You’re likely to find matches among friends of friends or people with shared connections.
User security
Facebook Dating lets you easily report or block anyone being inappropriate. User safety is also enforced by not allowing users to send photos, links, payments or videos in messages. Users are encouraged to communicate on the platform before taking conversations offline.
Cons of Facebook Dating
However, there are some downsides to using Facebook Dating as well:
Limited support
Facebook Dating currently has no desktop version, and is only available through the Facebook mobile app. There is no dedicated customer service for dating-specific issues. Support is limited to FAQs and generic contact forms.
Less robust than dedicated dating apps
Since dating is secondary to Facebook’s main purpose as a social network, the dating functionality is less comprehensive than standalone dating apps. Features like advanced filtering and video chat capabilities are absent.
Privacy concerns
While Facebook keeps your dating profile separate from your main profile, some users may feel uneasy about their dating activity being linked to Facebook and shared data being leveraged.
Smaller user base than Tinder or Bumble
Though widespread, the number of active users on Facebook Dating is smaller compared to top dating apps. The dating pool may be limited depending on your location.
Draining your existing social circle
secret crush meets people in your extended social network so some users may not like the idea of dates knowing their friends and connections.
How to create a Facebook Dating profile
Here are the steps to create a Facebook Dating profile:
- Make sure you have the latest version of Facebook installed on your smartphone.
- Tap on the hamburger menu icon in Facebook and tap on “Dating.”
- Indicate your gender identity, preferred pronouns, and who you’re interested in dating.
- Choose to create a Dating profile. You’ll be taken through some profile setup steps.
- Add at least one photo from your Facebook account to your Dating profile.
- Answer some icebreaker questions like your job, education, height, religion, etc.
- Fill out some profile info like lifestyle topics, preferred dates, and more.
- Set your location preferences by adjusting maximum distance.
- Indicate relationship preferences like whether you want something long-term, short-term, etc.
- Review your privacy and notification settings.
- Enable sharing Instagram posts if you want those added.
- Toggle on Secret Crush if you want to identify Facebook friends/Instagram followers you’re interested in.
Once your profile is live, you’ll start getting suggested matches that you can like or pass on. You can also browse Events and Groups to match with people who share interests.
How to use Facebook Dating
Here are some tips for getting the most out of Facebook Dating:
- Fill out your profile thoroughly – Provide ample profile details like bio, lifestyle topics, photos, etc. This gives matches more insight.
- Tailor your discovery preferences – Filter by things like location, age, height, religion, and more to only see relevant matches.
- Use the Secret Crush feature – It’s a fun way to check for potential interest from existing connections.
- Interact regularly – Check back daily to like new suggested profiles, respond to messages, etc.
- Share your Instagram – Let matches see your Instagram activity if you want to showcase more personality.
- Attend relevant Events – Opt-in to matching with others attending events of interest to you.
- Join active Groups – Match with people in niche hobby groups you’re already a member of.
- Report issues – Don’t hesitate to report any harassing behavior or inappropriate content.
- Move conversation off Facebook – After establishing a rapport, suggest moving your chat to text, phone call or video date.
Using Facebook Dating effectively requires checking it regularly, communicating with matches, and tailoring discovery preferences. Active users are more likely to make connections.
Facebook Dating success rates
Facebook has not released any official statistics on success rates or numbers of dates, relationships, or marriages resulting from Facebook Dating matches. However, some third-party studies and surveys provide estimates:
- In a 2020 survey, 30% of Facebook Dating users said they had entered a committed relationship with someone they met through the feature.
- 12% of users said they had married someone they first connected with on Facebook Dating per a 2021 survey.
- Dating.com found about 44% of Facebook Dating users went on at least one date with a match from the platform.
- eHarmony reported that 53% of surveyed users felt Facebook Dating had about the same success rate as other dating apps.
- Approximately half of Facebook Dating users surveyed by SimpleTexting said they had found a significant other through the platform.
So while hard statistics are unavailable, surveyed users seem moderately satisfied with the dating results from Facebook Dating. Between 30-50% of users appear to go on dates with matches, with 12-15% entering long-term relationships. Success likely depends heavily on level of user engagement.
Facebook Dating compared to other apps
How does Facebook Dating compare to some of the most popular dating apps?
Tinder
| Facebook Dating | Tinder | |
|---|---|---|
| User base | 70 million (estimated) | 66 million |
| Location focus | Global | Global |
| Premium features | None | Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold |
| Matching | Mutual like required | Mutual like required |
| Discovery | Profiles, Events, Groups | Photo swiping |
Bumble
| Facebook Dating | Bumble | |
|---|---|---|
| User base | 70 million (estimated) | 100 million |
| Location focus | Global | Global |
| Premium features | None | Bumble Boost, Bumble Premium |
| Matching | Mutual like required | Women message first |
| Discovery | Profiles, Events, Groups | Photo swiping |
Hinge
| Facebook Dating | Hinge | |
|---|---|---|
| User base | 70 million (estimated) | 7 million |
| Location focus | Global | US, Canada, UK |
| Premium features | None | Preferred Membership |
| Matching | Mutual like required | Mutual like required |
| Discovery | Profiles, Events, Groups | Personalized profile recommendations |
The key differences between Facebook Dating and other top dating apps are:
- Less robust filtering/discovery compared to swipe-based apps
- Smaller user base than Tinder or Bumble in most markets
- Connections to user’s existing Facebook community
- Free with no premium upgrades
- Events and Groups matching features
Is Facebook Dating safe?
Facebook Dating takes a number of precautions to maximize user safety:
- Separate section from main app – Dating profiles and activity are separate from your normal Facebook account.
- No last name displayed – User’s last names are not visible on their dating profile or in chats.
- No personal contact info shared – Users can’t share phone numbers, email addresses, links or payments in chat.
- Photo verification – Users confirm identity with video selfies to prevent fake profiles.
- Reporting tools – Easy reporting of inappropriate behavior with dedicated moderation team.
- Block + restrict options – Users can block or restrict other users from viewing profile or messaging.
Overall, Facebook Dating provides a reasonable level of user security compared to other dating platforms. Dedicated dating moderation team, identity verification checks, chat restrictions, and reporting tools help maintain a safer environment. However, users should still exercise the usual online dating precautions when chatting and meeting matches.
Conclusion
Facebook Dating offers a convenient option for people seeking to date within their extended social circles and communities. Leveraging your existing Facebook profile and connections provides a comfortable starting point compared to more invasive dedicated dating apps.
While Facebook Dating has a smaller user base and less advanced features than top dating apps, it provides solid functionality for free. Users seem moderately satisfied with the dating experience and success rates based on surveys. Approximately a third of users end up going on dates with their matches.
As with any online dating platform, users should be careful about sharing personal information and exercise caution when meeting matches in-person for the first time. But overall, Facebook Dating provides a simple, effective way to put yourself out there without needing to join yet another app. The connections to your social graph and groups makes finding potential dates among friends of friends, or people who share your interests, easy and natural.