Facebook Dating is a relatively new feature from Facebook that allows users to connect with potential romantic matches within their existing friend networks on Facebook. The feature launched in the United States in 2018 and has since expanded to dozens of countries around the world. However, Facebook Dating is not yet available everywhere, which raises the question – is Facebook Dating available in Italy?
Is Facebook Dating Currently Available in Italy?
As of October 2022, Facebook Dating is not yet available in Italy. The feature has launched in many European countries, including France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. However, Italy is not among the countries where Facebook has rolled out its dating feature so far.
Facebook has not provided any official timeline for when Facebook Dating may launch in Italy. The company seems to be taking a slow and steady approach to rolling out Facebook Dating, country by country, likely to work out any issues before expanding to new markets.
So for now, singles in Italy who want to use Facebook to find dates will have to rely on more traditional Facebook features like groups, events, and mutual friends for making connections. But the Facebook Dating launch could still come to Italy in the future.
What Countries Currently Have Access to Facebook Dating?
Here are some of the main countries where Facebook Dating is currently available as of October 2022:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Peru
- Ecuador
- Colombia
- Bolivia
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- El Salvador
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- India
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- Japan
- South Korea
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- Tonga
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- France
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Norway
- Denmark
- Finland
- Iceland
- Spain
- Portugal
- Andorra
- Gibraltar
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Albania
- Kosovo
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Serbia
- Austria
- Germany
- Liechtenstein
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Tunisia
- Libya
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Palestine
- Israel
- South Africa
As you can see, Facebook Dating has launched in the majority of North and South America, most of Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and a large portion of Europe. However, it is still absent from Italy and some other major European countries like Russia, Ukraine, Greece, and Turkey.
Is Facebook Dating Expected to Launch in Italy?
While Facebook has not confirmed any plans to launch Facebook Dating in Italy, it seems likely it will come to the country eventually. Italy has over 35 million Facebook users, making it one of the platform’s largest markets in Europe.
Facebook Dating has already launched in many of Italy’s neighboring countries like France, Switzerland, and Austria. Expanding it to Italy would follow Facebook’s pattern of gradually rolling out the feature across Europe.
Italy also has a significant population of singles. According to ISTAT data, over 31% of the Italian population 16 years and older is single. Facebook Dating could attract many of these singles looking for a new way to connect with potential partners online.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have delayed Facebook’s original timeline for launching Dating in Italy. But as life returns to normal, Facebook has incentive to keep expanding Dating to new markets. So it seems likely Italy will get Facebook Dating at some point in the not-too-distant future.
How Does Facebook Dating Work?
Facebook Dating operates as a separate section within the main Facebook app. To use it, users must opt-in and create a Dating profile separate from their normal Facebook profile.
Facebook Dating only shows users potential matches who are also using the Dating feature. It draws those potential matches from a user’s wider Facebook friend network, but does not show users their actual Facebook friends as possible matches (unless a Facebook friend separately adds the user as a Secret Crush).
Some key features of Facebook Dating include:
- Creating a dating profile with photos and information about yourself
- Setting dating preferences like location, age, gender, religion, height, etc.
- A Secret Crush option to secretly indicate interest in up to 9 Facebook friends or Instagram followers
- Being matched with other users who fit your preferences and interests
- A feed of potential matches you can Like or Pass on
- Conversation starters to break the ice with matches
- Video chat dates
- Events and Groups features for meeting potential dates with similar interests
- Instagram integration to add Instagram followers as Secret Crushes
- Matching with Facebook friends-of-friends and others suggested via Facebook’s algorithms
The feature aims to provide a safer, more trustworthy dating environment because it matches users within existing friend networks. With mutual friends and connections, users can verify potential partners are who they claim to be. The dating activity does not post on a user’s normal Facebook timeline.
How Popular Is Facebook Dating So Far?
Facebook Dating has seen solid uptake since launching over four years ago. As of January 2022, Facebook reported having 1.5 billion monthly users on Facebook Dating across all markets where the feature is available.
That indicates a significant portion of Facebook users in eligible countries have opted into the Dating feature. For example, as of 2021 Facebook had around 2.85 monthly active users overall. So with 1.5 billion Facebook Dating users, it means about 53% of active Facebook users were using Dating where available.
Here is a table showing Facebook Dating’s user growth since launch:
| Date | Facebook Dating Monthly Users |
|---|---|
| September 2019 (Launch) | 200 million |
| April 2020 | 420 million |
| January 2022 | 1.5 billion |
This rapid growth shows the feature filled a clear demand among Facebook users. Whether couples are actually finding meaningful connections and relationships through Facebook Dating is harder to quantify. But its popularity proves users are open to finding romance on the social media platform.
How Does Facebook Dating Compare to Other Dating Apps in Italy?
Italy has many established dating apps and sites that are widely used across the country. Some of the most popular include:
- Tinder – The top dating app in Italy with millions of users. Operates by swiping left/right on profiles.
- Badoo – Another very popular dating app in Italy with broad reach.
- Meetic – A long-running French dating site that is widely used in Italy.
- Bumble – Growing “female-first” dating app with over 100 million users globally.
- EliteSingles – Dating site focused on pairing professionals and college graduates.
- Parship – Site using personality tests to make partner suggestions for relationships.
- Once – App that offers just one match per day based on algorithms and user voting.
- Happn – Matches users who have physically crossed paths in real life.
These apps and sites are firmly established in the Italian dating scene. Facebook Dating will face competition from these services whenever it does launch in Italy.
Facebook Dating does have some advantages it could leverage over existing options, including:
- Vast existing user base on Facebook
- Trust of connecting users within shared friend networks
- Free access as part of Facebook app
- Tools like Groups and Events for arranging dates
- Video chat features
- Secret Crush option
However, traditional dating apps tend to offer a wider array of potential matches outside a user’s existing social circles. Many Italians may prefer to keep their dating lives more separate from their Facebook friends network.
It will likely come down to individual user preferences – some will gravitate to Facebook Dating for its familiarity and trust factors, while others may see more conventional dating apps as a better fit for their needs.
What Features Might Attract Italian Users to Facebook Dating?
If and when Facebook Dating becomes available in Italy, here are some of its key features that could resonate with Italian singles:
Matching Within Social Circles
Italy has a very socially connected culture that values friendships and community. Facebook Dating taps into users’ existing friend networks on Facebook and Instagram. This allows Italians the opportunity to match with friends-of-friends or others within their social spheres they may already know or have mutual connections with. The shared social context could create more trust and familiarity during the dating process compared to matching with total strangers on other apps.
Video Chat Dating
Video chat capabilities make it possible to go on virtual dates from home. This provides a safer way to get to know matches before meeting in person. It also caters well to current trends, allowing singles to continue dating during COVID-19 social distancing. Italians love passion and romance, so video dates could help spark relationship chemistry.
Secret Crush Feature
Italians admire confidence and bold romantic gestures. The Secret Crush option allows subtly expressing interest in existing Facebook or Instagram connections without the embarrassment of an overt public declaration. If the crush expresses interest back, it’s a match. This mystery and reveal could intrigue Italian romantic sensibilities.
Groups and Events
Italians have a reputation for loving fun, food, culture, and social gatherings. Facebook Dating’s Groups and Events features make it easy to connect with potential dates who have similar interests. Attending events together provides a casual way to meet in an authentic social setting that could appeal to Italians.
What Challenges Could Facebook Dating Face in the Italian Market?
While Facebook Dating has some promising features, it could also face some hurdles gaining traction in Italy:
Established Dating App Competition
As mentioned, existing dating apps like Tinder, Badoo, and Meetic are already popular in Italy. These apps have had years to optimize the user experience for the Italian market. Some Italians may be reluctant to abandon apps where they already have an established presence to start over on a new platform.
Preference for Meetings in Person
Italians place a strong emphasis on in-person social interactions and connections. While online dating can lead to eventual face-to-face meetings, some Italians may view relying solely on virtual online channels early in a courtship as antithetical to their cultural values.
Wary of Mixing Dating Life with Social Network
Some Italians may hesitate to blend their dating lives with their established Facebook friend networks. Keeping those worlds separate could be seen as wise privacy practice, and Badoo surveys have found over half of Italians prefer to keep their dating activities hidden from friends.
Technical Limitations
Facebook Dating relies heavily on existing Facebook data, connections, and algorithms. It offers fewer robust preferences compared to standalone dating apps designed specifically for romantic matchmaking from the ground up. This more limited scope of dating customization could turn off some Italian users.
Facebook will need effective marketing and encouragement of viral sharing to bring Italians fully onboard once the Dating feature launches locally. But if viral momentum builds, Facebook’s tremendous reach provides opportunity for fast growth in Italy.
Will Facebook Dating Ultimately Succeed in Italy?
It remains to be seen how well Facebook Dating will perform once it eventually launches in Italy. But there are reasons for optimism about its potential:
- Huge existing Facebook user base in Italy to draw from
- Rapid international growth of Dating feature so far
- Tools to leverage social connections and events
- Video dating for virtual romantic interactions
However, established dating apps will offer fierce competition on user experience and brand familiarity. Some Italians may not take to blending their social media and dating worlds. And Facebook’s technical constraints could limit its depth as a dedicated matchmaking platform.
Overall the market for online dating in Italy looks strong. According to Allied Market Research, the Italian online dating market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.8% between 2022-2031 as dating apps continue gaining mainstream acceptance. So if Facebook executes an effective launch strategy tailored to Italian culture and dating norms, Facebook Dating could potentially find a receptive audience in the country.
But the appeal will ultimately depend on individual user preferences. Facebook will need to convince Italians its existing friend-based networks offer unique value for finding partners that other dating apps cannot replicate. And it must make the case that its features cater well to Italian dating customs and expectations.
If Facebook Dating provides a compelling new take on matchmaking that resonates culturally in Italy, it could thrive as a major new choice for Italian singles. But it will require strategic rollout and promotion to dethrone the top existing dating apps Italians have used for years. The next two years will be crucial for Facebook Dating’s international expansion fate across Europe, including the coveted Italian market.