Facebook Dating is a relatively new feature from Facebook that allows users to connect with potential romantic matches within their existing friend network on Facebook. The feature is available in many countries around the world, but is it available in the Philippines?
Is Facebook Dating available in the Philippines?
Yes, Facebook Dating is available in the Philippines as of 2020. Facebook gradually rolled out the dating feature to various countries over the course of 2018 and 2019. The feature became available to Facebook users aged 18+ in the Philippines sometime in mid to late 2020.
So if you are a Facebook user living in the Philippines and aged 18 or over, you should now have access to Facebook Dating and be able to use the feature to match with other eligible singles in your area.
When did Facebook Dating launch in the Philippines?
There was no official launch date announced specifically for the Philippines. Facebook rolled out the dating feature slowly over the course of two years across different regions. Based on user reports, it seems Facebook Dating arrived in the Philippines sometime between June and October 2020.
Here is a brief timeline for the rollout of Facebook Dating:
- Launched in Colombia in September 2018
- Expanded to Canada and Thailand in October 2018
- Launched in Mexico, Argentina, and Chile in March 2019
- Arrived in Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Brazil in May 2019
- Launched in 9 Asian countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam in May 2019
- Arrived in Europe including UK, France, Germany, and Sweden in early 2020
- Expanded to Philippines and other SE Asian countries like Indonesia in mid 2020
So while there was no exact launch date revealed for the Philippines, sometime in mid-2020 seems to be when Facebook Dating arrived there based on the global rollout timeline.
How to access Facebook Dating
Accessing Facebook Dating is easy as long as you meet the eligibility requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You need an active Facebook account
- Your account must have been active for at least one day
- Your account must have a history of following Facebook’s policies and terms of service
If you meet these requirements, just follow these steps:
- Open the Facebook app on your mobile device or navigate to Facebook in your desktop browser
- Go to the menu (top right on app or left side on desktop)
- Scroll down and tap on the Dating option
- Follow the prompts to set up your Dating profile
Once your profile is set up, you can start viewing potential matches immediately. You can also edit your profile, adjust preferences, and access messages from any matches through the Dating section of Facebook.
Features of Facebook Dating
Facebook Dating provides users with a few key features to improve their dating experience:
- Secret Crush – You can select up to 9 Facebook friends or Instagram followers that you’re interested in. If they also add you to their Secret Crush list, it’s a match!
- Events and Groups – You can see which upcoming events and groups you have in common with a potential match.
- Stories – You can share Facebook and Instagram stories directly to your dating profile.
- Matching preferences – You can set preferences to only be suggested potential matches that meet certain age, location, religion, height, etc. criteria.
The availability of some features may vary by country. But overall, Filipino users should have access to the core Facebook Dating features.
Is Facebook Dating free?
Yes, Facebook Dating is completely free to use. Unlike some other online dating platforms, there are no premium features or fees to pay when using Facebook Dating. The only requirement is having an active Facebook account.
Facebook Dating profile tips
To get the most out of Facebook Dating in the Philippines, follow these tips when setting up your profile:
- Use current photos that show your face clearly
- Provide a detailed bio that describes your interests and personality
- Link your Instagram account to add Instagram photos
- Answer some icebreaker questions for matches to get the conversation started
- Indicate your true dating intentions clearly
- Tailor your age range and location settings
- Use the Secret Crush feature for matches you’re really interested in
Putting some time into personalizing your profile and preferences can really help boost your matching potential on Facebook Dating in the Philippines.
Is Facebook Dating safe to use in the Philippines?
Facebook Dating takes a number of steps to prioritize user safety:
- Users must authenticate their identity with Facebook before using Dating
- Location sharing with matches is voluntary and optional
- Facebook monitors dating profiles and activity for any policy violations
- Inappropriate messages and photos can be reported within the app
- Blocking and reporting users prevents any further contact
In general, Facebook Dating does seem to offer a reasonably safe environment for Filipino users as long as some basic precautions are taken:
- Avoid sharing personal contact details too soon
- Use the blocking feature if needed
- Report suspicious activity or fake profiles
- Meet any matches in public places initially
With sensible precautions, Facebook Dating can be used safely to meet potential partners in most areas of the Philippines.
Popular Facebook Dating cities in the Philippines
Facebook Dating usage is quite widespread across the Philippines, but some cities do seem particularly popular. Here are some of the top locales for Facebook Dating in the Philippines:
- Quezon City
- Manila
- Davao City
- Cebu City
- Zamboanga City
- Bacolod
- Iloilo City
- Caloocan
- Makati
Usage is high in major urban centers across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. But even in smaller towns and rural areas, many Filipinos now use Facebook Dating to connect with possible partners.
Demographics
Facebook Dating in the Philippines attracts users across a wide demographic spectrum. Key demographics include:
- Ages 18-34 – The core user base, mostly single professionals and students.
- Ages 35-55 – Significant usage from divorcees and singles in this age group.
- Urban and suburban dwellers – Usage is higher in cities than rural areas.
- College educated – Most users have at least some higher education experience.
- Middle and upper class – Tends to appeal more to middle class and affluent Filipinos.
But users of nearly all ages, locations, backgrounds, and economic status can be found on Facebook Dating in the Philippines if they are active Facebook users.
Gender differences
There are some notable gender differences in how men and women use Facebook Dating in the Philippines:
| Men | Women |
|---|---|
| More focused on casual dating | More relationship-oriented |
| Typically make the first move | More selective about who they engage |
| Larger stated age range preferences | Smaller age range preferences |
| More interest-based profiles | More personality-focused profiles |
Of course, preferences and motivations vary greatly across all users. But some broad trends along gender lines are noticeable in Filipino dating culture on Facebook Dating.
Competing dating apps
While popular, Facebook Dating does face competition from other dating apps and sites used in the Philippines. Key competitors include:
- Tinder – Very popular international app with a large Philippine user base seeking casual relationships.
- Bumble – Fast-growing app where women make the first move, appeals to urban millennials.
- OkCupid – Matching based on extensive profile data. Draws more serious daters.
- Filipino Cupid – Dating site focused on connecting Filipinos with foreigners.
- PinaLove – Popular app aimed at Filipinos seeking relationships with foreigners.
- Mingle – Local dating app with a user base of young, urban Filipino singles.
Each app and site has its own unique features and user base. Facebook Dating tends to leverage users’ existing social graph more than standalone dating platforms.
Dating customs and norms
When using Facebook Dating in the Philippines, it helps to understand some local dating customs and norms:
- Family approval is very important in serious relationships.
- Group dates are common, especially early on.
- Men traditionally make the first move and court women.
- Public displays of affection are not that common.
- Conservative values influence attitudes towards sex and sexuality.
- Religion often factors into compatibility considerations.
- Financial security is valued highly in long-term partners.
While attitudes are changing over time, traditional customs around courtship, gender roles, and relationships still hold sway to some degree in Filipino dating culture.
User experience and reviews
Overall, user reviews of Facebook Dating in the Philippines tend to be quite positive. Some key advantages highlighted include:
- Huge existing user base on Facebook
- Ability to match safely within your social network
- Well-designed, user-friendly interface
- Free to use with no hidden charges
- Fun features like Secret Crush matching
- High number of active monthly users
Some drawbacks mentioned occasionally by reviewers:
- Lack of in-depth profiling like dedicated dating apps
- You may not attract matches outside your existing social circles
- Less serious daters compared to paid dating sites
But overall, Facebook Dating offers a solid user experience and seems to be a popular dating option for many Filipinos.
Tips for success
Here are some top tips for finding success with Facebook Dating in the Philippines:
- Use high-quality, recent photos on your profile
- Write an interesting headline and bio section
- Be clear about what you’re looking for – casual vs serious dating
- Fine-tune your search filters to suit your preferences
- Don’t be afraid to make the first move and initiate conversations
- Suggest meeting up soon after matching rather than drag out messaging
- Stay engaged once you start chatting to avoid ghosting
- Put effort into planning creative date ideas
- Manage expectations as not every match will work out
- Stay safe when meeting matches and listen to your intuition
With realistic expectations and active effort, Facebook Dating can be very effective for Filipino singles looking to make connections.
The future of Facebook Dating in the Philippines
Facebook Dating uptake has been very strong since launching in the Philippines in 2020. It fills a clear gap in catering to younger, social media savvy singles looking for both casual and serious dating.
Growth trends indicate that Facebook Dating will likely continue expanding its user base rapidly across the Philippines in urban and rural areas alike.
As Facebook integrates Dating more deeply into its main platform, improves features based on user feedback, and rolls out marketing campaigns, it is well positioned to overtake other existing dating apps in the country in the next few years.
Regional competitors such as Tinder may offer strong competition. But the sheer size of Facebook’s social graph and user base in the Philippines gives the platform an advantage.
Over the next decade, Facebook Dating or possible future iterations of it could very well establish itself as one of the top online dating platforms across the Philippines.