The purple dot on Facebook Dating indicates when a user is active and using the dating feature. It shows up next to a user’s name or in chat messages to let others know they are currently browsing Facebook Dating.
What Does the Purple Dot Mean?
The purple dot is Facebook’s way of letting you know another user is currently active in Facebook Dating. It is similar to the green dot or status indicator used in Facebook Messenger.
Some key things to know about the purple dot:
- It appears next to a user’s name or profile picture whenever they open the Facebook Dating tab or feature.
- In chat messages, it shows up next to a user’s name if they are actively using Dating.
- It signifies the user has the Dating tab open and is browsing profiles or chatting with matches.
- The dot goes away after a few minutes of inactivity or if the user closes the Dating tab.
So in short, the purple dot means a user is currently active in Facebook Dating. It’s a way to see who is live and browsing or chatting at the same time as you.
Where Does the Purple Dot Appear?
You may see the purple dot in a few different places when using Facebook Dating:
- Next to a user’s name or profile picture anywhere in the Dating section.
- Next to a match’s name at the top of a chat message thread.
- Beside messages within a chat thread if the user is actively chatting.
In general, anytime you see a purple dot next to a user in Facebook Dating it signals they are currently active in that section.
Why Does Facebook Show the Purple Dot?
Facebook added the purple dot to Dating to help facilitate real-time connections between matches. Here are some of the main reasons why it can be useful:
- Lets you see who might be more likely to respond quickly if you message them.
- Shows when your matches are live in the app so you can potentially chat in real-time.
- Adds context to conversations by showing when users are actively messaging back and forth.
- Gives a sense of who is eager to date and actively using the feature.
Essentially, the purple dot makes Facebook Dating feel more lively and interactive. It enables users to see when matches are engaged in the app and potentially connect in real-time.
What If You Don’t See a Purple Dot?
If you don’t see a purple dot next to a user, a few things could be going on:
- They aren’t currently active in Facebook Dating.
- Their account privacy settings are hiding their active status.
- They have closed the Facebook Dating tab or app.
- It’s been a few minutes since they were last active in the Dating section.
Lack of a purple dot doesn’t necessarily mean the user isn’t interested or active in dating. They may simply have stepped away for a bit or have settings turned on to hide their active status.
Can You Turn Off the Purple Dot?
Yes, users have the ability to turn off the purple active status dot in Facebook Dating if they want more privacy.
To disable the purple dot:
- Go to the Facebook Dating section and click on the profile icon.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the menu.
- Scroll down and toggle off the setting called “Show When You’re Active.”
With this setting off, you won’t display the active purple dot to other dating users. You can still see when your matches are active, but they won’t see your real-time activity and status.
Pros and Cons of the Purple Dot
Here are some potential benefits and drawbacks of Facebook’s purple dot active status indicator:
Pros:
- Lets you see who might be more responsive in real-time.
- Adds context to conversations when users are actively messaging.
- Helps facilitate instant messaging-like connections.
- Shows which users are eager and engaged in dating.
Cons:
- Some users may find it distracting or unnecessary.
- You lose some privacy and anonymity being visible when active.
- Buggy behavior may show you active when you aren’t using the feature.
- People may make assumptions if you aren’t actively using dating often.
Overall the purple dot aims to enhance the dating experience on Facebook, but it isn’t for everyone. Thankfully you can disable the feature if you prefer more privacy.
Conclusion
The purple dot on Facebook Dating is an active status indicator that shows when a user has the Dating tab open. It appears next to a person’s profile or chat messages when they are live and using the feature. The dot provides context on who is engaged, allows for potential real-time conversations, and adds a layer of fun interactivity to the dating platform. While not for everyone, the purple active status dot is Facebook’s unique way to facilitate connections between eager dating app users.