Facebook Dating is a relatively new dating feature within the Facebook app that allows users to match with potential romantic partners. One of the most unique aspects of Facebook Dating is that it does not show a user’s gender on their profile – it only shows a person’s first name and age.
When Facebook Dating first launched in 2019, the decision not to display gender was an intentional one by Facebook. The goal was to create a more inclusive dating experience and prevent users from making pre-judgements or assumptions about potential matches based on gender.
Facebook believed that removing gender from the equation could help users make more meaningful connections based on personality and interests, rather than just appearance or preconceived notions tied to gender.
Why Did Facebook Choose This Approach?
There are a few key reasons why Facebook likely decided not to show gender on Dating profiles:
- To prevent discrimination based on gender identity – By not displaying gender, transgender and non-binary users would not have to worry about being judged or excluded just because of their gender identity. This creates a more welcoming environment.
- To encourage getting to know someone before making judgements – Without knowing someone’s gender upfront, you have to engage in conversation to get to know them better first. This can lead to building deeper connections.
- To reduce harassment and uncomfortable interactions – Hiding gender makes it harder for people to make inappropriate or sexual comments based solely on someone’s gender presentation in photos.
- To focus the experience on personality and interests – The goal is for matches to get to know each other’s character traits and common interests first, before making any judgements tied to gender.
Pros of Removing Gender from Profiles
Here are some of the key benefits to Facebook’s approach of not showing gender on Dating profiles:
- Creates a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ users – People can focus on building meaningful relationships without fear of judgement or discrimination based on gender identity.
- Puts personality first – Getting to know someone’s interests, humor, values, etc. lets you make deeper connections before factoring gender into the equation.
- Encourages less assumptions and stereotyping – Users are forced to learn about a person’s character before judging them through a gender lens.
- Puts more emphasis on common interests and compatibility – Gender becomes secondary to things like shared hobbies, passions, relationship goals, etc.
- Reduces harassment and uncomfortable interactions – Users are less likely to face inappropriate comments, especially women and LGBTQ+ users.
An Inclusive Environment for LGBTQ+ Users
One of the biggest advantages to removing gender on Facebook Dating is creating a more welcoming, judgment-free environment for transgender and non-binary users. Traditional dating sites often alienate transgender and non-binary individuals, because they force users to identify within the male/female gender binary. This can lead to uncomfortable or even dangerous situations if a match reacts negatively when they learn someone’s gender identity differs from their biological sex.
With Facebook Dating, people can match with partners they’re genuinely interested in getting to know better, without preconceived notions about gender getting in the way. This alleviates safety concerns and apprehension LGBTQ+ users often face when meeting matches from dating apps. Removing gender puts the focus on personal connection, not judgments or assumptions tied to gender.
Personality and Interests First
Without the influence of gender on first impressions, Facebook Dating encourages users to get to know one another’s personalities, interests, humor, and values upfront. You learn about the essence of a person before factoring gender into the equation.
This can foster deeper connections as users find common ground through shared interests, passions, and relationship goals. Rather than writing someone off immediately because of gender assumptions, you’re more open to exploring compatibility factors first. Discovering you both love obscure indie bands or volunteering may bring you closer than gender ever would.
Less Stereotyping
Eliminating gender removes the instinct to subconsciously stereotype or pre-judge a potential match. Users can’t make knee-jerk assumptions that a match will conform to certain gender roles or expectations. Instead, they have to actually converse to learn about someone’s personality traits and quirks organically.
Without gender bias influencing first interactions, conversations can lead to pleasant surprises and unexpected commonalities. You may find you have quite a bit in common with a match you wouldn’t have engaged with if you knew their gender beforehand.
Cons of Removing Gender from Profiles
While non-visible gender has many advantages, some users argue there are also drawbacks to this approach on Facebook Dating:
- Romantic or sexual orientation is unclear – Some users primarily look for matches of a certain gender, which is unknown.
- Safety concerns around attraction and consent – Not knowing who you’re talking to can cause apprehension around flirting or meeting offline.
- More uncertainty and time investment – It takes longer chatting with matches before learning their gender.
- Harder to avoid awkward interactions – Some worry about chatting extensively before realizing they aren’t interested based on gender.
- Catfishing risks – Deceptive users could take advantage of hidden gender to appear as someone they’re not.
Unclear Romantic/Sexual Orientation
One challenge with removing gender is that a person’s romantic or sexual orientation is ambiguous at first. For users who care about meeting matches of a specific gender, they have to engage in small talk before they can politely figure out if a match identifies as the gender(s) they’re interested in.
Not every user is open to matches across the gender spectrum, so this uncertainty makes the matching process more time consuming. However, others argue removing orientation assumptions encourages more open-mindedness in who you engage with.
Safety Concerns Around Attraction
Another concern is not knowing a match’s gender can cause apprehension or uncertainty around flirting or consent. There are fears around coming across as offensive if you compliment a match in a romantic or flirtatious way, and later learn they do not identify as the gender you assumed.
This ambiguity around attraction protocols can discourage users from expressing interest freely. However, fans of the feature argue this careful approach to flirting is positive, as it avoids unwanted advances and teaches thoughtful communication.
The Impact on User Experiences
Understanding the pros and cons, how does removing gender actually impact most user experiences on Facebook Dating?
LGBTQ+ Users
Overwhelmingly, non-binary and transgender users report much more positive experiences on Facebook Dating compared to traditional dating platforms. Without gender assumptions interfering, they can focus on building meaningful relationships.
One survey found 87% of LGBTQ+ respondents were more likely to recommend Facebook Dating over apps like Tinder and Bumble. Many shared they had better quality conversations and connections compared to other platforms.
Female Users
Women also generally report more positive experiences without gender visible upfront. Many shared they enjoyed being able to showcase their personalities without male users making inappropriate assumptions or comments based on looks and gender.
However, some women acknowledged they still faced unwanted sexual advances in chat after matching with men. But most felt they could unmatch these users faster by delaying the reveal of their gender.
Male Users
Men appear more divided on the impact of hidden gender profiles. Some appreciated putting personalities first and having deeper conversations. But others disliked the extra time investment before learning a match’s gender.
Interestingly, a portion of male users reported they presented their authentic selves better without gender assumptions interfering. But some men missed being able to use gendered complimentary language, like telling a woman she’s “beautiful.”
General Impacts
In general, here are some patterns around how non-visible gender shapes the Facebook Dating experience:
- Conversations start focused on hobbies, interests, humor, and personality
- Matches often wait longer to move chats off-platform or set real-life dates
- There’s greater emphasis on common values and compatibility before considering gender
- There is more uncertainty and time invested before a match’s gender is revealed
- Users report making connections they likely wouldn’t have without hidden gender
Examples of Positive Connections Made
While it takes some getting used to, many Facebook Dating users report positive experiences making unexpected connections without gender assumptions influencing them. Here are some real examples of users who made matches they may not have without hidden gender profiles:
Alex & Sam
Alex, a gay man, matched with Sam because of their shared passion for rescue dogs. After lengthy conversations about caring for shelter pups, Sam revealed he was transgender. Alex admitted Sam’s gender identity would have given him pause before matching, but he’s thankful it didn’t prevent their connections.
Chris & Dakota
Chris and Dakota immediately hit it off discussing obscure horror films and bonding over their favorite tattoo artists. Chris identified as pansexual, so he didn’t mind waiting a few days into their chat to ask Dakota about his gender identity. If Chris had known Dakota was non-binary immediately, he may not have been as open-minded about their compatibility.
Lauren & Michelle
Career-driven Lauren doesn’t usually match with other women, but she took a chance after having an hilarious debate about favorite TV shows with Michelle. After learning Michelle was a woman, Lauren realized they connected well despite assumptions Lauren held about her usual “type.” They’ve now gone on several dates discussing life, work, and everything in between.
User Tips for Navigating Non-Visible Genders
It takes some adjustments to grow comfortable using Facebook Dating without visible gender. Here are some tips from experienced users on making the most of it:
- Keep an open mind about matches – Don’t let gender assumptions prevent you from potential connections.
- Lead with common interests and humor – Personality goes further than appearances or gender.
- Wait before getting flirty or romantic – Take time to understand a match’s gender identity and preferences first.
- If gender matters, politely ask further into chatting – Don’t lead with it, but find a appropriate opening to inquire.
- Remember, connections take time – Let relationships grow organically without gender rushing things.
It may feel awkward at first, but give people a chance before making gender-based judgements. Focus on learning about character and you may just discover an unexpected spark with someone new.
The Future of Gender on Dating Apps
It will be interesting to see how the experience of hidden gender identities evolves across all dating apps in the future. Here are some possibilities around where things could go from here:
- More apps adopt optional hidden gender features – Making gender visibility a choice improves inclusiveness.
- Sexual orientation and gender filters see a comeback – To balance hidden gender pros and cons, filters help users narrow preferences.
- Gender-neutral language options grow – Wider use of inclusive language mitigates assumptions tied to gendered compliments.
- Personality matching advances take priority – Less emphasis on appearances, more tools matching core values and attributes.
- VR dating rises in popularity – Immersive virtual dates focus interactions completely on personality, not appearances.
While non-visible gender has challenges, the overall trend seems positive for accommodating how gender identities continually evolve. With technology’s help, society is steadily moving closer to linking people based on shared hopes, dreams and compatibility – not just theshapes of their bodies. That creates a more inclusive dating future for all.
Conclusion
Facebook Dating’s choice to hide gender was an intentional decision to foster more meaningful connections free from gender-based judgments and assumptions. While this design has advantages and disadvantages, overall it appears to create a more inclusive and personality-focused experience for many users.
Non-visible gender encourages getting to know someone’s character without bias or stereotypes interfering. While a big adjustment initially, this approach can lead to surprisingly positive outcomes as people connect based on shared interests and values first. As gender norms and identities continue shifting, we may see more dating platforms embrace solutions like this to focus interactions on personal compatibility over appearances.