Facebook Launches Dating Service In The US

Facebook has announced the launch of Facebook Dating, created to gives users “a more authentic look at who someone is.”

The service is launching in U.S. as well as in 19 other countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Uruguay and Vietnam. It will be available in Europe by early 2020.

“We’re also giving people the ability to integrate their Instagram posts directly into their Facebook Dating profile and giving people the ability to add Instagram followers to their Secret Crush lists, in addition to Facebook friends. By the end of the year, we’ll make it possible to add Facebook and Instagram Stories to your Dating profile, too,” Nathan Sharp, product manager of Facebook Dating, wrote in a blog post.

The social media giant explained that it created Dating to be safe and inclusive, working with experts to build in protections like the ability to report and block anyone and easy access to safety tips. The service also prohibits people from sending photos, links, payments or videos in messages.

Once a user opts into Facebook Dating and creates a Dating profile, they will be suggested to others who have also opted in.

“People are suggested based on your preferences, interests and other things you do on Facebook,” wrote Sharp. “Facebook Dating isn’t about swiping or having to wait for someone to like you to get a first chance at reaching out. If you are interested in someone, you can comment directly on their profile or tap on the Like button to let them know. If you aren’t interested, you can pass on them. Facebook Dating allows you to match with friends of friends and/or people not in your friend circle. Facebook Dating won’t match you with friends unless you choose to use Secret Crush and you both add each other to your list. All of your Dating activity will stay in Facebook Dating. It won’t be shared to the rest of Facebook.”

Some of the features of the service include Secret Crush, which lets users match up with people they already know on Facebook and/or Instagram; the ability to add Instagram posts to a Facebook Dating profile; the chance to opt into Events and Groups to see people with similar interests; and the ability to share details of an upcoming date and/or live location with trusted contacts via Messenger.