Facebook Dating launched in the U.S. last week with little fanfare. The latest dating app-which is a part of Facebook’s existing app-received a lot of press, but it was unclear if users would respond favorably to a dating app from a social network that many have fled . Of course, many of these users are still on Instagram, which Facebook owns, but the social network itself is increasingly seen as tragically uncool and mostly populated by Boomers. Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook also developed the reputation of a company not to be trusted with your personal data. In other words, the brand is not strong.
As a single person who has used dating apps like Hinge and Bumble, I was curious about Facebook Dating-admittedly, because I figured it would have a short shelf life. I opted-in to Dating (which required me to re-download the Facebook app; I’d deleted it long ago because it depleted my phone battery) and then I looked around the app. It was a ghost town. There is a “Secret Crush” section where you can add someone as a crush and you match with them if they also list you as a crush. But the bigger problem is that I don’t want to date anyone who is already one of my Facebook friends. Facebook Dating also suggests people you don’t know for you-but that feature is not available yet for me in New York City.
Right now, Facebook Dating is a static app without a lot to do. In the future, Dating is supposed to match you with others outside your friend group based on mutual interests and even information like what events you’re going to. Again, though, the company will need to convince people to trust its app and opt-in. Will Facebook Dating exist in a year-or even in six months? That’s yet to be determined, but if you are also curious about Facebook’s foray into the world of online dating, here’s everything you need to know.
