Facebook is a useful tool for meeting new people and staying in contact with old friends. Since its launch, Facebook users have been able to link their profile to their university or high school as part of their bio.
But recently, another feature was introduced: Facebook Dating. If youāre a single person looking to meet new people and find that special someone, then you might want to know more about the pros and cons of using dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, or OKCupid.
Even though these are all different dating apps with different features and user audiences, they all have one thing in common: Theyāre all powered by Facebook.
Thatās because millions of people already use these apps on a regular basis; creating an opportunity for them to also integrate their account with the same email address they link to Facebook.
Itās not secret that dating apps are a popular way to meet new people and possibly find someone special. However, not everyone uses dating apps. In fact, many people have reservations about using them, which is partly why their usage has dropped in the last couple of years.
But whether youāre comfortable with the idea or not, Facebook has launched a new dating feature within its app. While there are plenty of dating apps out there, creating your own within the framework of one of the largest social networks on the planet is perhaps one of the most ingenious ideas weāve seen yet.
This article will give you 19 tips on how to use Facebookās Dating feature if youāre single and interested in meeting other like-minded people.
1. Decide Which Gender You Want to Date Beforehand
While Facebook Dating is open to all genders, you should decide beforehand which gender you want to date. This is largely because the feature is designed around mutual friends, and if youāre only interested in dating people of one gender, youāll eliminate a large chunk of potential matches.
Itās also important to note that people can select a gender that doesnāt correspond with their own. This means that if you only want to date women, you should likely set your preferences to āwomenā instead of āmen.ā
Thereās no reason to limit yourself to dating just one gender, but itās important to at least make a conscious decision about what youāre looking for. This can help to streamline a lot of the dating process and ensure that youāre only meeting people who are interested in dating you as well.
2. Turn On Location Services
While you donāt need to tell Facebook that youāre interested in dating so that you can start using the dating feature, you do need to turn on location services. This means that youāll let Facebook know that youāre interested in dating people in your area.
While you can still swipe right on people who are in other areas and still talk to them, you wonāt be shown any potential matches who are outside of your location.
If you want to find people in your area, you need to turn on location services. This can be done through your phoneās settings, and you donāt even need to turn it on for the rest of your phoneās apps ā just Facebook.
3. Be Choosing Your Own Dates and Meet-ups
While you can swipe right and find people who are interested in dating you as well as people who have swiped right on you, you have to actually select the potential dates that you want to go on.
This means that youāre in control of who you talk to and actually meet up with. While this is also the case with dating apps, itās much more difficult to screen people on dating apps. This is because youāll only see photos, names, and maybe some short bios when you first encounter someone ā and you canāt be picky with who you talk to.
On Facebook Dating, you can select the people you want to talk with and have a seemingly limitless number of potential dates from which to choose.
4. Remember: This is Facebook, Not the Dark Web!
Facebook is one of the most popular social networks in the world. In fact, Facebook Dating is built within the framework of the main Facebook app, making it accessible for everyone.
While you canāt see who else is using Facebook Dating unless they message or ālikeā you, thereās no reason to be worried about meeting people from the dark web. Thereās no reason to be nervous or feel like youāre being fooled.
All of the people youāll meet on Facebook Dating are real people who are active on Facebook. There are plenty of ways to find people on dating apps, but Facebook Dating is perhaps the most reliable.
5. Donāt Be Afraid to Turn People Down
If youāve turned on location services and are only selecting the people you want to talk with, you donāt have to be afraid to turn people down. If someone doesnāt interest you, donāt feel pressured to talk to them or go on a date with them.
If you donāt want to talk to someone or go on a date with them, thereās no need to feel guilty about it. You donāt owe anyone anything, and if you donāt feel comfortable talking to someone, you donāt have to. Thatās the beauty of being in control of who you talk to and meet up with.
6. Use Facebook to Build Confidence Before Dating Apps
If youāre nervous about using dating apps, you donāt have to jump right into Facebook Dating. You can slowly ease yourself into the dating world by first using Facebook. This can be done simply by joining groups based around dating, posting on forums, and even just talking to people in your daily life.
While you may not be talking to people in the way that you would be on dating apps, this can help you ease into being more open to meeting new people and dating. This can help you build the confidence you need to use dating apps and meet new people.
After youāve done this, you can then slowly ease into Facebook Dating and meet people in a more controlled environment.
7. Know the basics of Facebook Dating before you start
There are a few key things that you should know about Facebook Dating before you start. First, the dating feature is currently only available in a few countries. You can check to see if your country is one of them by clicking on the blue button on the bottom left corner of your Facebook page.
This is likely due to the fact that Facebook Dating requires people to have a Facebook account and be over 18 years old, so youāre only meeting real people. Secondly, people canāt send you a message unless youāve swiped right on them.
This means that youāre in control of who you talk to, and you donāt have to worry about spam or fake messages. Finally, once youāre active on Facebook Dating, your friends will be able to see that youāve used the feature.
8. Donāt always believe what you see on the surface
One of the biggest challenges when meeting people online is that you donāt always know what they look like. While there are ways to get around this, such as using dating apps with video functions, you donāt always get the full picture of who youāre talking to.
This is perhaps even more relevant with Facebook Dating since youāre meeting people from your existing social network. You might be tempted to believe that someone is a certain way or has a certain background, but itās important not to jump to conclusions based on what you see on the surface.
You donāt know everything about someone just because you see them every day at school or work.
9. Be aware of the etiquette
With any social setting, there are what can be referred to as dating āetiquette rulesā ā things that are expected from people when theyāre in the dating scene. Before diving in, be sure to familiarize yourself with the dating etiquette that applies to this setting.
Youāll save yourself a lot of confusion and awkwardness if youāre aware of the norms that exist. One such norm is that youāre not allowed to start a conversation with someone if they are in a relationship (unless they are in an open relationship).
You can only send a connection request to someone youāve been friends with on Facebook for at least three days.
10. Donāt share too much information
When creating your profile and posting photos, be discerning as to what information you share. Of course, you want to be open about who you are, but this isnāt the time to tell the world about your deepest, darkest secrets. Instead, try and give out a light, positive vibe, while still being true to who you are.
You donāt want to scare people away with overly personal information, and you also donāt want to be judged for being too open with your past. Likewise, your photos should be carefully selected.
You want to show people who you are as a person, but you donāt want to be too staged or inauthentic. Thereās a fine line between showing who you are and putting your best foot forward.
11. Be discerning when selecting matches
Before you start swiping left and right like a maniac, decide how discerning you want to be when selecting your matches. You can be as discerning as you want: only choosing people who are within 5 miles of your location, who have a high education level, and a specific job. Or you can be less discerning and select all of the options.
Itās up to you and your specific goals with the app. Whatever you decide, be true to yourself. If you want to be more discerning, itās best to be upfront about it before matching with someone.
You donāt want someone to get excited about a potential match and then find out that you selected the most basic matching criteria available.
12. Be cautious with whom you meet up
As you start to receive connection requests from potential matches, be cautious with whom you choose to meet up with. Sure, you know their basic information and you can see their profile photo, but as we know, appearances can be deceiving.
While you can read up on someone and see if you have any mutual friends or interests, nothing can replace meeting in person. You can ask the person questions about their profession, family life, and dreams, but you donāt know if theyāre being honest.
If you sense anything off, donāt feel bad about leaving the date early. Just make sure youāre safe and that you have someone with you, just in case.
13. Donāt Be Scared of Facebookās Dating Blind Date
So far weāve been talking about meeting up with people youāve already been matched with, but there is also the option to go on a āblind date.ā Just like it sounds, the feature allows you to go on a blind date with someone you donāt know. All you know is that the person has the same interests as you.
To be honest, this is one of the most exciting features of Facebook Dating. You donāt know what the person looks like, so you have to judge them based on their personality. This is an excellent way to meet someone new and exciting.
If youāre nervous about going on a blind date, you can always make a joke about it. Say something like, āHopefully things go well because I donāt know what this person looks like.ā Your date will likely laugh and the conversation can move on from there.
14. Donāt Only Focus on Looks
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to dating. While itās true that you need to find someone that youāre attracted to, donāt only focus on looks. After all, looks fade, but personality lasts forever.
You have no idea what someoneās personality is like. You might be attracted to them, but they could be a nightmare to be around. Even if they look great on paper and you like their photos, keep in mind that you donāt know anything about them.
You donāt know if theyāre being honest, if they are a good person, or if theyāre even compatible with you.
15. Donāt Forget to Use the āNearbyā Feature
One of the most exciting features of Facebook Dating is the āNearbyā feature. With this feature, you can see a list of people who are near you, how far away they are, and what their relationship status is.
You can then decide whether or not youād like to message them or not. This feature is especially helpful if youāre shy and donāt want to send the first message. Itās also helpful if youāre having a bad day and donāt have the energy to initiate a conversation.
However, be careful with this feature because you donāt know who youāre messaging. If you donāt initiate a conversation face-to-face, you donāt know who youāre talking to.
16. Be Clear About Your Intentions
Before diving into the dating scene and swiping left and right like a maniac, be clear about your intentions. Are you trying to find a serious relationship or are you just trying to meet new people? Are you interested in dating multiple people at the same time? These are questions you need to ask yourself before you start swiping.
If you want to find someone serious, you need to be up front about it and select the appropriate matching criteria. You also need to remember that other people are looking for serious relationships as well. So if youāre not serious about dating, you can inadvertently mislead people into thinking that you are.
17. Meet in Public Places
When it comes time to actually go out with someone youāve been matched with, meet in a public place. Donāt invite them over to your house or go to their place. This may sound like common sense, but youād be surprised how often this doesnāt happen.
You donāt know who this person is, so why invite them into a private space? Instead, pick a public location. This could be a coffee shop, restaurant, museum, or library. It doesnāt matter where you go, but it needs to be somewhere public.
If they are interested in you, theyāll be happy to take you to a public place. If they refuse to meet you in public, itās a clear sign that something is off.
18. Donāt Shave Years Off Your Age
Another common mistake people make when on dating apps is shaving years off their age. While itās true that younger people have an advantage over older people in the dating world, donāt try and trick people into thinking that youāre younger than you are. This is a red flag to potential partners and youāll likely find yourself getting ghost.
19. Donāt Use Facebook Dating Until Youāre Hooked
Just like you wouldnāt post a dating ad on Craigslist before youāve actually fallen in love, you shouldnāt use Facebook Dating until youāre actually interested in dating. This can be a challenge, especially with Facebook Datingās āauto-swipeā feature that lets you swipe right on every potential match.
Itās important to remember that just because Facebook Dating shows you two people who are interested in dating you doesnāt mean that you necessarily want to date them. This is especially important with Facebook Dating because the only thing that you know about the person at first glance is their name, age, and picture.
While you can view their job, education, and other details once you start talking with them, thereās nothing to suggest that you should swipe right or left on a potential match. You should only use Facebook Dating once youāre actually interested in dating and have met one or more potential people.