Tinder will start facing some fierce competition from Facebook’s new set of dating features. Users will be able to opt into creating a Facebook dating profile. The profile will only be seen by non-friends who also have a dating profile. Because Facebook already knows so much about its users the website can deliver more relevant matches than most other dating sites and apps. Facebook will start testing the feature later this year.
“Potential matches will be recommended based on dating preferences, things in common, and mutual friends. They’ll have the option to discover others with similar interests through their Groups or Events,” Facebook explained.
Facebook dating will work off four major things:
1. Create a profile using only your first name. Your profile won’t be seen by your friends, on News Feed, or by people who don’t have a dating profile.
2. You’ll be able to look through Events in your city and Groups that you may be interested in. You’ll be able to “unlock” them for dating. You’ll see the profile of other dating users who have done the same.
3. You can look through people’s profiles that show some of their photos and basic information about them.
4. If you are both interested, you can start a conversation with the other users in a special inbox. Facebook dating won’t be using Messenger or Whatsapp.
Facebook already has a long track record of having its users build meaningful relationships that at times have even lead to marriage. Being focused on long-term relationship may give Facebook an advantage over apps like Tinder that are meant more for quick hookups. The announcement of Facebook dating caused Tinder’s parent company, Match Group, to fall 17 percent.
There are still some concerns that Facebook may not be the space users want to use for dating profiles. Experts worry that users might find it strange or creepy to use Facebook as both a social media page and a dating profile all in one app. Facebook could also be forced to take the blame for any bad experiences. Facebook officials are confident the website will be perfect for dating.
