You definitely didn't expect The Princess Switch 3 to spark your romantic tendencies, but now you're thinking about finding a royal companion for cuffing season. Even though you realize it's probably eggnog, the desire to connect doesn't subside. While most dating apps are built in a similar way — making swiping easy and sometimes unconscious — some apps allow you to learn more about yourself. If you don't have the time or energy to fill out a detailed dating profile but would like to use a service that takes your interests into account when connecting you with potential matches, Facebook Dating might suit your needs.
Facebook Dating launched in 2019 but was updated in August 2021 with new features to suit post-lockdown life, such as virtual dates. All you have to do is activate Facebook Dating from your existing account, and you can find potential lovers as easily as you browse Facebook Marketplace for mid-century modern gems. Whenever you open Facebook on your phone, you'll see notifications for your dating profile in the menu below, just like you would for groups or news feeds. Here's how to find your future soul mate with a one-stop shop.
How to activate Facebook Dating
Log into the Facebook app on your mobile device and click on the menu bar in the lower right corner. Under all shortcuts you will see Appointments with a heart icon. Click on that. You can also access the dating feature by typing "Facebook Dating" into the Facebook app's search bar. The platform is only available on the Facebook app for Android and iPhone, and you can't access it on your desktop. After filling out your profile, you'll find that the dating feature has been added to your shortcuts and will appear in the lower menu when you open the app.
Create your Facebook dating profile
This private space has no connection to your main Facebook page, so you can use this opportunity to present yourself differently than you would to your family, friends, and colleagues. The only information you cannot change is your name and age, which are used for verification purposes. You can edit your work, location, and school information.
Next, you'll select the person you want to date, and you'll be prompted with questions whose answers will appear on your profile, such as your height, whether you have children, or substance use. You can skip these questions if you don't want to share, and you can change the answers to these questions at any time in Settings. Select up to nine profile photos and you're in the dating pool and ready to start swiping.
Click on the "Answer Prompt" pop-up to make your profile more personalized. You can choose from options like "My favorite time of day is..." and "The thing I'm embarrassed to admit I enjoy is...". In edit mode, you can also add an introduction to your dating profile to make it clearer what you're looking for or what you want people to know about you.
The “ideal partner” on Facebook Dating
Your "ideal match" is basically all the characteristics that you prioritize in a partner and will help Facebook's algorithm find a stronger match for you. Click the "Settings" wheel in the upper right corner to edit basic information about your ideal match, such as living distance, age range, languages spoken, religion, etc. You can also note whether this is also a "strong preference". You can also tap General to link your Instagram, view suggested matches you've passed on, and update your notification settings.
How to start swiping on Facebook Dating
At first glance at someone's profile, you'll see a photo, name, age, location, and an x and heart. But scroll down and find things you might have in common, like events you've attended, groups you're both in, and whether they've notified the app that they have a crush on you. This is what makes Facebook Dating different from other apps; this backlog of information may help you make stronger or wiser connections.
Use the Match Anywhere feature on Facebook Dating
With more and more people working remotely and temporarily residing in new towns, the Match Anywhere feature allows you to add up to two additional locations so you can cruise to watch games wherever you need to spend time. You can update your location by going to your profile, clicking Edit, and then clicking Appointment Locations.
Lucky Choices on Facebook Dating
While you may think you know what you're looking for, there's always the chance that someone who isn't in your filter may actually be a good fit for you. That's why in August, Facebook introduced "Lucky Picks," potential matches that go beyond your stated interests. Note that one of the preferences this feature ignores is distance, so the person you select may be someone who lives several hours away,
Audio Dates on Facebook Dating
If you match with someone and want to get to know them better, you can send an audio call invitation without leaving the app. It's not as personal as a traditional phone call, since it falls under the app's virtual dating feature, but it's more intimate than messaging back and forth. If they answer the call, your name and profile photo will appear on the screen while you're on the call.
