Facebook Dating is a free dating feature within the Facebook mobile app. It has been available in the UK since 2020, so there is no separate UK launch to wait for and no separate Facebook Dating app to download. If you already use Facebook, it offers a straightforward way to explore potential matches without paying for a dating subscription.
But is it worth your time? Here is how to find the feature, what it offers and what to consider before creating a profile.
Facebook Dating is for adults aged 18 or over. If the Dating option does not appear, check that your app is updated and that your account is eligible. Availability can also depend on your location and account status.
Facebook suggests potential matches using information such as the preferences you set, shared interests and activity connected with Facebook. You can look through suggested profiles, express interest and start a conversation through Dating. You can also pass on someone who is not right for you.
One advantage is that the service can introduce you to people who share interests or belong to similar groups and events, where you choose to use those options. That gives you more to talk about than a photograph and a one-line bio. It does not, of course, guarantee that the person behind a profile is compatible or genuinely looking for the same kind of relationship.
Facebook Dating uses a profile separate from your main Facebook profile. Meta says your Dating profile, messages, likes and matches are not posted to your Facebook feed, and your existing Facebook friends are not normally suggested as matches. You can also choose whether friends of friends appear in your suggestions.
There is an optional Secret Crush feature for people interested in someone they already know. A person you add will not be told it was you unless they also add you to their Secret Crush list.
Separate profiles do not mean complete separation of data. Meta says information and activity across its products may be used to suggest matches and personalise other experiences, including some advertising. Read the privacy options before adding details you would prefer to keep private.
Meta describes Facebook Dating as a free experience within the Facebook app. That makes it appealing if you want to try online dating without immediately choosing a paid membership. The trade-off is that a free account and a familiar brand do not tell you how many suitable, active people are nearby. Browse your own area before deciding whether it meets your needs.
Meta has announced a Dating Assistant, designed to help people refine their search and get profile or date ideas, and Meet Cute, which introduces a suggested match. Meta initially described the assistant as a gradual rollout in the US and Canada. Do not assume either feature is available in every country or on every account.
As with any dating app, take time to check whether a profile and conversation feel consistent. Keep early conversations within the service, avoid sending money or financial information, and be wary of anyone who quickly pushes you towards another app or claims to have an urgent financial problem.
For a first meeting, choose a public place and let someone you trust know your plans. Use Facebook Dating’s blocking and reporting controls if a profile or message concerns you. A Facebook account does not, by itself, prove that the person is who they say they are.
Yes, particularly if you already use Facebook and want a free way to see who is available locally. Its separate Dating profile, shared-interest suggestions and lack of a subscription make it an easy option to test. Its value still comes down to the people you actually find and the quality of your conversations.
If you prefer a service centred entirely on dating, more detailed compatibility questions or a different approach to finding matches, compare it with the other apps in our dating site reviews. You can try Facebook Dating first and decide whether you need anything more.
We checked Meta’s current information on Facebook Dating to explain how it works, what it costs and the privacy choices available. Features may vary by location and account, so check what appears in your own app.
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