You open Facebook, scroll through memes and cat videos, and then you see it - a little heart icon tucked under your profile picture. FB dating is here, and it’s not just for weirdos or people trying to escape their exes. It’s a real, functional dating tool built right into the app you already use every day. But how does it actually work? And more importantly - is it worth your time?
Let’s cut through the noise. FB dating isn’t a dating app like Tinder or Bumble. It doesn’t swipe. It doesn’t show you strangers from 50 miles away. It’s quieter, smarter, and honestly? A lot less awkward.
What Is FB Dating?
FB dating is a feature within the Facebook app that lets you create a separate dating profile - completely invisible to your friends, family, or coworkers. You don’t need to download a new app. You don’t need to sign up with a new email. You just tap into a hidden tab inside Facebook, and suddenly, you’re in a space designed just for meeting people you don’t already know.
It launched in 2019, and since then, over 10 million people have used it globally. In London alone, thousands of users log in weekly. The numbers don’t lie - it’s not a gimmick. It’s a legit way to meet someone, especially if you’re tired of the same old dating apps.
How FB Dating Works - Step by Step
Here’s the real deal. No fluff. Just how it works, plain and simple.
- You open the Facebook app - yes, the same one you use to post vacation pics.
- You tap the menu (three lines in the top right), scroll down, and find Dating. If you don’t see it, update the app.
- You create a dating profile - separate from your main Facebook profile. It only shows your name, age, photos, and a short bio.
- You set your preferences: gender, age range, distance (up to 100 miles), and whether you want to match with people who are friends of friends.
- Facebook starts suggesting matches based on shared interests, groups you’re in, events you’ve attended, and even pages you like.
- When you like someone, they won’t know - until they like you back. Then you both get a match notification.
- Once matched, you chat inside the Dating tab. No spam. No ads. Just you and them.
That’s it. No swiping. No paid upgrades. No creepy nudges to upgrade to premium. FB dating keeps it clean.
Why FB Dating Is Different
Think about how most dating apps work. You match with strangers based on looks. You send a “hey” and hope for the best. FB dating flips that.
It uses your real-life connections. If you’re in a book club on Facebook, or you’ve been to a concert in Shoreditch, or you follow a local hiking group - FB dating notices. It doesn’t guess who you might like. It shows you people who already share parts of your life.
One user in Camden told me: “I matched with someone because we both went to the same vegan food festival last year. We didn’t even know we were in the same group. We talked for two hours before we even met.” That’s not luck. That’s smart.
What You Can’t Do on FB Dating
It’s not perfect. Here’s what it doesn’t do:
- It won’t show you people outside your set distance.
- It won’t let you see who liked you before you like them back.
- It won’t let you message someone unless you both match.
- It won’t connect with Instagram or WhatsApp.
That’s intentional. FB dating is designed to be low-pressure. No ghosting. No endless scrolling. Just one real connection at a time.
Is FB Dating Safe?
Safety is built in. Your main Facebook profile stays private. Your friends won’t see you’re on dating. No one can find your dating profile by searching your name.
Facebook also has:
- Photo verification - so you know you’re talking to a real person.
- Block and report buttons - easy to use, fast response.
- Privacy controls - you can turn off suggestions based on friends of friends.
- AI monitoring - it flags suspicious behavior automatically.
Still, always meet in public. Always tell a friend where you’re going. That’s not FB’s job - that’s yours.
Who Uses FB Dating in London?
It’s not just for millennials. I’ve talked to people in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s using it. Many are divorced, recently moved to London, or just tired of the dating app grind.
It’s especially popular among:
- Professionals who don’t have time for bar scenes
- People who joined Facebook groups for hobbies (like board games, knitting, or running clubs)
- Those who want to avoid the “profile picture game”
One woman in Brixton said: “I matched with my current partner because we both liked the same local art gallery. We never would’ve met if I’d been on Tinder.”
FB Dating vs. Other Apps - Quick Comparison
| Feature | FB Dating | Tinder | Bumble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matching Method | Based on shared interests, groups, events | Swipes based on photos | Women message first |
| Visibility to Friends | Hidden | No | No |
| Photo Verification | Yes | Optional | Yes |
| Free Features | All core features free | Many locked behind paywall | Many locked behind paywall |
| Message Start | Only after mutual like | After match | Only women can message first |
| Location Range | Up to 100 miles | Up to 100 miles | Up to 100 miles |
FB dating wins on authenticity. Tinder and Bumble feel like job interviews. FB dating feels like meeting someone at a coffee shop you both already know.
How to Set Up Your FB Dating Profile (Pro Tips)
Here’s what actually works:
- Use 3-4 clear photos - one full face, one with a hobby, one outdoors.
- Don’t use selfies. People can tell.
- Write a short bio - mention something you love. “Love Sunday markets. Hate pineapple on pizza.”
- Turn on “Suggested Matches” - it uses your real interests, not just looks.
- Don’t link your Instagram. It’s a distraction.
- Check your privacy settings - disable “Friends of Friends” if you’re not comfortable.
Most people who fail at FB dating do it because they treat it like Tinder. It’s not. It’s a quiet, thoughtful way to connect.
FAQ: Your Questions About FB Dating Answered
Can my Facebook friends see that I’m using FB dating?
No. Your dating profile is completely separate. Your friends won’t see you’re using it, and you won’t see them unless you both match. Even if you’re in the same group or went to the same event, they won’t know you’re on dating unless you both like each other.
Is FB dating free?
Yes. All core features - matching, messaging, photo verification - are free. There are no paid upgrades. No “super like.” No “boost.” Facebook doesn’t monetize this feature. It’s designed to be simple and accessible.
Can I use FB dating if I’m not single on Facebook?
You need to set your relationship status to “Single” in your main Facebook profile to use the dating feature. If you’re in a relationship or married, you’ll be blocked from creating a dating profile. It’s a simple rule to keep things honest.
What if I match with someone I know?
If you match with someone you know - like a coworker or old classmate - you’ll get a warning before the match confirms. You can choose to block them or proceed. Most people who match with someone they know are surprised - and usually delete the app after.
Can I use FB dating on a computer?
No. FB dating is only available in the mobile app - iOS and Android. You can’t access it from a desktop browser. It’s designed to be used on the go, not at your desk.
Final Thoughts
FB dating isn’t flashy. It doesn’t promise you 10 matches a day. But if you’re tired of the noise - the fake profiles, the ghosting, the endless swiping - it’s one of the most honest places to meet someone.
It works because it’s built on real life. Not filters. Not algorithms that only care about your waistline. It connects you to people who already share pieces of your world.
Give it a week. Set up your profile. Don’t overthink it. See who shows up. You might just find someone who loves the same pub you do - and doesn’t care about your Instagram likes at all.
5 Comments
OMG I JUST MATCHED WITH A GUY WHO GOES TO THE SAME CROCHET CLUB 😍 I THOUGHT FB DATING WAS FOR LONELY UNCLEs BUT NOW I’M BLUSHING. THIS IS BETTER THAN TINDER BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON 🧶❤️/p>
YESSSS THIS IS THE FUTURE OF DATING. NO MORE SWIPING LIKE A MANIAC. I MET MY BOYFRIEND BECAUSE WE BOTH WENT TO A STREET FAIR IN PORTLAND. NO FILTERS. NO LIES. JUST REAL PEOPLE WHO LIKE THE SAME STUFF. YOU GUYS NEED TO GIVE THIS A CHANCE. IT’S NOT WEIRD - IT’S GENIUS. 🙌❤️/p>
This is just Facebook’s way of spying on your social life under the guise of romance. You think you’re just meeting someone who likes hiking? Nah. They’re tracking your group memberships, your event attendance, your political pages. This isn’t dating - it’s behavioral harvesting. And don’t get me started on how they use your data to sell ads later. Stay vigilant./p>
I’m a 48yo single mom in Ohio and this app saved me. I was on Bumble for 2 years and got 3 ghosted replies. Then I tried FB dating - matched with a guy who also volunteers at the animal shelter. We’ve been together 8 months. No swiping. No games. Just real connection. If you’re over 30 and tired of the app grind - this is your lifeline. 💕/p>
I didn’t believe it until it happened. I matched with someone because we both reacted to the same post about abandoned railway tracks in upstate NY. We talked for three hours about urban exploration. Then we went to a diner. Now we’re planning a road trip. It felt… organic. Like we were meant to find each other through the quiet corners of the internet. Not because of a photo. Not because of a bio. But because we both care about the same weird, beautiful things. I’m not even single anymore - and I still check FB dating every week just to see who else is out there./p>