Facebook is likely the last company you think about when you hear the words "dating app." But now the social network is beginning the (very slow) rollout of Facebook Dating, its first foray into online dating. The service, which will be part of the main Facebook app rather than its own standalone app, is making its public debut this week. For Facebook, which has spent the higher a part of the final yr encouraging customers to be certain that their time on the social community is “well spent” with extra updates from family and friends, relationship is the newest take a look at of whether or not or not the firm can add worth to customers’ private lives. It additionally comes at a time when skepticism and privateness issues are at an all-time excessive. That could be why Facebook is beginning gradual. Initially, the relationship options will solely be obtainable in Colombia, which, in accordance to Facebook product supervisor Nathan Sharp, was chosen as a result of on-line relationship is already fashionable there and it has a “mix of rural and metropolitan areas.” Beginning today, some Facebook users in the country will be able to opt into Facebook Dating and make profiles. The matching part, where you can actually find dates, will come later once enough people have joined. At first glance, Facebook's take on dating looks like any other generic dating app. There's splashy, oversized profile photos, accompanied by a first name, age, location, and how many mutual Facebook friends you may have. Tap into a profile and you can see additional photos, and answers to OkCupid-style questions like "What does your perfect day look like?"
But the social media firm is making an attempt to differentiate itself from different relationship apps in a number of methods. Namely that it isn’t meant for individuals looking for informal hookups, one thing Mark Zuckerberg pressured earlier this yr when he first teased Facebook Dating onstage at F8. Throughout the product, there are delicate cues to reinforce this concept. There’s no swiping, for one factor. Instead, you merely faucet on profiles of individuals you need to join with, and you’ll solely “express interest” in 100 individuals a day (ostensibly to discourage individuals who swipe proper on everybody in hopes of maximizing their matches). Speaking of matches, there aren’t any “matches” in the manner that there are on different relationship apps. You can see who has proven curiosity in you at any given time, even when you have not tapped on their profile. There are a few other Facebook-specific features: you can browse profiles based on events you're attending and your groups. Sharp notes that members of groups must opt in separately to ensure privacy. And while there's little connection between your main Facebook profile and your Facebook Dating profile, bad behavior on Facebook Dating could get you suspended from all of Facebook. Messaging is also a tad less effortless than in other dating apps. Facebook requires you to acknowledge some aspect of the person's profile — either a photo or an answer to one of their questions — in order to send them a message. The messaging part of the service is also separate and much more stripped down than Facebook Messenger. The feature is limited to text and emoji only — you can't exchange photos, links, or other media. The purpose for this, like the remainder of the service, ties again to Facebook’s aim of fostering “meaningful relationships,” says Sharp. “It makes sure that most messages that are coming through are hopefully unique and relevant instead of generic one-liners that people can send to anyone.”
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