Back in May it was reported that Facebook would launch its own dating service, creatively named “Dating”. Now, Wired reports the social media giant has begun trialling the service in Colombia. Whilst no plans for expanding the trial have been announced, this is our first look at what we can expect when the platform arrives in Australia.
Watch: Mark Zuckerberg announces Facebook Dating
The platform will be attached to the Facebook app with no additional downloads needed and is completely optional. Those who choose to create profiles with the platform will only have their first name and age imported from their personal Facebook account.
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The remaining information you need to fill in is the same standard stuff on most other dating services; location, gender, and desired gender(s) for dating. You’ll be able to share up to nine photos and icebreaker questions, which currently include classic hits such as “What does your perfect day look like?” At this point users are not able to write their own questions.
The platform sets itself apart from competitors such as Tinder and Bumble by how people match and chat. Users will not be swiping left or right, and must start conversations by responding to one of the matches photos or questions.
One of the more exciting features is users have the ability to unlock past and future events and groups they’ve been part of on Facebook to find matches. You can literally go back to an event from 2010 and get amongst, however you’ll only be able to see those who have unlocked the event as well.
According to chief designer Chris Cox the entire concept of the feature is to “foster meaningful relationships”. The social media giant is hoping to build on and expand what their dating competitors have already created and achieved, and put online hook-ups to the side.
Whilst the trial has begun in Colombia there is no news as to when a larger rollout will begin. Until then we recommend getting amongst Tinder Places, which has the added bonus of sometimes saying you’ve been to a place even if you’ve been sitting on the couch binge-watching The Good Place for five hours.
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