Looking for a free alternative to Tinder or Bumble that genuinely connects you with people who share your interests? The Facebook Dating app might be worth checking out. With 21 million daily active users as of 2025—more than Hinge—it’s quietly become a serious contender in online dating.
Unlike standalone dating apps, Facebook Dating is integrated directly into the Facebook mobile app. It leverages your existing social network to suggest matches based on shared events, groups, and mutual friends, while keeping your dating activity completely private from your main profile.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know: how Facebook Dating works, what features set it apart, how to set it up, and whether it’s actually worth using compared to other dating apps in 2025.
What Is the Facebook Dating App?
Facebook Dating is a free dating feature integrated into the Facebook mobile app (iOS and Android). It launched in 2019 and has gradually expanded to 52 countries worldwide as of 2025.
Here’s how it’s different from Tinder, Bumble, or Hinge:
- Not a separate app: You access it through the regular Facebook app—no extra download needed
- 100% free: No premium subscriptions, no paywalls, no features locked behind payment
- Connects through interests: Matches you with people who attended the same events, joined similar groups, or share mutual friends
- Private from your main profile: Friends can’t see you’re using Dating unless you both match
- No swiping required: You can comment on specific photos or prompts instead of just swiping left/right
The big appeal? You get context about potential matches beyond just their photos. If someone joined the same hiking club or went to that music festival you attended, you’ve got an instant conversation starter.
Key Features That Make Facebook Dating Different
Facebook Dating packs several unique features you won’t find on other dating platforms:
1. Events and Groups Matching
This is the killer feature. Facebook suggests matches based on:
- Facebook groups you both joined (book clubs, running groups, professional networks)
- Events you both attended or marked “interested” (concerts, meetups, conferences)
- Mutual friends (if you enable this setting)
Why does this matter? Because you’re matching with people who actually share your interests and lifestyle, not just random profiles within a 10-mile radius. If you both love indie concerts or volunteer at animal shelters, that’s way more meaningful than “we both like pizza.”
2. Secret Crush
Got a crush on a Facebook friend or Instagram follower but don’t want to risk the awkwardness of telling them directly? Secret Crush solves this.
Here’s how it works:
- Add up to 9 Facebook friends or Instagram followers to your Secret Crush list
- If they also add you to their list, you both get notified and match
- If they don’t use Dating or aren’t interested, they never know you added them
It’s low-risk, no-awkwardness way to shoot your shot with people you already know.
3. Dating Assistant (New in 2025)
Facebook rolled out an AI-powered Dating Assistant in September 2025. Instead of manually setting filters for age, height, education, etc., you can just type natural requests like:
- “Find me a Brooklyn girl who works in tech”
- “Show me someone who loves hiking and lives near Seattle”
- “I want to meet a guy who’s into indie music and coffee”
The AI searches profiles based on your criteria and even suggests improvements to your own profile to attract better matches. It’s rolling out gradually across the US and Canada.
4. Meet Cute (New in 2025)
Tired of endless swiping? Meet Cute delivers one algorithmically-selected “surprise match” per week based on compatibility. You can either start a conversation or pass. It’s designed to reduce decision fatigue.
According to Meta’s September 22, 2025 announcement, these features address “swipe fatigue”—that burned-out feeling from scrolling through hundreds of profiles.
5. Video Chat Before Meeting
You can video chat with matches directly in the app before meeting in person. It’s a safety feature and a good way to screen for chemistry without committing to a first date.
6. Second Look
Accidentally passed on someone? Second Look lets you review profiles you previously skipped. Unlimited do-overs—something Tinder charges for with premium subscriptions.
7. Live Location Sharing
When you’re meeting someone for the first time, you can share your live location with trusted Facebook friends. They’ll know where you are and who you’re with for added safety.
How Facebook Dating Works: The Basics
Here’s the step-by-step process from setup to matching:
Setting Up Your Profile
- Open the Facebook mobile app (must be iOS or Android—no desktop version exists)
- Tap the menu icon (three lines) and find “Dating”
- Tap “Get Started” to create your profile
- Add photos (at least 3-5 recommended)
- Write a bio (up to 500 characters)
- Answer conversation prompts (“My ideal Sunday,” “I geek out on…”)
- Set match preferences (age range, distance, etc.)
- Optionally link your Instagram account
Your Dating profile is separate from your main Facebook profile. Your name and age are pulled from Facebook, but friends won’t see you’re using Dating unless you match with them.
Finding Matches
Facebook suggests matches based on:
- Your preferences (age, location, distance)
- Shared interests (groups, events)
- Mutual connections (if enabled)
- Your activity and what profiles you engage with
You’ll see a feed of suggested profiles. For each one, you can:
- Like their profile: Tap the heart icon
- Comment on a photo or prompt: Tap the photo and write a message
- Pass: Tap the X
The key difference from swiping apps: you can start conversations by commenting on specific parts of their profile, not just generic “Hey” messages.
Getting Matches and Messaging
If someone likes you back or responds to your comment, you match and can start chatting. Unlike Bumble, anyone can message first—there’s no “women must message within 24 hours” rule.
Conversations happen in a separate Dating inbox. Your main Facebook Messenger stays untouched.
How to Set Up Facebook Dating
Quick setup guide (takes 5-10 minutes):
Requirements:
- 18 years or older
- Live in one of 52 supported countries (US, Canada, UK, most of Europe, parts of Asia)
- Have the latest version of Facebook mobile app
- Enable location services
Steps:
- Update Facebook app to latest version
- Enable location permissions (Settings > Facebook > Location > While Using App)
- Open Facebook, tap Menu (three lines)
- Scroll to “Dating” (may be under “See More” in shortcuts)
- Tap “Get Started” and follow prompts
- Add photos, write bio, answer prompts
- Set match preferences
- Review privacy settings
If “Dating” doesn’t show up in your menu, you might be in an unsupported country, under 18, or using an outdated app. Check the Facebook Help Center for troubleshooting.
Facebook Dating vs. Tinder vs. Bumble: How They Compare
Here’s how Facebook Dating stacks up against the big players in 2025:
| Feature | Facebook Dating | Tinder | Bumble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 100% free | Free + Premium ($15-40/mo) | Free + Premium ($20-40/mo) |
| Active Users (US, 2025) | ~1.77M (18-29) | ~7.3M (all ages) | ~3.6M (all ages) |
| Daily Active Users (Global) | 21M | Higher | Lower |
| Matching Method | Events, groups, interests | Swipe on photos | Swipe (women message first) |
| Primary User Intent | Relationships | Casual/hookups/relationships | Relationships (72% seeking long-term) |
| Age Demographic | Late 20s-40s | 18-30s | 25-40s |
| Desktop Access | No | Yes | Yes |
| Video Chat | Yes (built-in) | Yes (paid feature) | Yes (built-in) |
Sources: SwipeStats, Meta Newsroom (Sept 2025)
Key takeaway: Facebook Dating works best if you prioritize free access and connections based on shared real-world interests. Tinder wins for sheer volume of users, Bumble wins for relationship-focused features, and Facebook Dating wins for cost (free) and social context.
Pros and Cons of Facebook Dating
After analyzing user reviews, tech articles, and comparing features, here’s the honest breakdown:
Pros
- Completely free: No premium tiers—unlimited likes, see who liked you, undo passes. Features that cost $20-40/month on other apps.
- Great match context: Knowing you both attended the same concert or joined the same book club makes starting conversations easier.
- Secret Crush feature: Low-risk way to express interest in friends without awkwardness.
- Growing user base: 21M daily users globally as of 2025, with young adult usage up 10% year-over-year.
- Privacy controls: Dating profile separate from main Facebook—friends won’t know unless you match.
- New AI features: Dating Assistant and Meet Cute reduce decision fatigue.
Cons
- Smaller active user base: Fewer users than Tinder or Bumble, especially in rural areas.
- Clunky interface: Not as polished as dedicated dating apps. Feels like a feature bolted onto Facebook, not a standalone product.
- Privacy concerns: You’re sharing dating preferences with Meta, a company with a mixed privacy track record.
- Mobile only: No desktop/web version.
- Limited in some regions: Only available in 52 countries—large parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America excluded.
- Account requirements: Need an active Facebook account—dealbreaker if you’ve quit Facebook or have a new account.
Who Should Use Facebook Dating?
Best for:
- People seeking relationships (not casual hookups)
- Users tired of paying $20-40/month for dating apps
- Those who want matches based on shared activities and interests
- Active Facebook users in major cities
- Ages 25-45 looking for meaningful connections
Not ideal for:
- People in rural areas or countries where it’s not available
- Users concerned about Meta’s data practices
- Those who prefer standalone dating apps with polished UX
- Anyone seeking casual dating/hookups (Tinder is better for this)
- People without Facebook accounts
Real User Reviews and Success Rates
Based on reviews from SwipeStats, Reddit, and app stores, Facebook Dating averages about 3.5/5 stars.
Common positive feedback:
“Matched with someone from a hiking group I’m in—way better than matching with random strangers. We had so much to talk about from the start.”
Common complaints:
“Ran out of profiles in my area within a week. User base is too small compared to Bumble.”
Match quality tends to rate higher than quantity. People report more substantive conversations because of shared interests, but fewer overall matches compared to Tinder or Bumble.
Tips for Success on Facebook Dating
To get the most out of the platform:
- Join relevant groups and events: The more Facebook groups you’re in and events you mark “interested,” the better your match suggestions.
- Use 5+ photos: Mix close-ups, full-body shots, and activity photos. Profiles with more photos get significantly more matches.
- Fill out all prompts: “I geek out on” and “My ideal Sunday” give people conversation hooks. Blank profiles get skipped.
- Comment on photos/prompts instead of just liking: You’re 3x more likely to get a response if you write something specific like “That hiking trail looks amazing—where is it?” vs. just tapping the heart.
- Link Instagram: Shows you’re a real person with an actual life. Just make sure your Instagram reflects who you are.
- Try the Dating Assistant: Use natural language to describe what you’re looking for instead of manually filtering—it’s more effective.
- Enable Secret Crush: You never know—that friend you’ve been curious about might be interested too.
Privacy and Safety Features
Facebook Dating includes several safety measures:
- Profile separation: Dating profile doesn’t show on your main Facebook
- Live location sharing: Share real-time location with trusted friends during dates
- Block and report: Easy tools to block users or report inappropriate behavior
- Video chat before meeting: Screen matches via video call before committing to in-person dates
- No DM access: Matches can’t access your main Facebook Messenger unless you choose to connect
That said, you’re still sharing data with Meta. According to Meta’s privacy policy, they don’t use your Dating activity for ad targeting on Facebook proper, but they do collect data about your preferences and interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Facebook Dating app separate from Facebook?
No, it’s built into the main Facebook mobile app. You access it through the menu—there’s no standalone Dating app to download. Your Dating profile, however, is separate from your main Facebook profile.
How much does Facebook Dating cost?
It’s 100% free. No subscriptions, no premium tiers, no features locked behind paywalls. Everything from unlimited likes to seeing who liked you is free—features that cost $15-40/month on Tinder or Bumble.
Will my Facebook friends see I’m using Dating?
No. Your dating activity is private. Friends won’t be suggested as matches (unless you add them to Secret Crush), and nothing posts to your newsfeed. The only way friends would know is if they also use Dating and you match with each other.
Can I use Facebook Dating without a Facebook account?
No. You need an active Facebook account to use Dating. The feature pulls your name, age, and optionally your photos from your main profile.
How many people use Facebook Dating?
As of 2025, Facebook Dating has 21 million daily active users globally across 52 countries. In the US specifically, about 1.77 million users are ages 18-29. According to Meta, “Hundreds of thousands of young adults in the US and Canada create Facebook Dating profiles every month” as of September 2025.
Does Facebook Dating work for serious relationships?
Yes, it’s designed for meaningful connections rather than hookups. The emphasis on shared groups, events, and interests attracts users looking for relationships. The user base skews slightly older (late 20s-40s) and more relationship-oriented than Tinder.
Can I use Facebook Dating on my computer?
No. Facebook Dating is only available on the mobile app for iOS and Android. There’s no web or desktop version as of 2025.
What countries is Facebook Dating available in?
52 countries as of 2025, including the US, Canada, UK, most of Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.), and parts of Asia (Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam) and Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile). Check the Facebook Help Center for the full list.
Last updated: November 2025