Starting today in Columbia, the networking site Facebook starts testing searching matches online. The Facebook Dating feature focuses mainly on its integration with Groups and Events that will encourage people to meet in public.
The feature will be found under the hamburger menu symbol, provide free access to people aged 18 years and above, and is exclusively available to mobile app users now.
The unexpected announcement was already made in May that the platform would show interest in the most personal part of one’s life.
This is about creating real, long-term relationships, and not just hookups! – CEO Zuckerberg back in May
Today, Facebook is publicly testing its online dating service, Dating, in Colombia. For now, users aged 18 and older in Colombia will be able to create dating profiles and, once those reach a critical mass, will be able to find some matches.
The reason to bring its dating service in Colombia, according to Facebook, is that online dating is already popular there, and it has a “mix of rural and metropolitan areas.” As per reports, the preview looks promising, especially for users looking for meaningful long-term relationships rather than just hookups as promised by the CEO.
For Facebook, which has spent the better part of the last year encouraging users to make sure their time on the social network is “well spent” with more updates from friends and family, dating is the latest test of whether or not the company can add value to users’ personal lives. It also comes at a time when skepticism and privacy concerns are at an all-time high.
But the social media company is trying to differentiate itself from other dating apps in a few ways; the first most highlighting difference is that there’s no swiping. Instead, you simply tap on profiles of people you’d like to connect with. Speaking of matches, there are no “matches” in the way that is there on other dating apps.
The Facebook dating feature is limited to text and emoji-only, which means you can’t exchange photos, links, or other media. This is because Facebook ties itself to the goal of fostering meaningful relationships.
Now, that’s a whole lot of difference, hope the Colombians find it really fun and interesting and have a good time.
