Singles, do you want to know . . . the who, what, and why behind Facebook dating?!
Is Facebook Dating another dating site looking to profit from singles truly wanting to find love, or a meaningless dating app where all the men and some women are just looking for a casual encounter, no-strings attached?
Being that Facebook has over 2 billion active users on a monthly basis, it would be understandable that it would be a slam dunk for Facebook to play matchmaker. But reviewers seem to think differently, that the Instagram owner could have done without entering the dating app world.
Why? Is it not a real thing to find true love? Are the guys still site-hopping hoping to land the girl they couldn’t land on Tinder?
I was introduced to Facebook Dating by a single friend who suggested I research it and do a review. I thought, Hey why not, I’ll give it a try. After all, I have nothing to lose and could provide my honest opinion to my single creative loves. Facebook actually did a preliminary setup of my profile and I was introduced to several matches. Honestly, I don’t know how Facebook decided on my matches, because I was never prompted to select my interests or what I wanted.
Fast-forward to a week later, and I had done nothing with the site. I completely forgot about it, even with the annoying alerts that I had likes and messages from “interested parties.” Truthfully, I couldn’t figure out how to work the darn thing. I was sitting with my children’s father at my son’s chess tournament and he saw me scrolling through and inquired what I was doing on a dating app. I told him I was doing market research, and he said that considering my current relationship status I shouldn’t be opening the door for drama. The blogger in me asked if he had been on the app and he said, “Yes, I’ve tried it.”
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Bingo! After deactivating my dating profile he allowed me to pick his brain while waiting for our son between chess matches. So ladies, thank me later!
Here’s the perspective of a single dad of two, in his thirties, with his own job, place, and a booming career who is looking for friendship and open to a LTR.
What made you try Facebook Dating?
To meet new people, have fun, and I was curious.
How does it differ from Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and the other dating sites?
I haven’t been on there long but from what I see so far, Facebook has a more diverse and mature selection of women. The photos and profiles are better quality than the other dating sites.
A lot, and I mean a lot of dating sites, like Tinder and POF, only have guys looking for casual encounters. What are you looking for? Are you one of those guys looking for the same but have drifted over to Facebook?
It’s hard for a single guy to go online and say “Hey, I’m looking for love” .” I look for a connection, chemistry—someone who is able to understand my situation and lifestyle. I’m a single dad of two young children who require a lot of my time and money, so I’m not looking for a woman who only wants to wine and dine at this stage. I need someone I can bring around my kids (long term), introduce to my family, and build and grow a relationship with. I’m past the “just wanna smash” phase.
If you were over the dating-app life, where would you go to meet someone?
I travel a lot on the train. I would approach a woman there if I was interested. Meet someone through friends or family. I walk a lot in the city; I could possibly run into someone that way.
How do you choose who you connect with?
I like a modest, humble woman. A woman who isn’t showing too much in her photos. Photos that show more of her personality and lifestyle. Her at the gym, hiking, at family functions, work, etc. If all her photos are of her in the social scene or at nightlife events, she wouldn’t be for me. I’m a homebody . . . simple. I prefer the woman in sneakers over heels.
Many people ask what the first date would be, but I want to know what the third date looks like? That’s when the true person typically shows up.
As I stated before, my time is extremely limited. I’m a chef, so I would invite her over for a dinner that I’ve prepared, for conversation, and end the night with wine and a movie. See, simple.
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What are some profile tips for the ladies?
Put out there what you want to receive. Remember your profile pic(s) is your first impression. If your photos are exposing your body parts and the outfits leave very little to the imagination, dudes will come at you that way. They’re going to shoot their shot. Not saying you can’t be you—you’re entitled to dress how you want and still want a meaningful relationship, but be prepared for a higher number of dudes to come with dick pics and nasty talk or ones with hidden agendas. We are in a world of visual over profile caption. Your profile pics should show who you really are and your interests, not that you’re at the bar every night.