Facebook Dating: Is It The Perfect Match For Gen Z And Millennials?

The Unexpected Success of Facebook Dating

Chance Townsend, Mashable’s General Assignments Editor, dives into the digital realm of Facebook Dating – a platform that surprisingly reports 21.5 million daily users as of November. With U.S. users leading the charge, 1.77 million of them are between 18 and 29 years old, suggesting a younger crowd’s growing interest in the service.

Despite these impressive figures, Townsend expresses skepticism. "Who are these people?" he muses, noting that no one in his Gen Z and Zillennial circles has ventured into Facebook’s dating extension. The dramatic eye rolls from his friends upon hearing his plan to explore the app suggest its popularity might not be as widespread among young adults as Meta claims.

Can Facebook Compete with the Dating Giants?

When comparing Facebook Dating to its competitors, Townsend highlights that while Tinder boasts 50 million monthly users and Hinge 15 million, Facebook Dating's daily active users position it alongside these major players. Intrigued, he sets up a profile to discover what all the buzz is about, only to find the experience surprisingly underwhelming.

“I can't believe I spent my week on this,” Townsend quips, recalling his deep dive into Facebook's dating scene.

Facebook Dating shares many features with its counterparts like Tinder and Bumble, allowing users to create detailed profiles, answer prompts, and even generate an AI-powered bio. However, the app stands out by offering a completely free, non-monetized experience – a rarity in the dating app world.

Challenges in Finding Your Match

Despite its promises, Facebook Dating doesn’t quite deliver a seamless experience. Townsend notes issues with filtering preferences, as his matches often appeared far beyond his set geographical range. Furthermore, the platform seems to cater more to users aged 35 and above, aligning with Facebook’s general user demographics.

More frustrating was Townsend’s lack of matches. Even with a standard profile, he received no likes or connections during his two-week trial, which was surprising given his success on other platforms like Raya.

A Platform for Older Love?

While Facebook Dating might not cater to the 18 to 29 demographic as effectively as Meta hopes, it seems to be a hit among those over 40. Townsend’s experience suggests that the app is a better fit for older daters, given the prevalence of profiles from this age group in his matches.

Ultimately, Townsend concludes that while Facebook Dating may not be the best choice for young adults, it could still serve as a valuable platform for older users seeking companionship. As for him, he’s off to explore other options like Feeld, in search of better dating prospects.