The largest social media company in the world is now poised to become the world’s largest hookup app dating app.
Facebook has announced plans to add a dating component to its main mobile app.
At the F8 developer conference keynote in San Jose, CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke about the new layer that’s coming 14 years after the network launched.
“There are 200 million people on Facebook who list themselves as single,” he told the crowd. “So clearly there’s something to do here.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Related: This simple new tool lets you see exactly who’s blocked you on Grindr
Though some speculated that the service will only be available to people who list themselves as single, there is no indication that one’s listed status will affect usability of the soon-to-launch feature.
The move puts Match Group, the company that owns and operates Tinder and OkCupid, into direct competition. It will be interesting to see how they’re able to fare against the social giant. How’s that working out for Snapchat?
And while apps like Grindr and Scruff offer something a little different for gay users, we imagine they’ll be following this news closely.
One interesting prospect is an “unlocking” feature that Facebook product chief Chris Cox discussed on stage after Zuckerberg’s announcement.
The dating feature will integrate with Facebook events, allowing users to “unlock” their dating profile for other RSVP’d attendees of an event. We could definitely see a real value potential there.
Related: Adam Rippon met a man on Tinder and they just went public
And though there are undoubtedly many seeking deep connection via apps, Zuck also acknowledged the reality of what a mobile “dating” service really is:
“This is going to be for building real, long-term relationships — not just for hookups,” he said, tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Privacy is also a natural concern with any move Facebook makes these days: “We have designed this with privacy and safety in mind from the beginning. Your friends aren’t going to see your profile, and you’re only going to be suggested to people who are not your friends.”
There’s no release date as of yet, but Cox said a testing phase will be underway sometime this year.
Watch:
tham
That should make hooking up at High School reunions easier.
The problem with FB is that, it’s the CBS of social networking.
Kangol
This company is shameless. After turning over its data to a vile company that gamed a major foreign referendum and then helped to steal a presidential election, and after not addressing multiple issues that have made activists and ordinary people across the globe vulnerable to violence and worse, Facebook is now trying to figure out how to make more money by creating a dating site/app? NO THANKS!
CastleSF
I believe if most gays have to choose between Facebook and Grindr, they will pick Facebook for sure.
NateOcean
What? This from the same Facebook algorithm that provides me an endless daily s#it stream of fake “friend” requests (mostly from Thai prostitutes, and some random teenagers in Barcelon, Spain.
Thad
Another reason I’m glad I have nothing to do with Facebook. Don’t use it. Never will.