Facebook launches Dating feature in the Philippines

Facebook has rolled out its Dating feature in 19 countries, including the Philippines.

This in-app feature allows users to meet and start conversations with potential matches based on their preferences and interests.

Charmaine Hung, Technical Program manager for Facebook Dating, said that they noticed that more than 200 million people have listed themselves as single on Facebook, and that more and more Filipinos are making connections and celebrating relationships through the app.

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While the Dating feature can be found within the Facebook app, users will be required to create a separate Dating profile if they decide to opt in. Dating activity will not be shown on users' Facebook profiles or anyone else's.

Those who opt in to use the feature will only be suggested to non-friends, and optionally friends of friends, and vice versa.

"We know that not everyone who is single wants to date and not everyone who wants to date, wants to date online. So we do think this is a really incredible opportunity to help people," Hung said.

Facebook Dating has already launched in five countries previously, and was rolled out in 14 others today.

So what gives Facebook Dating an edge over existing dating apps? Hung gave three factors.

"We are really focused on meaningful relationships. I think that's what we really want to use this product for. We've taken out the games, the swiping, we really want you to be open to making new relationships," she said.

Furthermore, Facebook has put tight security measures in place to make sure no fake accounts will be able to sign up for the Dating feature.

One of the measures is requiring users to put out their real names and age, on top of the requirement that they have a Facebook profile first.

"Online dating is really scary for some people because you get a lot of scams, fake profiles, catfishing, all of this stuff make online dating have a really bad reputation," Hung said.

"We want everyone know that this a real person behind the profile and make you feel comfortable using it," she added.

Lastly, Hung said Facebook tried its best to put the best things about meeting in real life to online dating.

That manifested in features that allow users to meet potential matches in events they're attending, or get matched with Dating users among their Facebook groups.

"If you're already active in communities around you, like events or the groups in your interest, we want to help you find that in online dating also. It's not just about looks or one profile photo, it's about things you have in common and things you do in everyday life," she said. — LA, GMA News