More than ever before, people are turning to the online world to find them the perfect partner. Now, people are wondering if Instagram dating is the best way forward when it comes to meeting their soulmate. We’ll talk about how people are using Instagram for dating, and what exactly Facebook is doing about it.
Online Dating
Online dating is a big trend right now. Of course, there are websites like eHarmony, Tinder, and Bumble which are specifically designed to match people.
Many people have found their future spouse on these dating sites and gone on to live happy lives with the person who was at once a stranger. When you sign up for these apps, you know that you are looking for someone to start dating.
With Instagram dating, there are quite a lot of controversies since Instagram was never designed to become a dating app.
However, because of the increase of people who use Instagram to find people to date, Facebook (who own Instagram) have created their own dating site.
Facebook Dating Launches In The US
In September 2019, Facebook Dating launched in the US.
All you have to do is make a profile with Facebook Dating. It’s separate from your main Facebook account.
Facebook Dating claims that it creates a more authentic approach to finding someone online. They claim to match people who have similar interests.
This also looks like the beginning of Instagram dating. Facebook has said, “We’re also giving people the ability to integrate their Instagram posts directly into their Facebook Dating profile and giving people the ability to add Instagram followers to their Secret Crush lists, in addition to Facebook friends. By the end of the year, we’ll make it possible to add Facebook and Instagram Stories to your Dating profile too.”
Soon, when you add to your Instagram story, you can share it directly to your Facebook dating profile. This, of course, gives people a more authentic insight into how you live your daily life: what kind of food you eat, what you do after work, what your home looks like, and whatever else you post about on your Instagram stories.
Facebook will suggest people to you based on your preferences, interests and Facebook activity.
You don’t need to get matched like Tinder. If you like someone, you can “Like” them so they know, or comment directly on their posts.
With Facebook Dating, you can match with friends or friends, or strangers. You cannot match with your Facebook friends unless you both choose to use Secret Crush and add each other. All your Facebook dating activity will remain within Facebook Dating, and won’t be shared on the main Facebook platform.
Facebook Dating Using Instagram Stories
As mentioned, Facebook Dating will soon be utilizing Instagram stories. They claim this helps someone get to know someone better since they get videos as well as photos. They can keep up to date with aspects of this person’s day, depending on what they choose to share on their Facebook Dating stories.
This is a new feature when it comes to online dating since usually, users create a static profile that they only update when they feel necessary. This feature allows you to update your profile on a daily basis if you feel like it.
Of course, this integrates Instagram into this new dating realm.
Secret Crush
The next feature is “Secret Crush” which we’ve referenced a few times. But what exactly is it?
This feature allows you to match with people you already know on Facebook.
Typically, Facebook Dating won’t allow you to match with people you’re already friends with but Facebook users have expressed that they would like to try dating people they already know.
Therefore, you can use the Secret Crush function to add 9 of your Facebook friends to your Secret Crush list. To add someone from your Instagram followers section, you have to connect your Instagram and Facebook Dating account together.
If your crush has Facebook Dating, they will be notified that someone has a crush on them but they won’t know who it is unless they add you to their Secret Crush list, too. If they aren’t on Facebook Dating, don’t create a Secret Crush list or don’t add to your their list, they’ll never know that you entered their name.
Share Your Instagram Posts
While it’s called Facebook Dating, it certainly has elements of Instagram dating, too. You can actually add your Instagram posts to your Dating profile.
Your Instagram is a visual gallery of your life so it makes it easier to show off who you really are. Plus, it’s easier to source out those who have stuff in common with you.
Facebook Dating is currently available in 19 countries but will be coming to Europe in early 2020 so keep your eyes peeled!
What About Instagram Dating?
If you aren’t about creating a formal dating profile, and you prefer finding matches on Instagram, it’s still a pretty good way to go.
In fact, many people claim that Instagram is a dating profile as well as a visual sharing platform.
Many 21st century relationships have begun on Instagram! We’ll talk about how Instagram helps with dating and finding your perfect match.
The first obvious thing is that you can see who looks at your Instagram stories. Perhaps there’s someone you notice that always watches your Instagram stories. Rumour has it that those who watch your Instagram stories the most frequently will appear at the top of your list of viewers. So maybe you notice that guy is always watching them but he doesn’t say anything.
This is a good way to tell someone is interested in you and you can strike up a conversation because of it.
Some claim that Instagram is basically a portfolio. When you meet someone new, checking their social media is probably one of the first things you’ll do.
So it’s important to make sure that your Instagram feed reflects the real you. You can use it to showcase your interests, passions and daily life!
Because of this, it’s easier to make a connection with those who might have similar interests. If you find someone in your area who posts a ton of pictures of surfing, and you too are an ocean lover, then it’s easy to strike up a conversation with this person in the hopes that you’ll become friends. Then perhaps maybe more.
Dating on Instagram is pretty straightforward. People tend to be bold on the app, too. If you post a story, it’s most likely in the hopes that people will respond. Therefore, your crush won’t be as nervous to reply to something you post.
You can definitely use Instagram for dating and find your ideal match. Of course, it’s also easy to go overboard and notice every single detail of their lives that they share online!
How To Use Instagram For Dating
Instagram is slowly becoming a popular choice for dating. It’s more real than a profile tinder. Plus, you have more space to showcase your life than you do with apps like Tinder.
On the other hand, it’s got everything you need! Stories, feeds, like and comment options, and private messaging. You can do the whole online dating thing straight from the app.
If you decide you want to use Instagram to date, here’s why it’s a good choice.
#1 – More Matches
Firstly, you’ll get more matches with the right people through Instagram. With Tinder, sometimes all you look at is a few photos before you swipe right. Therefore, you’ve probably found yourself matching with some people that don’t exactly have the personality to match the looks.
With Instagram, you have the option of looking at the person more in-depth. You can read a bio about them, see their photos, see who their friends are, read their captions and watch their stories.
With more information to go on, you’re more likely to only become interested in someone that suits you pretty well. Therefore, you’ll get more matches that better match if you choose Instagram dating.
#2 – Fewer Creeps
With dating apps, intentions aren’t often pure. With Instagram, people join the app to share photos with their friends, families and online communities. Within the app itself, people aren’t actively looking for hookups or relationships.
This means that when someone does message you on Instagram, it’s likely that they genuinely want to get to know you. Yes, they might have a secret crush on you, too, but they wouldn’t risk messaging you if they didn’t think you could be a good match.
Whereas with apps like Tinder, you could both be on the app for the same reason and therefore, it’s hard to weed out the ones that are genuinely looking for a relationship.
#3 – Flirting Is Exciting On Instagram
With Instagram dating, there’s definitely excitement within using the app to date.
If you find someone you like, simply liking their photos can bring a smile to their face.
You can use Instagram to get your flirt game on. A DM here and a story reaction there is all it takes to pique someone’s interest.
#4 – You Seem More Authentic
It’s pretty easy to fake your online dating profile. You might even use older photos to seem younger.
However, with Instagram, it’s a lot harder to do that. You likely have more photos of yourself on the app. Combine that with Instagram stories, and you’ll get a better idea of how someone really looks at all times of the day.
On the other hand, you will have your followers. If you only have a few followers, it’s pretty easy to weed out the fake accounts. Then you can run.
But if someone has a few hundred or more followers, then it’s easy to confirm that it’s a real account.
No wasting time talking to catfish with Instagram dating!
#5 – There Will Always Be Something To Say
If you meet someone in real life and exchange numbers, it’s really hard to think of what to say the next morning when you go to text them.
However, with Instagram dating, even if you’ve already met in person, it’s a lot easier to strike up an awesome conversation. Just look through their recent photos, and strike up a conversation.
Perhaps they have a photo of their dog on Instagram. Ask about it! Or maybe they have a really beautiful selfie. Compliment it. Perhaps they have a photo of their recent vacation to Paris. You’ve been there, too? Amazing. Talk about your travels!
#6 – Dopamine Levels Go Crazy
It’s scientifically proven that when you get a notification on your phone, your brain releases dopamine. Dopamine affects our ability to think plan. It helps us to strive, focus and find things interesting.
With Instagram dating, you’ll have your dopamine levels increasing often which results in that feel-good feeling you get when texting someone.
People post Instagram posts and stories to be validated. When you respond to the person you’re interested in, their brain will release dopamine which will feel good and most likely, motivate them to respond to you.
Therefore, Instagram dating? Pretty easy.
Instagram Dating Controversy
Although it seems like Instagram dating is the way forward and that there appears to be no flaws with this approach, not everyone agrees.
The main reason that people get annoyed with those “sliding into their DMs” is because Instagam was not designed to be a dating app.
Often times, people will DM someone inappropriately. For example, I’m a married woman who uses Instagram to talk about books and lifestyle. Yet I do often get creeps sliding into my DMs looking to strike up a romantic conversation.
It can be frustrating when you have joined Instagram for one reason, yet people treat you as though you’re here to find love.
It’s definitely unsettling when you’re using Instagram for business, but people are appearing in your DMs and comment section with inappropriate comments.
This is a big reason why Facebook Dating was created. Facebook has also recently been saturated with strangers messaging strangers to strike up a romance. While this is fine, Facebook definitely needed a more secure way to approach humanity’s thirst for love.
So now, hopefully, fewer creeps will slide into your DMs if you’re not looking and instead, they’ll utilize Facebook Dating.
Thankfully, Instagram makes it super easy to block people on the app so that you can limit the weirdos that are trying to use Instagram to date you. Click here to read about how to block people on Instagram.