How to Use Facebook Dating’s Search Feature to Find Local Singles Near You

Posted by on


 

Looking for love — or even a casual connection — has never been easier, thanks to the rise of dating apps. But one platform you might not have considered yet is Facebook Dating. Tucked inside the familiar blue app, Facebook Dating offers a simple, surprisingly personal way to meet singles in your area — without downloading yet another app. If you're wondering how to use Facebook Dating’s search feature to find local singles near you, this guide has you covered.

Let’s dive in.









What Is Facebook Dating?

Before we get into the how, it helps to understand what Facebook Dating actually is. Launched in 2019, Facebook Dating is a feature within the Facebook app — not a separate app — designed to help you build meaningful relationships based on things you have in common, like interests, events, groups, and, of course, location.

Unlike traditional Facebook profiles, your Dating profile is separate. Your friends won’t see your dating activity unless they are also using Facebook Dating (and even then, only under specific "Secret Crush" settings).

Key feature: It’s entirely free to use — no hidden premium features!

How to Set Up Your Facebook Dating Profile

First things first: You’ll need a Dating profile to start searching for singles. Setting up takes just a few minutes.

  1. Open the Facebook App
    Tap on the menu (☰) in the top right corner. Scroll until you find "Dating" and tap it. If you don’t see it, try updating your app or checking your settings.

  2. Create Your Dating Profile
    Facebook will guide you through the setup. You’ll add:

    • Profile pictures

    • Basic info (height, education, job, etc.)

    • A few fun prompts like "The one thing I’d love to know about you is..."

    You can also answer personality questions and add Instagram posts to your profile if you want.

  3. Set Your Preferences
    Choose the age range, gender, and — crucially — distance for potential matches. Facebook Dating lets you search for people as close as within a few miles or as far as 100 miles away.

Now, you're ready to search for local singles!

Using Facebook Dating’s "Search" Feature for Local Matches

One important thing to note: Facebook Dating doesn’t offer a classic search bar like Tinder’s “Explore” feature or Bumble’s filtering tools. Instead, it uses match suggestions based on your location, interests, and preferences.

Still, you can effectively search by using the built-in tools creatively.

1. Fine-Tune Your Location Settings

When you set up or edit your profile, you can choose your dating location.

  • Turn on Location Services to allow Facebook to match you with nearby singles automatically.

  • Alternatively, you can manually set your dating location. This is helpful if you're planning a move, traveling, or just want to search in a neighboring city.

Tip: If you're not getting many matches, try expanding your distance radius slightly — even by 10 miles can open up many more options.

2. Adjust Your Match Preferences

Under "Settings," you can filter matches by:

  • Age

  • Distance

  • Gender

  • Height

  • Education level

  • Children preferences

  • Religion

By setting specific filters, you're effectively "searching" for exactly the kind of singles you want to meet locally.

Pro Tip: Keep some filters broader initially to see more profiles, then narrow them down as you get a feel for who's out there.

3. Explore "Events" and "Groups"

One powerful but underrated Facebook Dating feature is its connection to Facebook Events and Groups.

  • If you RSVP to a local event, Facebook Dating may show you singles who are also attending.

  • Similarly, if you're in local Facebook groups — think "Chicago Runners" or "Nashville Foodies" — you’ll often be matched with people from those communities.

This is huge.
It means you can find singles who already share common interests and are nearby — and maybe even strike up a conversation about a mutual hobby.

4. Use "Second Look" to Revisit Matches

If you skipped over someone you later realize might have been a good match, you can use the Second Look feature.
This lets you revisit previous suggestions and reconsider your decision — a major upgrade compared to traditional swipe apps where once you swipe left, the person disappears forever.

Sometimes the spark isn't instant, and a second look can change your mind.

5. Check Out "Secret Crush"

Have someone in mind already? Facebook Dating’s Secret Crush feature lets you select up to nine Facebook friends or Instagram followers you’re interested in.

If they’re also using Facebook Dating and have picked you as a crush, you’ll both be notified of the match!

While this isn't traditional searching, it’s a clever way to connect with someone you already know locally — without any awkwardness unless the feeling is mutual.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While Facebook Dating is fairly intuitive, there are a few mistakes that can hurt your chances:

  • Not updating your location: Especially if you travel often, make sure your location is current.

  • Overly strict filters: Setting super-specific filters (like "must be 6'2", vegan, and have two PhDs") can limit your matches too much.

  • Inactive profile: Facebook's algorithm favors active users. Log in at least a few times a week to keep getting new suggestions.

  • Ignoring the Profile Prompts: The prompts aren’t just for fun — they let your personality shine, which can attract more matches.

Why Facebook Dating Might Be Better for Finding Local Singles

  • No swiping fatigue: You aren’t endlessly swiping — matches are thoughtfully curated.

  • Built-in Trust: Since profiles are tied to real Facebook accounts, catfishing is less common.

  • Shared Communities: Leveraging groups and events creates natural conversation starters.

  • Free to Use: Unlike some dating apps that lock features behind paywalls, everything on Facebook Dating is available for free.


Comments

Post a Comment