Single? Facebook wants to help you change your relationship status.
The social network is introducing a dating feature that will allow users to build profiles to meet potential suitors.
The new feature is “not just for hookups,” Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said Tuesday at the company’s developer conference. Rather, it’s designed to build “meaningful, long-term relationships.”
The news immediately triggered a sell-off in shares associated with existing dating services. Match Group, the parent company of Match.com, saw its stock drop more than 22 percent. IAC, the parent of hookup app Tinder and Match Group, fell more than 16 percent.
Users will have to opt into Facebook’s dating feature and their profiles will be separate from their regular Facebook profiles.
“(M)atches will be recommended based on dating preferences, things in common and mutual friends,” Facebook said in a statement. “They’ll have the option to discover others with similar interests through their Groups or Events. However, what people do within the dating feature will not be shown to their friends.”
source: www.columbian.com