Facebook's "Secret Crush" Feature Is Like a Dating App — Here's How to Use It

Courtesy of Facebook

You know that Facebook friend you've secretly been wanting to ask out for months? Well, now Facebook is offering a way to find out if they like you, too. In a statement at the annual F8 developer conference on Tuesday, the social media platform announced that it's taking Facebook Dating to a whole new level with Secret Crush, a dating feature that encourages you to match with your friends.

As part of Facebook Dating — previously only available in Colombia, Thailand, Canada, Argentina, and Mexico — Secret Crush will now also be available in 14 new countries: the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Guyana, and Suriname.

Create a profile, which doesn't show up on any other parts of Facebook, and the site will use your dating preferences and interests to pair you with the people who are most right for you. The best part? If your crush hasn't opted into Dating, chooses not to create a Secret Crush list, or doesn't put you on their list, no one will know that you've put their name on your list. So there's nothing to be embarrassed about if the feeling isn't mutual. Keep reading for a full breakdown on how to use Secret Crush.

Start by setting up your profile and selecting how you identify.

Start by setting up your profile and selecting how you identify.

As far as how your potential partners identify, Facebook allows you to make multiple selections.

As far as how your potential partners identify, Facebook allows you to make multiple selections.

Scroll through your Facebook Dating feed to see who might be a good match for you.

Scroll through your Facebook Dating feed to see who might be a good match for you.

You can select suggested matches based on groups you're in and events you plan to attend.

You can select suggested matches based on groups you're in and events you plan to attend.

Click through profiles to see if you share the same interests.

Click through profiles to see if you share the same interests.

Have conversations with potential matches outside of Facebook's standard Messenger app.

Have conversations with potential matches outside of Facebook's standard Messenger app.

Search through the friends who have joined Facebook Dating to make your selection.

Search through the friends who have joined Facebook Dating to make your selection.

Select up to nine friends on Secret Crush who you'd like to express interest in.

Select up to nine friends on Secret Crush who you'd like to express interest in.

Secret Crush will alert you as soon as you've been matched with someone.

Secret Crush will alert you as soon as you've been matched with someone.

Head to your crush's Secret Crush profile to start a conversation and see what happens!

Head to your crush's Secret Crush profile to start a conversation and see what happens!