This is not a blame game. But just think of a platform, that lets you talk to people and schedule meet-ups with them. Lets you choose who you want to speak with them, by first looking at their profiles. Kind of like Tinder. And now understand that Facebook is trying to do exactly that on Messenger.
Facebook is reportedly testing out a new feature for Messenger to help you connect with your friends by agreeing or refusing to meet up with them, Tinder-style. A report on Motherboard compared the new feature explicitly with Tinder. It shows you a variety of Friends in Messenger who might want to meet up with you. You can respond with a Yes or a No Thanks, and you’ll be notified only if both parties answer positively.
But there is of course, something original too. Rather than matching you with strangers, the new Messenger feature will match you up with your friends; so it’s not entirely like Tinder. A Facebook spokesperson told Motherboard, “People often use Facebook to make plans with their friends. So, we’re running a very small test in the Facebook app to make that easier.”
facebook-messenger-tinder
Image credit: Motherboard
One can only imagine the level of awkwardness this feature can have you reach. All of us have a handful of people on Facebook we have spoken a few times with, but you don’t really hang out with them. So imagine being notified for a meet-up with those people, and then you decline. This feature seems odd on every level. But there does seem to be a silver lining. If you have someone on your friend list you have had a crush on, or someone you have been meaning to meet for a long time, these AI-scheduled meetups could be a good icebreaker.
The feature is currently in beta, and its test is limited to a small number of users in parts of Toronto and New Zealand, on iOS and Android.