When Meta first rolled out Threads, it was supposed to be a friendly, Twitter-style app for casual conversations. A space where people could talk about what’s on their minds, share quick updates, and build small, intimate communities. But like most things on the internet, users had other ideas. Now, Threads is starting to feel more like a dating app, where flirty exchanges and subtle romantic undertones are becoming more common. So what’s going on here? Why is this happening on a platform meant for simple conversations? And more importantly, can Meta even stop it?
If we’ve learned anything from the history of social media, it’s that platforms often take on a life of their own. No matter how they start, once people get involved, things change. Look at Instagram. It began as a simple photo-sharing app, but today it’s one of the biggest platforms for influencers, businesses, and yes, dating.
The same thing happened with Twitter. While Twitter was designed for sharing quick, public updates, the platform has long been used for everything from finding jobs to finding dates. Users just have a way of adapting platforms to their own social needs. So it’s no surprise that Threads, with its casual, text-based conversations, is also starting to feel like a place where people can connect on a more personal—and sometimes romantic—level.
One big reason why Threads might be turning into a low-key dating app is its design. Unlike Facebook or Instagram, where you have a constant flood of photos, videos, and stories, Threads is all about words. And words can feel more personal, more meaningful.
Conversations on Threads tend to be more relaxed and slower-paced, which might encourage people to open up and share more about themselves. It’s easy to see how this kind of environment could lead to deeper, more personal interactions—and eventually flirtation. Plus, without a ton of filters or strict guidelines, users can let conversations flow in any direction they want, and sometimes that direction is romantic.
What makes this situation even more interesting is that Meta (formerly Facebook) has already dipped its toes into the dating world with Facebook Dating. Back in 2019, they launched Facebook Dating, a feature built right into the main Facebook app. The idea was to help people find meaningful relationships through the connections they already had on the platform.
Facebook Dating allowed users to create separate profiles, match with people based on shared interests, and even use a "Secret Crush" feature to connect with people they already knew. By entering the dating space, Meta essentially acknowledged that people were already using their platforms to meet and flirt. Facebook Dating was just a more formalized version of what was happening organically.
So, while Threads wasn’t built as a dating app, it’s not a huge leap to imagine that users are simply extending what they’ve been doing on other Meta platforms—turning conversations into connections, and sometimes those connections into something more.
Now, the big question: can Meta actually stop Threads from turning into a dating app? Honestly, it’s tricky. Moderating human behavior—especially on social platforms—is tough. Meta could introduce stricter guidelines or even start flagging conversations that seem "too personal," but that would likely feel invasive and might drive users away. Plus, what’s the harm in a little flirting if it’s consensual?
Meta might be able to tweak the platform to make it harder for users to engage in flirty exchanges, but even then, people are resourceful. They’d probably just find ways around it. After all, even LinkedIn, a platform built for professional networking, has had its fair share of users trying to make romantic connections. At some point, it’s more about the users and less about the platform.
At the end of the day, this might just be part of the nature of the internet. No matter how a platform is designed, once you create a space where people can interact, some of those interactions are bound to get personal. And when you add anonymity, distance, and the sense of safety that comes with being behind a screen, flirting is just a natural byproduct.
Platforms evolve based on user behavior, and it’s clear that people use social media for more than just its original purpose. Instagram became a marketplace for influencers. Twitter became a political battleground. LinkedIn became a networking space and, for some, a dating pool. So it’s not too surprising that Threads is being shaped into something more intimate by its users.
As much as Meta might try to keep Threads focused on casual conversation, they might just have to accept that people will use it however they want—including for romantic connections. While it’s unlikely that Threads will become an official dating app, the way users behave might make it feel like one for some people. It’s a sign of how flexible and dynamic digital spaces have become—and how hard it is to control how people use them.
Meta’s move into dating with Facebook Dating shows that they’re not entirely opposed to fostering connections, even romantic ones. Maybe, instead of fighting the inevitable, Meta could lean into it—at least a little—and embrace the fact that people will always find a way to connect, no matter the platform.
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© 2025 Abhishek Upadhyay