The social network introduced Facebook Dating domestically on Thursday after months of testing it in 19 other countries, including Argentina, Columbia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Facebook expects to roll out Facebook Dating to Europe by early next year.

“Facebook dating is a place to find love through the things you like, and what we mean by that is we’re trying to start meaningful relationships,” says Nathan Sharp, the product manager for Facebook Dating.

To succeed, Facebook must make inroads in a field that is already crowded with rivals. It must also International dating overcome user apprehension after a series of privacy problems-including a record-setting $5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission-and revelations about its service being used to spread misinformation.

Facebook users 18 years or older who want to use the new dating service must have the latest version of the Facebook app downloaded to their smartphones. (more…)