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One in a Billion: Facebook Dating Tips

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I love match-making and setting people up. I adore loving happy couples and feeling partly responsible for their bliss. I introduced three couples who married so I already have my ticket for Jewish heaven, but a few bonus matches could mean an extra-fluffy cloud to rest on for eternity.

Since I'm a self-proclaimed yenta, I follow today's love market where online dating is the new set-up. ads say dating sites produce one in five relationships. Even Martha Stewart is seeking love on Mark Zuckerberg's original creation was designed to get back at an ex and what's better revenge than a great new relationship? The bitter beginnings don't mean Facebook can't offer happy endings. At least the Winklevoss twins won't sue for a share of your dates. Today Facebook's one billion-plus users make it a formidable yet more discreet dating site. If you're only looking for one in a billion, chances are he or she are on Facebook.

When a friend suggests meeting a co-worker or neighbor who might be great for you, most singles immediately check out his/her Facebook picture and visible profile info. Some Facebook tips for singles looking for love:

1. Have a picture that someone would look at and think, "Yes, I'd like to go on a date with him/her." That means a picture where your face and even body are in plain sight. That doesn't mean you in Picasso's blue period to show off your artsiness or a picture of Machu Picchu where you're a speck on a mountaintop. When you're on the date, you can share all about your Picasso mindmeld or your Machu Picchu trip.

2. Don't use a fake name or alias. Unless you're Angelina Jolie or a porn star, you don't need a stage name for privacy. It's just weird.

3. Don't have pictures of other people's babies in your profile picture. If you're single and looking to date, your primary profile picture shouldn't even have kids in it. You wouldn't introduce him to your kids on the first date (I hope!), so why be quick to introduce them virtually?

4. Don't have pictures of your other friends in your profile picture. The potential date might not know which one you are and not want to take a chance. They might be cuter or less cute. Don't be confusing. The desired response when viewing a picture is "Wow," not "Who?"

5. Your primary picture is not the voting booth. A picture of your favorite political candidate or slogan will not improve your chances.

6. Your favorite team's symbol will not help. Again, discuss your love for D Wade or the 49ers on the date.

7. A picture with a fun mask, sunglasses or a hat will be distracting and lead your potential set-up to say, "More info please." Give it to them in a picture sans large objects blocking you.

8. Pictures with the opposite sex, including your brother, cousin or boss, are not welcome here.

9. Set your relationship status to "Single." It sounds obvious, but sometimes people forget to do it. Advertise your availability.

10. Don't talk about last night's date in your Facebook status. It's a modern-day kiss-and-tell. You may not have friended each other yet, but vivid details about your date or making fun of his bad shoes or table manners will come around, if not directly, then via karma.

11. Set your privacy settings to make the basics on your profile public. Otherwise you're not searchable. You can make your albums and wall private. Making the basics unsearchable is like going to a bar to meet people, then spending the evening in the bathroom hiding.

12. Make sure you have a profile on Facebook in the first place. Facebook's been cooler, the stock price dropped and there are hipper sites, but if you're looking for love, it's odd and shady not to be there. Can a billion people be wrong?

Your great profile and picture could lead to a great date and a great relationship. Then there will be plenty of time to post pictures with your honey and kids in sunglasses and hats at Machu Picchu.

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