Dating + Social Media: The New Rules

Showing your romantic interest without looking too thirsty is a difficult balance to strike, especially on social media. After you’ve ‘researched’ your new crush online and gone on a few dates, when do you add them on Snapchat? Is it cool to like their Facebook status? How soon can you post an Instagram pic together? Don’t be fooled: these moves matter.

- Candice Jalili

‘They’re baby steps for testing your partner’s interest in being public and showing affection towards you,’ says sociologist Lisa Wade. With that in mind, here are your (super) specific guidelines for integrating a new partner into all aspects of your social-media life during every phase of your budding relationship.

AFTER THREE DATES

Friend or Follow ‘Wait at least three dates before making the first move (sending a friend request or hitting “follow”), so you’re sure you like them enough to see them in your feed,’ says Laurie Davis Edwards, founder and CEO of eFlirt. ‘If you do it before this point, it could come off like you’re trying to dig up dirt.’ (Of course, you can carefully back-stalk them before this if their account isn’t private.)

WITHIN SEVEN DAYS

LIKE A POST

Once you’re in the ‘friend’ zone, throw them one or two Likes that same week, says Leonard Kim, personal branding and social media expert at InfluenceTree. But if you’re scrolling