Taking into consideration the last few months of controversey surrounding Facebook and data concerns, it may come as a surprise to some that the social media giant is now taking a leap into the world of online dating.

The CEO said he has been thanked by countless couples who have he has met over the years saying they had met on Facebook.

“There are 200 million people on Facebook who list themselves as single,” the CEO said.

“And if we are committed to building meaningful relationships, then this is perhaps the most meaningful of all.”

He said: “These are some of the moments that I’m really proud of what we’re doing. I know that we’re making a positive difference in people’s lives.”

Zuckerberg said that the feature would live within the Facebook app and would be completely optional.

He also said that they have “designed this with privacy and safety in mind from the beginning.”

Users dating profiles would not be viewable to their friend’s list and they would only be suggested people who are not their friends who fit into your preferences.

Zuckerberg emphasised that the feature would focus on “long-term releationships” and not hook-ups.

Yesterday’s announcement was met with some immediate reactions from many of the major players in the world of online dating.

Gay dating app Grindr, which counts more than three million daily users, told PinkNews in a statement that they “applaud Facebook’s move into the dating space.”

Grindr noted the social media giant might struggle to meet the needs of an LGBT audience.

“We are unsure if the platform truly understands the needs of the LGBTQ community particularly in areas of the world where LGBTQ people face tremendous amounts of violence,” said Grindr executive vice chairman Wei Zhou.

Grindr offered to be “a resource for Facebook as they enter a space we’ve existed in for almost a decade,” Zhou continued.

Tinder’s parent company Match Group suffered an unprecedented 22% drop in their share price after the announcement and although the news came as a shock to CEO Mandy Ginsberg, she is optimistic about their new competition.

She said that Match is “surprised at the timing given the amount of personal and sensitive data that comes with this territory.”

Ginsberg added that the company was “flattered” that Facebook is coming into our space” and “Facebook’s entry will only be invigorating to all of us.”

Gay dating app Grindr has yet to comment on the news.