# Crowdsourced Catalog Independent platforms harness consumer input for a more targeted experience. By [Joey Haar](https://www.trendhunter.com/joeyisa), Research Writer | Published Nov 29, 2017 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/crowdsourced-catalog ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.4/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Crowdsourced Catalog trend? **Crowdsourced Catalog:** Rather than going directly to companies' own catalogs, consumers are looking to fellow consumers for recommendations on products. This has led to platforms that use the power of digital connectivity to expand that experience online, providing consumers with crowdsourced databases of product options. If brands can harness input from their consumers in building their own catalogs and ecommerce platforms, they stand a better chance of drawing in new consumers. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 13 to Nov 29, 2017 - Published: Nov 29, 2017 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Crowdsourced Catalog trend ### Crowdsourced Product Recommendations Consumers are turning toward independent platforms that allow for crowdsourced product recommendations, leading to opportunities for brands to incorporate this input in building their own catalogs and ecommerce platforms. ### Curated Online Shopping Consumers are interested in discovering one-of-a-kind online shops with a highly curated selection of goods, leading to opportunities for independent designers and companies to showcase their unique products. ### Kid-Curated Products Retailers are taking a kid-curated approach to their product offerings, highlighting the importance of children's input in determining what toys are most popular and successful, leading to opportunities for brands to involve kids in the product selection process. ### Realistic Engagement Ring Inspiration Online platforms are now letting brides and newly engaged couples find inspiration and share real-life engagement rings, providing opportunities for jewelers and designers to showcase their unique pieces to potential customers. ## What the Crowdsourced Catalog trend means for industry ### For Ecommerce Independent platforms and curated online shopping experiences present disruptive innovation opportunities for traditional ecommerce companies. ### For Toy Industry Kid-curated product ranges highlight the importance of children's input and involvement in the toy industry, providing opportunities for brands to involve kids in the product selection process. ### For Jewelry Industry Realistic engagement ring inspiration platforms present disruptive innovation opportunities for jewelers and designers to showcase their unique pieces to potential customers. ## Workshop question How could your brand structure its catalog of offerings around consumer input? ## Trend signals for Crowdsourced Catalog Trend score 5.4 out of 10, from popularity 78%, activity 77%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 78% - Activity: 77% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Crowdsourced Catalog trend 4 featured examples from Jul 13 to Nov 29, 2017. - [Kid-Curated Toy Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christmas-toy-range): Asda's Christmas Toy Range Features 100 Playthings Chosen by Kids (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Retailers can leverage crowdsourcing to gain valuable insights and preferences of their target demographic to drive sales. - [Cat Paraphernalia Webshops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/katt): 'Katt' is an Online Shop "for People Happily Owned by Cats" (Category: Business) Implication: Opportunity for e-commerce platforms to create niche online shops focused on cat paraphernalia. - [Realistic Engagement Ring Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/engagement-ring-inspiration): Sparkly Lets Brides-To-Be Look for Engagement Ring Inspiration (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop an online marketplace exclusively for engagement rings, offering a wide range of options and personalized shopping experiences. - [Curated eCommerce Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/best-stuff-on-amazon): The 'Nugget' App Helps You Find the Best Stuff on Amazon (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Capitalizing on the growing e-commerce industry by offering specialized curation services to enhance consumer shopping experiences. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Occasion Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-commerce) (Business) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)