# Friend Tracking 'Stalker' tools that fill you in on your friends' whereabouts & activities. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Jan 1, 2012, updated Mar 27, 2012 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/friend-tracking ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.8/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Friend Tracking trend? **Friend Tracking:** Social media and special mobile apps have changed the way consumers interact with friends. But status updates on Facebook and Twitter are one thing; tools that actually help you track your friends' whereabouts and activities -- and help you find them -- are another thing entirely. These "stalker"-esque innovations mean you'll never be wondering where your friends are ever again, whether you've lost them in a crowd or they've dodged all your phone calls. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 7 to Dec 31, 2011 - Published: Jan 1, 2012 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Friend Tracking trend ### Social Media-Based Location Sharing Consumers are looking to share their whereabouts in real-time and brands should focus on creating experiences that encourage social connection and sharing in a meaningful way. ### Real-Time Location Tracking Real-time location tracking technology can benefit large sites and multi-level structures, as well as shopping malls by helping managers track shopper traffic patterns and security risks. ### Group Event Coordination Technology can make organizing group events easier and more spontaneous, providing a new level of convenience for friends who want to meet up somewhere other than online. ## What the Friend Tracking trend means for industry ### For Social Media The advent of social media has led to consumers seeking new ways to connect with friends and share their experiences, making social media-based location sharing an interesting opportunity for this industry. ### For Retail Real-time location tracking technology can provide retailers with valuable data on shopper behavior and traffic patterns, allowing them to optimize store layouts and improve targeting of marketing efforts. ### For Mobile App Development Group event coordination technology presents an excellent opportunity for app developers to create innovative solutions that improve the convenience and spontaneity of planning social events with friends. ## Trend signals for Friend Tracking Trend score 2.8 out of 10, from popularity 49%, activity 26%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 49% - Activity: 26% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Friend Tracking trend 5 featured examples from Sep 7 to Dec 31, 2011. - [Friend-Stalking Facilitations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facebook-subscriptions): Facebook Subscriptions Let You Build a Cult of Personality (Category: Business) Implication: Social media platforms can capitalize on users' desire to follow public figures and celebrities in new and creative ways. - [Permanent Stalker Software](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/find-my-friends): Apple's New 'Find My Friends' is a Scary, Yet Practical GPS-Based App (Category: Tech) Implication: Find My Friends is an example of how mobile apps can enhance safety and convenience, providing opportunities for further innovation. - [Friend-Finding Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/navizon-indoor-triangulation-system): The Navizon Indoor Triangulation System Tracks Phones, Tablets & Laptops (Category: Tech) Implication: The Navizon Indoor Triangulation System can revolutionize how event organizers manage large gatherings, ensuring the smooth coordination of participants and enhancing the overall… - [Friend-Finding Beacons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/findr-communicator): The FindR Communicator Makes Organizing Impromptu Group Events Easier (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate location-based features and functionalities into social networking platforms to enhance spontaneous get-togethers and group hangouts a… - [Friend-Tracking Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/were-in-app-by-bing): ‘We're In' App by Bing Lets You Find and Connect with Your (Category: Tech) Implication: The 'We're In' App highlights opportunities for businesses to develop social networking platforms that cater to personalized and location-based features. ## Recent trend clusters - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) - [Portable Power](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/portable-power1) (Tech) - [Guided Autonomy](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/guided-autonomy) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Offline Notetaking Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/offline-notetaking-apps) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)