# Odd Romance Bizarre innovations helping consumers find their love matches. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Dec 31, 2012, updated Jan 2, 2013 | Category: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/pop-culture-and-internet-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/odd-romance ## Key Figures - Trend score: 1.9/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Odd Romance trend? **Odd Romance:** With over 40 million people in the United States who have tried online dating, matchmaking in all of its forms poses a major market opportunity. This has given rise to a number of odd innovations that purportedly help singles find their matches. While some are undeniably bizarre, they ultimately address the needs of single individuals who will try anything and everything to meet a potential mate. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 5 to Aug 15, 2012 - Published: Dec 31, 2012 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Odd Romance trend ### Geolocation-Based Apps Developing an app based on geolocation like Girls Around Me can provide opportunities to connect people but also push the boundaries of personal privacy. ### Social Network Data Collection Incorporating social media and other online activities like Thecomplete.me can reduce the time and effort in creating dating site information, while also providing a more in-depth pairing to find compatible matches. ### Parental Matchmaking My Lovely Parent provides a new spin on traditional online dating, allowing adult children to support their parents and help them find new love after either a divorce or the death of a partner. ## What the Odd Romance trend means for industry ### For Technology Companies can create and develop new technologies like geolocation-based apps that connect people in unique ways and expand their online dating networks. ### For Data Analytics Using social network data and other online activities to create comprehensive profiles for users can be useful to find compatible matches for online dating sites like Thecomplete.me ### For Senior Care My Lovely Parent creates opportunities for adult children to support and connect with their parents and find them new love partners after losing their spouses. ## Trend signals for Odd Romance Trend score 1.9 out of 10, from popularity 35%, activity 13%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 35% - Activity: 13% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Odd Romance trend 5 featured examples from Apr 5 to Aug 15, 2012. - [Social Media-Synced Dating Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/complete-me-private-facebook-app2): Find Love With Thecomplete.me Private Facebook App (Category: Business) Implication: The dating industry can leverage the trend of social-media based dating to create more efficient and effective matchmaking algorithms. - [Scary Pick-Up Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/girls-around-me): Girls Around Me Connects Users to a List of Females in Their Vicinity (Category: Tech) Implication: Geolocation-based dating apps can disrupt the online dating industry and offer a more personalized and location-based experience. - [Anonymous Video Calling Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whoshere-app): WhosHere App Enables Meetups Online for Dating or Chat (Category: Tech) Implication: Innovative mobile app development companies can leverage the popularity of anonymous video calling and location-based services to create new apps that foster connections. - [Pretty Women Vacation Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/misstravel): MissTravel.com Pairs Wealthy Travelers with Hot Girls (Category: World) Implication: MissTravel.com's luxury dating service model is an innovative and lucrative addition to the online dating industry. - [Parent Matchmaking Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-lovely-parent): My Lovely Parent Lets Children Find New Love for Their Moms & Dads (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate advanced data analytics and machine learning algorithms to enhance the matchmaking process and increase success rates. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Pop Culture - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Makeup Artist Jewelry Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pandora-x-pat-mcgrath) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture)