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FuturistU > Consumers > Consumer Behavior > Module 4 / 5

Consumers and Social Circles

Instructor: Shelby Walsh
Travel
Download the Travel Trend Report
Technology has had an overwhelming impact on social relationship trends. Algorithms, AI and our mobile devices have forever changed the way we connect with one another when it comes to our friendships, romantic partnerships, and our families. This module will decode what these shifts mean for marketers and innovators.

Brands today need to create impactful shared experiences for different groups, allowing consumers to foster more meaningful relationships with the brands they purchase from and amongst themselves as well. This module explores themes of tribalism identified in Trend Hunter's database such as "Family Branding" and "Hyper-Personalized Matchmaking" to keep brands on the cutting edge of consumer connection and messaging.
Related Trend Report: Travel
Workshop Questions:
1. How could your brand foster more meaningful relationships amongst your advocates?
2. How can you create more impactful shared experiences for your brand's tribe?
Jeremy Gutsche Keynote Speaker

Featured Insights

Hyper-Personalized Matchmaking
Algorithms and AI technology guide users to their best match
Implications - While the proliferation of platforms like Tinder has contributed to more convenient, fast-paced methods of finding love, consumers are craving more, and as a result, personalized methods are emerging. From AI algorithms to DNA testing techniques, these solutions give users the chance to customize their matchmaking process, ensuring the results are more tailored to their individual, inherent needs. Showcasing the type of effort and lengths consumers are going to find their match, these examples also reflect a growing desire for customization in every single facet of their life.
Workshop Question - How could you potentially hyper-personalize your product or service offerings to create a more memorable experience for your consumer?
3.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Swipe Expansion
Dating apps expand their reach into other aspects of consumers' lives
Implications - With the popularity of dating apps at a peak, these platforms are expanding their reach by offering services other than those strictly related to dating. Tapping into consumers' ever-increasing openness to meeting new people online for recreational purposes, big players in the space are rolling out features to help consumers make friends, network professionally, and more.
Workshop Question - How can your company tap into technology to make your consumers' lives easier?
4.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Focused Mood-Boosting
Apps that prioritize mental wellness offer more focused functions
Trend - Wellness and mindfulness apps that are designed to boost users' moods are becoming more focused rather than offering several functions and uses. Apps in this space include ones that recommend mood-boosting podcasts to quick daily journaling prompts.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize its customers' and/or employees' wellbeing?
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Metaverse Dating
Dating apps are establishing themselves within the VR metaverse
Trend - Dating apps are transforming their platforms to accommodate virtual reality users in the metaverse. Companies are letting users attach their metaverse avatars to their profiles for a new VR-based iteration of dating.
Workshop Question - How is your company adapting to the metaverse?
7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Authentic Dating
Dating apps offer voice and video features to better represent users
Trend - The convenience of dating apps has long come with the downside of not being able to sense chemistry until a meetup is arranged. Some dating apps are aiming to increase the chances of people connecting in-person by offering video and voice features that help users get to know one another better.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing authentic connections between or among its customers?
4.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Eco Banking
Finance apps allow users to make eco-friendly decisions
Trend - Banking and sales apps are allowing consumers to be more sustainable by offering features that have a positive impact on the environment. These include everything from clothing resale functions to making eco-conscious investments.
Workshop Question - How is your brand empowering sustainability?
4.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Retail Finance
Banking apps are including online retail features and functions
Trend - Banking apps are becoming increasingly functional, now with extended features that allow people to shop (or sell) within the apps. These features help customers consolidate some of their lifestyle habits, merging banking and shopping to create simpler online experiences.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing convenience for its customer base?
5.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Streamlined Date
Dating apps eliminate or streamline communication features for better connections
Trend - As dating apps gain more criticism for issues like facilitating shallow interactions between users, brands are aiming to streamline these apps even further by eliminating certain communication features in favor of ones that aim to foster a deeper connection.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing meaningful connections for its customers?
5.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Generation Dating
Dating apps aim to cater to older Gen Zs with branding and new features
Trend - The modern day dating app began as a tool for (mostly) Millennials to meet people, and they're now evolving to better suit the digital habits of Gen Zs who are 18+. Everything from humor-based functions to video-dating in the style of Tik Tok is now catering to this younger demographic.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better appeal to Gen Z lifestyles and preferences?
4.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Virtual Speed Dating
Speed dating is becoming popular on virtual dating platforms
Trend - Virtual speed dating is being organized by dating apps in response to the rise of virtual dates that have come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speed dating setups online make virtual meetups easier and take out the awkwardness associated with not knowing when to end an online date.
Workshop Question - How is your brand preparing for long-term changes in customer lifestyles?
3.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Dating Safety
Dating apps prioritize safety features that enhance trust among users
Trend - Dating apps are increasingly prioritizing safety features to protect users from potentially dangerous or uncomfortable situations. These include everything from in-app panic buttons to safety moderators.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritze customer safety?
3.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends