Move over, personality quizzes, there’s a new matchmaking trend in town, and it’s deliciously strange. Forget bonding over a love of tennis or both working in finance. Gen Zers are going deeper, and somehow lighter, than that. They’re embracing something called “freak matching.”
This isn’t about zodiac compatibility or your favorite Netflix show. It’s about connecting over the quirkiest, most unexpected shared traits. Whether it’s a cupboard overflowing with novelty mugs, a borderline unhealthy obsession with ’90s pop culture, or a mutual fear of garden gnomes, “freak matching” is all about finding your match in the weirdest possible way.
What is ‘freak matching’?
The idea is simple: Compatibility doesn’t always come from grand, sweeping similarities. Sometimes it’s the tiny, weird quirks that spark a connection. “Freak matching” celebrates those peculiar traits — the things you wouldn’t normally mention on a first date but secretly wish someone else shared. It turns dating into something playful, authentic and just a little ridiculous.
In an era where dating often feels formulaic, “freak matching” offers a refreshing alternative. It’s not about presenting the polished, curated version of yourself; it’s about finding someone who truly gets your weird.
On TikTok and other social media platforms, users are embracing this trend, posting videos about wanting someone to “match their freak” — someone who shares their unique brand of weird. That could mean unusual habits, strange hobbies or niche obsessions. The trend is usually accompanied by Tinashe’s “Nasty,” adding a cheeky soundtrack to the movement.
Ironically, some of the top videos feature surprisingly tame quirks, such as laughing at horror movies or watching sunsets on the beach. There are enough of those videos to start “The Horror Movie Laughers Club.” But then there are the genuinely bizarre ones: solving math problems in your dreams, making personalized shampoo bottles, or other delights too strange to explain.
Why is it particularly popular with Gen Z?
Dating coach Sabrina Zohar views the trend as a backlash against the algorithm-driven dating prevalent among Gen Z’s youth.
“Gen Z grew up in an era of algorithmic everything,” explains Zohar, host of “The Sabrina Zohar Show” podcast. “Dating apps reduced us to swipeable profiles with big-picture categories: college, job, hobbies. ‘Freak matching’ is the rebellion against that. It’s saying: ’Forget your resume — do you also think the Snuggie infomercial was iconic?’”
We’re constantly told there are plenty of fish in the sea. But how do you stand out when the sea feels endless? For Gen Zers — who have been told they’re not that different or special and are constantly scrolling through a barrage of personalities, talent and curated aesthetics on social media — “freak matching” offers a chance to claim individuality. It’s about being the weirdest fish in the pond.
“These micro-compatibilities make us feel seen in hyperspecific ways,” Zohar continues. “It’s not just ’we both like movies,’ it’s ’we both can recite the same obscure line from the same scene.’ That specificity creates instant intimacy and makes you feel less alone in your weirdness.”
At its core, dating is often about finding someone you can be your freakiest self around. We want to fast-forward to the moment when we can pee with the door open or start pillow fights without hesitation. Freak matching isn’t just about compatibility; it’s a shortcut to that kind of comfort, connection and intimacy.
“It’s not just ‘we both like movies,’ it’s ‘we both can recite the same obscure line from the same scene.’ That specificity creates instant intimacy and makes you feel less alone in your weirdness.”
- Sabrina Zohar, dating coach
According to psychotherapist and author Eloise Skinner, the rise of freak matching may come from a desire to feel less alone in your weirdness. “Freak matching could be a way to find solace or safety with someone who shares your quirks or preferences, especially if you’ve struggled to find that connection elsewhere,” says Skinner. “If you haven’t come across anyone in your wider circle who shares those traits, discovering that a partner does can create a real sense of solidarity and closeness.”
At Bumble, they call it being “On The Same (Fan) Page,” a nod to how Gen Z daters especially are bonding over the quirky and specific preferences that make them unique.
“We’ve seen that having niche interests — whether you’re part of a chess club, into fantasy fiction, or into gaming — can be a real point of attraction,” says Shan Boodram, relationships expert at Bumble. “It shows a potential partner’s confidence, dedication and open‑mindedness to pursue their passions, which naturally sparks conversation and connection. ‘Freak matching’ reflects a larger truth about intimacy: While attraction may get a relationship started, friendship is what keeps it going. Friendship offers emotional intimacy, shared humor, mutual respect and support. That helps explain why Bumble’s research shows millennial and Gen Z singles see geeking out together as a genuine form of intimacy.”
Examples include debating the best “romantasy” novel, engaging in a sports rivalry, or bonding over a mutual love of overpriced pastries. Asking those interesting, specific questions from the start not only fast‑tracks getting to know someone’s personality but also creates a foundation for conversations that can grow into deeper connections and, often, friendship first.
What can you ‘freak match’ about?
Basically, the freakiest, quirkiest things about you. Maybe it’s an oddly specific comfort food (cold beans on toast, anyone?) or a shared obsession with pigeon conspiracy theories (are they watching us?). Perhaps you firmly believe pineapple belongs on pizza and won’t let any Italian tell you otherwise. Or maybe you have an irrational fear of escalators — or crabs, like me.
Dating profiles have become a prime place for “freak matching,” a way to stand out from the crowd while simultaneously filtering potential suitors. Personally, I include on my dating profiles that I can perform the entirety of the musical “Hamilton” — just not very well. You’d be shocked at how many people are into that.
HuffPost spoke to real Gen Z daters about the freakiest things they’ve bonded over. (They asked to be identified by just their first name to protect their privacy.)
“On my Hinge profile, I mention that I can name any Steven Spielberg film just from hearing the first two minutes. A guy was also a big fan, so we met up to test our knowledge as a first date,” reveals 22-year-old Anna.
“When I met my now-boyfriend, one of the first things we bonded over was our hatred for runny scrambled eggs! We’re both big brunch people, especially together,” explains Laura, 25.
But “freak matching” doesn’t always lead to eternal love. Katie, 24, learned this the hard way: “We went for brunch and I had to reveal I only drink coffee with cold milk, so no lattes or cappuccinos and she does the same thing! I thought we might be soulmates just from that — we weren’t.”
Here are the freakier sides to ‘freak matching.’
A 2017 study from Northwestern University analyzed over 400 studies on romantic compatibility and found that trait-based matching — including shared interests and quirks — has almost no predictive power for relationship success.
Zohar cites this study as she urges daters to avoid placing too much emphasis on freak matches. What actually matters? “Communication patterns, how you handle conflict, emotional safety, whether you can repair after fights,” Zohar urges.
“Freak matching makes for great friendship kindling and fun early-date chemistry,” Zohar continues. “But we have to be honest about how much weight we’re putting on someone remembering the same ’SpongeBob’ quotes. You need someone who can have hard conversations at 2 a.m., not just someone who laughs at the same memes.”
They’re not your soulmate because they’re the only other person who thinks “Shrek 3” is the best installment, or because they only like white-sauce pizzas. That just means you’ll have a great movie night together.
So how do you avoid going all-in on a freak match? The key is not to let quirky compatibility overshadow everything else. Sure, it’s fun to bond over the fact that you both alphabetize your spice racks or quote “Shrek” unprompted, but real connection runs deeper than shared eccentricities. There are countless factors that make two people truly compatible and it’s worth paying attention to those beyond the novelty.
“A more grounded approach is to remember that people are complex and multidimensional,” says Skinner. “We’re much more than our quirks or habits. Taking the time to get to know someone on a holistic level is what builds a relationship that’s sustainable and supportive in the long term.”
At the end of the day, “freak matching” might not predict true love — but in a world of swipes and algorithms, it might just be the quirkiest rebellion in dating yet.