Niche dating sites are on the rise. Here's how you can date a ninja, a nudist or a ghost.

Online dating is hard, you have to work out if you’re attracted to someone from one to two sentences and a couple of photos.

Then you have to spend anywhere from five minutes to several hours with them before you decide on whether you want to see them again, or if you want to run home and hide under your doona. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a dating site that matched you with a person who understood and was attracted to your weird and individual idiosyncrasies?

A dating site that only had your “type”?

Well, no matter what your tastes, diet or fetishes, there’s probably a dating site to help you meet someone similar.

1. Gluten Free Singles

It doesn’t matter if you’re coeliac or if you’re just jumping on the wheat hating band wagon Gluten-Free Singles is the website that aims to eliminate any of those awkward “there’s nothing on this menu I can eat” first dates. Now you don’t have to feel alone, socially awkward or a burden because you are gluten-free.

Positives – Sharing meals together.
Negatives – Boring food.

2. Women who like bearded Men

A recent study suggested that 74 per cent of women dislike men with beards but if you fall into the other 26 per cent then Bristlr is for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re after a man that looks like Ned Kelly or you just want to save money on expensive Mach 3’s, Bristlr can instantly match you with a lumbersexual.

Positives – Not having to share your Gillette Venus Razor.
Negatives – Finding bits of last night’s lasagna in his beard the next day.

The Prude and Pornstar podcast discusses the perks of online dating. Post continues after audio.

3. Are Ghosts your thing?

Are you finding it hard to find a date who shares your love of chasing ghosts or are you looking to find someone to spend a cozy night at home with a nice glass of red and a Ouija board? Or maybe you just want to throw around some Nasa/Alien conspiracies with like-minded singles? Then Paranormal Mingle is for you.

Positives – Seeing dead people.
Negatives – Seeing dead people.

 4. Being Nude

I admit it, I like walking around my house naked. If I had a dollar for every time my neighbours saw me naked I would have enough money to buy some curtains. If you’re looking for someone who shares your passion in doing things nude then Naturist Passion is for you.

It claims to be “the most-trusted and largest site for nudist/naturist friends in the world! We have members from all over the world who enjoy living naked, skinny dipping, and meeting others with this lifestyle”.

Positives – Never having to worry about having something to wear.
Negatives – Your first date could be a bit awkward.

5. Looking for a clean slate?

It doesn’t matter if you’re a virgin by choice, religion or from lack of opportunity, if you’re looking for someone as pure as you then check out YouAndMeArePure. Created by husband and wife, Jose and Lety Colin, YouAndMeArePure states it’s a “tool for singles who value purity when searching for a relationship, but there’s a strict “virgins only” policy. “Any visitor to our website who is not a virgin but is intimately abstaining, should consider joining the other site”.

Positives – No STDS.
Negatives – They probably won’t be able to find your clitoris.

Want to stick to the normal dating apps? Why profile pictures are so important on Tinder. Post continues after video.

6. Got Herpes?

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but not many with herpes. HerpesFish eliminates those awkward conversations about your STD and lets you meet others with the same condition. Because as everybody knows you can’t catch it twice.

If you’re thinking of cheating on your current partner, of all the dating sites for your partner to catch you on, this might be the worst.

Positives – Someone who understands and can relate.
Negatives – You have Herpes.

 7. Sci-Fi Nerds

If you’ve secretly been lusting after Howard on The Big Bang Theory or you want to be the Penny to someone’s Leonard then Startrek dating is what you’ve been waiting for. You can live long and prosper and debate who was the best Kirk? Just make sure you set your phaser to stunning.

Positives – Playing Klingon Boggle with your new Klingon BF.
Negatives – Having to learn the Klingon alphabet.

8. DNA dating

If you’re looking for a deeper connection, you can’t get much deeper than a molecular connection. DNA dating sends you out a test kit, you send it back with a vial of your saliva and then they match you genetically with a biological match. No word on what they are looking for specifically but some people seem to have had their sense of humour removed at birth so this may eliminate the need to explain basic jokes to potential suitors.

Positives – At least your kids will be good looking. 
Negatives – Just because they matched biologically doesn’t mean they have a good Sense of humour.

 9. Looking for a bad boy?

Did you know there are thousands of Prisoners waiting to hear from a girl like you? According to their website, “Meet-an-Inmate" has been helping male and female inmates connect with the outside world since 1998 and is ranked #1 among prison pen pal websites. Meet-An-Inmate connects people like you with inmates and offers a free, easy way to brighten up an inmate’s day. The inmates listed are convicted felons and caution should be used.”

Positives – At least you know where they are 24/7.
Negatives - Possibly waiting 10 -12 years with good behaviour.

10. Date the Amish

If you’re looking for a simpler life where you can ditch your Computer/Phone/TV maybe Amish dating is for you. I don’t know much about the Amish but what I do know is that they are known for simple living, plain dress and reluctance to use modern technology. So how exactly do you expect them to set up a profile and check their matches?

Positives – You get a pony.
Negatives – No GHD.

11. Questionable hair

It’s business up front and a PARTY in the back! Mullet passions is specifically for singles with a mullet...and for those with the taste and style to appreciate these unique trendsetters. Browse the 'Mullet Groups' section to find members based on the style of their mullet, classic, mudflap or spiky or find members who enjoy recreational activities like wrestling, country music and monster trucks.

Positives – There are none.
Negatives – If they have a Mullet it’s probably why they are still single.

12. Dead end career?

Dead Meet is a dating and networking site to enable people in the death industry to meet like-minded individuals. Whether you have a background in organising funerals Pathology, Taxidermy or Crematorium feel free to join Dead Meet.

Positive – Their customers never complain.
Negative – When they bring work home.

13. Ninja Love

Always wanted to date a Ninja? No, me either. Ninja passions is a Dating and Social site for Ninjas, Kunoichi (Female Ninjas) & Wannabes. Despite their almost superhuman abilities including stealth, agility and coordination, it seems like the one thing Ninjas can’t find is Cupid's arrow.

Positive - Heard a noise downstairs? Don't worry...it's already been taken care of.
Negative – They only wear black and you can never find them.