Trending is an online feature that displays topics, hashtags and subjects that are currently popular on Twitter. It’s a great way for people to find out what others are discussing and staying up-to-date on the latest news. The trending topics are based on searches, posts and shares that happen on Twitter in real time. It’s also common for social media, news and entertainment sites to include a “trending” section or list of subjects that are currently popular on their platform.

In recent years, the term has been used to describe a fad or craze that can be as temporary as a new fashion style or as lasting as a celebrity diet or workout regime. It can also refer to a specific event or issue that is receiving more attention than usual, such as a political scandal or celebrity death.

While some trends may be based on current events, many are created by social influencers or marketers who want to gain more visibility for their products or causes. By creating or using a hashtag that is relevant to their target audience, they can generate interest in the topic and get it trending on Twitter. Trending can be a powerful tool for promoting a business or cause, and it can have positive effects when used appropriately.

Understanding trending is a key element to creating successful marketing campaigns. When a hashtag or topic is trending, it’s important to understand what is driving that interest. This can help you identify potential opportunities to engage with your audience, such as by retweeting or posting content about a topic that is currently generating buzz. It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that the popularity of a trend can change quickly, so it’s best to use it as a jumping off point for further research and planning.

The concept of trending first came about thanks to the invention of #hashtags, which allow users to group conversations by subject and create a way for others to follow along easily. It’s now a common feature on most social media platforms and websites, including YouTube.

YouTube’s algorithm decides what videos appear in the trending list based on search data and how often each video is being shared and reposted. It can take up to two hours for a video to reach the trending lists in each region. There is no single formula for what makes a video trend, but some factors include how many views a video has and how frequently it’s being discussed in a particular region.

It’s not uncommon for social media to be abused by malicious actors, who use trends as an opportunity to spread hateful messages or to attack members of marginalized groups. It’s become increasingly clear that platforms must be prepared to act in real-time to remove trending lists that promote abuse, misinformation and other objectionable content.