Twitter, and other social media sites, use an algorithm to determine which topics are most discussed by users at any given time. These topics are known as trends. Trends can cover a range of subjects, from international news headlines to celebrity gossip. Trends can also be based on more personal topics, such as a popular television show or sports team.

Getting your brand or product on the trending list can be hugely beneficial to your business. It is a great way to get your message in front of a large and often new audience. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when trying to get your business on the trending list.

If you are attempting to trend for your business, make sure that your post is relevant to the topic. Twitter discourages the posting of unrelated content to trending topics and, in extreme cases, can lead to account suspension. Posting irrelevant content can damage your business’s credibility and confuse viewers.

Also, be mindful of the length of time that your hashtag or subject needs to grow in order to be considered a trending topic. Twitter favours rapid spikes over slow, sustained growth and this is why some movements such as #OccupyWallStreet never made it to the trending board, despite having an astounding amount of tweets.

In addition, many social media platforms, such as Twitter and Google+, offer a feature which allows users to see trends for a particular location or region. This can impact the popularity of a trend, as it may only be of interest to people living in a certain area.

Finally, when attempting to get your subject or hashtag to trend, try to be as unique as possible. Using a unique hashtag will help to differentiate your content from other posts with the same hashtag and it will be much quicker to rise up the trends list. Additionally, using a unique hashtag is important because trends that are repeated over and over will lose momentum and eventually drop off the list.

Despite the potential pitfalls of trending, it is still an incredibly useful tool for businesses and brands to have in their arsenal. The right strategy, coupled with the right topic can result in your business being seen by a wide and varied audience. Whether you are talking about a new product, an exciting event or even just shameless self-promotion, there is a lot to be gained from being a trending topic. Just remember that it can be fleeting and don’t be afraid to experiment! The next big trend could be yours.