Trending is when a topic, hashtag, or piece of content becomes more popular on a social media platform. You can see trends on platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram by visiting their Explore or Trending tabs. Generally, trends are selected by the platform’s algorithm based on how many people are talking about something at a given moment. Trending is also a way for users to discover new videos, content, or topics. Trending can be beneficial for brands, influencers, and individuals looking to grow their audience or visibility.

How does a video become trending? YouTube’s algorithm selects videos to be featured in the trending section based on a number of factors, including:

Wide Appeal

Videos with broad appeal tend to do well on the trending list. These include funny pet videos, amazing stunts, or vlogs from YouTubers with large followings. Videos that are newsworthy and timely can also be featured on the trending list, such as reactions to major award shows or breakdowns of current events.

Virality: Content that spreads quickly is more likely to generate engagement and become trending. This could be videos that have been shared widely by the general public or a specific audience, such as memes. Controversy: Topics that generate a lot of discussion or debate are more likely to be trending. This is because people are interested in sharing and discussing their views and opinions on controversial subjects.

Social media trends are based on a variety of factors, such as the popularity of related search terms or keywords, geographic distribution, and engagement. Generally, trends on social media are based on what’s being talked about the most at a given time.

The Trending tab on YouTube is updated frequently, which means that the rankings of videos can change with each update. Videos that have higher viewership are more likely to appear on the trending list, but a video’s overall view count and engagement are also taken into account. YouTube’s algorithm takes into account a number of factors, including where the views are coming from (diversified vs. concentrated) and engagement (likes, comments, shares).

Trending can be a great way to find inspiration for content and video ideas for your own channel. However, it’s important to keep in mind that trends often have an expiration date, so don’t create content simply to capitalize on a trend. Instead, use trends as a jumping-off point and adapt them to your unique style and niche to ensure that your content remains authentic and valuable. For example, if you’re inspired by a popular song that has a catchy hook, consider creating a parody or remix to make it your own. Then, you can share it on your channel to attract and engage your audience. You can also utilize the Trends Explore tool to identify popular search terms or topics that may be relevant to your business. This will help you find the right audience and improve your SEO.