Trending occurs when a specific topic, hashtag, or keyword becomes popular on a social media platform like Twitter or TikTok. When something is trending, it receives a lot more impressions, interactions, and mentions than usual. People can see what’s currently trending by visiting a platform’s “Trending” or Explore tab.

Trends are usually based on current events and topics that are catching the attention of people right now. They can be anything from the latest celebrity gossip to sports scores and political issues. Trends can also be a reflection of the general mood of a country or region. Some trends can be controversial, so it’s important to use discretion when participating in a trending discussion.

Participating in a trending discussion increases brand visibility and makes you relevant to your audience. It’s important to take the time to craft posts that are in line with your company’s principles and values. It’s also important to ensure that the post has a clear call to action and is consistent with your brand voice and tone. It’s best to avoid using a trending topic for promotional purposes as it can come across as inauthentic and contrived.

While it’s not impossible to make a post or hashtag trend, it takes a lot of work and effort. It’s a good idea to research trending topics before trying to create one. You should also make sure that the hashtag you want to use is unique and easy to remember.

Creating a trend requires a large amount of creativity and resourcefulness. A successful trend will be both original and timely, so it can capture the interest of your target audience. It’s also important to think of the potential negative impact your post may have on other users, especially if it is offensive or causes distress.

A number of factors can affect if a hashtag or topic will trend, including whether it’s a topic that is causing controversy, if it has been used before, and how quickly the topic is growing in popularity. Twitter’s algorithm favors sharp spikes in volume over gradual growth, data scientist Gilad Lotan explains.

Many companies rely on skilled SEO teams to identify trends and create content around them. Some platforms like YouTube have a “Trending” section that shows videos that are popular in a given location or country. YouTube recommends that users make trending videos that are relevant, shareable, and engaging. It also encourages users to participate in the community and contribute content that is meaningful and authentic.