Trending is an online tool that lets users find out what other people are talking about and searching for. Trends are based on keywords or topics and are analyzed by social media sites, such as Twitter and Google. Trends are displayed on the sidebar of Twitter’s main page and in other places on the site, such as Search.
Essentially, trends are the most popular searches or conversations on social media at a particular moment. Trends are compiled by algorithms that analyze user data and determine which topics are most popular with the public. These data are then used to create lists of topics that are currently trending in specific regions and cities.
A business can use the trends feature to gauge what topics are gaining popularity, and thus which ones might be worth pursuing or investing in. By looking at the trends, a business can also get an idea of what types of content are attracting the most views and engagement on social media. Trending can be particularly useful for businesses that are marketing products or services related to popular events or topics.
While some trends may be fads that will eventually fizzle out, others might become long-term, such as the popularity of certain video games or TV shows. Some trends are based on current events, such as the NBA playoffs or the Oscars. Trends can also be influenced by the public’s interest in a particular topic or celebrity.
Keeping up with trends is an important part of any digital marketing strategy. A company that fails to participate in a relevant trend may miss out on valuable visibility and engagement from users, which can have a negative impact on its brand image.
Social media platforms often have their own algorithms for determining trends that appear on the sites’ main pages. These algorithms take into account a variety of factors, including a person’s location, previous likes and searches and who the person follows. This is a way to make sure that the most relevant content is being shown to a person on a given website or app, such as Instagram showing people pictures of their favorite restaurants or TikTok recommending popular videos.
For example, on Twitter, people who follow a specific drag queen will be more likely to see trending items about that drag queen, such as the queen’s upcoming backpack collaboration with JanSport. Similarly, a person who likes the brand Target will be more likely to see trending items related to that brand.
In general, companies should avoid posting irrelevant content to try to capitalize on a trending subject, since this could draw ire from the social media site and in extreme cases can even lead to an account suspension. Using a hashtag that is not related to the trending subject can also be seen as spam and hurt a business’s credibility. However, if a business can come up with ways to connect its product or service with a trending topic in a unique and engaging way, it is possible to see increased traffic and engagement from both existing customers and new followers.