Trending is a section of social media apps and websites that display popular topics based on current events and search terms. These trends are compiled by algorithms that analyze and compare user searches and engagement across time and locations. As a result, the topics that trend often reflect a snapshot of popular culture at a specific point in time. Taking advantage of trending is a strategy that many influencers and brands use to boost their reach, engagement, and mentions.
Keeping up with trends can help you stay relevant to your audience, and it’s also a great way to increase your visibility and reach on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. When a hashtag or topic is trending, it’s more likely to be picked up by search engines and prioritized for ranking on social media algorithms, which means your content will receive a higher level of exposure.
The best way to keep up with trends is by visiting the “trending” sections of your preferred social media platform. Most social media apps have a dedicated section for trends, located on the homepage or within their Explore tab. You can also track trends via news websites and other online tools that monitor social media activity.
To get started, visit your preferred social media app or website’s trending section and search for the term you’d like to view. Alternatively, you can tap the menu icon on your mobile device and select “trending”.
Then, simply scroll through the list to see what topics are currently popular. The list will usually be curated by algorithm and include a mix of popular, viral, and upcoming trends.
Trends are based on popularity and are not necessarily representative of the entire population. For example, a trend may focus on a particular region or demographic, as was the case with the #RIPFreddieGray hashtag that sparked outrage among African-American users of Twitter in the wake of his death. This reflects the fact that a minority of people are more vocal in their reactions to public figures, influencing the trending topics that appear on Twitter.
Additionally, some trends can be subject to misspellings and other factors that affect the volume of traffic they receive. This is a particularly common occurrence during newsworthy events, when the right (or wrong) word can make or break the impact of a particular hashtag.
Aside from using trends to increase your visibility and engagement, you can also use them to inspire your own content. For example, if a certain song is trending, you might want to create a remix of it that highlights your own unique style. Or, you could use a trending music track to flex your editing skills or showcase a fun transition or camera angle. Join the 7M+ brands, creators, and marketers who plan & schedule their TikTok videos with Later. Try it for free today! Plan, manage & analyze posts for every channel in one spot. Create an account today!