A trend is when a topic, hashtag, or keyword becomes more popular and generates more engagement on a social media platform like Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram. This is often because the topic is relevant to current events, pop culture, or the news. Virality, which is the ability for a piece of content to spread quickly, can also contribute to its trendiness. Trends can be seen on the platforms’ ‘Trending’ pages or in their Explore sections and are sometimes personalized based on a user’s location and interests.
Google Trends is a tool that allows users to see what topics people are following, almost in real time. The website is used by journalists, as well as businesses looking to generate interest in a new product or service. Trends are determined by measuring a percentage of searches on specific keywords or topics over time and in different regions. The results are displayed on a graph with the most recent data at the top. Users can also select a specific region and a particular date range to view the trends.
Facebook and Twitter each feature a ‘Trending’ section that displays popular topics, hashtags, or keywords that are being discussed on their platforms. The algorithms that power these pages consider factors such as a sudden increase in searches, how long a topic has been trending, and engagement metrics including shares, likes, and views. The trending topics are displayed on the homepage or in the Discover tab for each platform and can be personalized to a user’s location and interests.
YouTube also features a ‘Trending’ page that displays videos that are receiving more visibility and engagement than others. The algorithms that power this page consider factors such as the number of views, comments, and share counts on a video, as well as other popularity metrics including the number of subscribers a channel has. The videos that are featured on this page can be a great way for a brand or individual to gain more visibility and awareness for their content.
The ‘Trending’ section on YouTube can be a great way for brands and individuals to gain more visibility for their content, especially when the trend is related to a popular event or campaign. However, it is important to remember that not all trends are created equal. Some may be manipulated by marketers or the media in order to generate attention for their content or products.
To avoid this, it is important for brands and individuals to understand the nuances of each trending algorithm before using them for their own purposes. By understanding how to best use each of these tools, they can generate more effective and engaging content for their audiences. Additionally, by utilizing the trends that are most relevant to their audience and industry, they can ensure that they are creating the most impactful and valuable content for their audiences. By doing so, they can maximize the potential for their content to go viral or become a ‘trending’ topic on their preferred platforms.