A trend reflects the collective interest of people at a certain point in time. It can be in fashion, pop culture or even politics. Trends are based on current news and discussions, viral content, social causes, holidays and other cultural events, or even online challenges and campaigns. Trends can be localized to a specific community or region or can have a global impact depending on the platform.
Ecommerce businesses use trends to find out what interests consumers and create content around that. It is also a way for them to stay relevant and gain visibility among their audience. Trends can also be used to increase engagement for a particular post or campaign.
Trending is when a hashtag, keyword or topic becomes popular on a given social media platform, such as Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. This popularity generates buzz and attracts attention from both new and existing followers. Trends can be viewed on the platforms’ respective “Trending” sections or in the ‘Explore’ tab. Trends are based on a variety of factors including geographical location, who users follow, the topics they interact with and how much people search for them. Trends are subject to change and can be influenced by typos and misspellings, which is why it’s important to monitor them closely.
Unlike the definition of a fad, which refers to an item that goes in and out of style, trends can last for years or even decades. In the case of Twitter, trends are displayed in a “Trending” section that is tailored to each user based on their own geographic location, who they follow and what searches they conduct. The results can be skewed by these variables, and the length of time that a topic remains trending is dependent on how popular it is in each area.
A trend can also be influenced by how much a topic is discussed, which can result in it going from trending to no longer being relevant. This is why it’s important to monitor a trend and understand how long it will remain popular before using it in a marketing campaign.
It is also important to note that not every topic will become a trend, as some may simply be less popular than others at a given moment. For example, if there is a controversy surrounding a celebrity or public figure, it might not receive enough discussion to become a trend. However, if there is an event or tragedy occurring, it’s likely to rise quickly as people react and discuss the situation.
As a general rule, trends that are more current and relevant will have more impact. Likewise, more controversial trends are more likely to gain momentum as they spark conversation and debate. In order to maximize the impact of a trend, it is crucial that businesses keep in mind the context and tone in which they plan to use it. For instance, if a trend relates to a tragedy, it should be approached with care so that the brand does not come across as insensitive or offensive.