Trending on social media refers to the topic, hashtag, or piece of content that’s getting a lot of attention at a particular moment. Trends are determined by the algorithms of each platform, which consider a variety of factors including velocity (how quickly something is being shared) and engagement (likes, comments, retweets).
The term “trending” originally came from the stock market where it was used to describe rising or falling prices. In the 1930s, Charles Dow developed a series of principles to understand and analyze market behavior, eventually leading to what is now known as the Dow Theory. Essentially, he believed that prices moved in trends, with the rising tide creating larger ripples while the ebbing and flowing of the tide caused smaller ones. This concept is now a cornerstone of technical analysis, with traders and investors constantly analyzing the trends of the markets they’re interested in.
When a trending topic appears on the X, Instagram, or TikTok platforms, it indicates that lots of people are talking about that subject at that exact moment. Each platform has a separate way of showing trending topics, with some having dedicated pages for them while others show them in or near search results. Generally speaking, trending topics relate to breaking news, viral memes, or other popular culture subjects. YouTube’s “Trending” page, for example, shows videos related to your previous likes or searches, as well as the profiles of the people you follow, and the location where you’re located.
While it’s possible to abuse the Trending feature by adding unrelated keywords or hashtags to posts in an attempt to increase visibility, this can draw ire from social media platforms and lead to account suspension in extreme cases. For this reason, businesses should carefully consider the context of their posts and avoid adding trends unless they directly relate to their brand and message.
To increase your chances of having a post appear in the Trends section, create content that resonates with your audience and aligns with ongoing discussions. For example, posting about a celebrity scandal or event is more likely to generate engagement and become a trending topic than sharing a meme that has already been widely shared.
In addition to understanding your audience, it’s also important to stay updated on current events and pop culture, as this will increase the likelihood of your content becoming a trending topic. Also, leveraging influencers with large followings can help you gain traction and start to see some of your content appear in the Trends section.
While it may take some time to build up a post’s momentum, it’s worth the wait to reap the benefits of appearing in the Trends section of any platform. With the right approach, your business can leverage the Trends feature to gain exposure, engagement, and ultimately, sales. Good luck!