Definition
The Trending tab showcases popular videos gaining rapid views. Country-specific and updated regularly. A mix of algorithmic selection and human curation.
Trending Categories
- Now: Currently popular across all content
- Music: Trending music videos and releases
- Gaming: Popular gaming content
- Movies: Film trailers and clips
How Videos Trend
YouTube considers:
- View velocity: How quickly views accumulate
- View source diversity: Views from various places, not just one source
- Geographic location: Trending is country-specific
- Novelty: How new the content is
- Creator history: Established channels may get priority
Trending Reality Check
- Dominated by major media, music labels, celebrities
- Small creators rarely appear
- Not a reliable growth strategy
- Better to focus on sustainable search and suggested traffic
Trending Topics (Different)
Don't confuse Trending tab with trending topics—subjects people are searching for. Trending topics CAN be valuable for content ideas without needing Trending tab placement.
- Use Google Trends to find rising topics
- Cover timely subjects in your niche
- React to news relevant to your audience