So you want to tap into trends on YouTube to capture more views, grow your channel, and build up your business? Great!
But where do you start?
Trends can be an awesome thing to leverage as you expand the reach of your YouTube channel. But just like surfing the big waves in the ocean, trends can be hard to spot and even more difficult to catch at the right time. Just when you think you’re ready to jump on a trend with the perfect content or video, it’s over and becomes old news. So much for that…
But don’t worry! We’re going to show you the types of things that are trending on YouTube so you can be ready for when the next big wave hits. You’ll also be much more prepared to create content that capitalizes on ongoing trends—things that aren’t going away anytime soon. This way you won’t have to sit around waiting for the right trends to hit. There are things you can do now to take advantage of YouTube trends.
So let’s buckle up and dive in!
Trying to Go Viral?
Before looking at what YouTube searches are trending, let’s look at the term “viral videos.” We’ve all heard the phrase used for years now, but there’s still some confusion about it.
If you’ve ever found yourself lost in the vast abyss of viral videos—desperately trying to figure out why something went viral and how you can emulate the success of others—you’re not alone. Almost every company and content creator has dreams of hitting the famed viral status. Of seeing a video get so many views overnight that it changes their business forever. Or basking in their very own 15 minutes of fame.
But what does viral even mean? Is there some kind of magic threshold of views your video has to hit before it’s called viral? We’re going to break this topic down into plain English.
Here are two things you need to know about viral videos.
1. Viral is relative
First, whether a video goes viral or not is pretty relative. If a small content creator or local business sees one of their posts or videos get 50,000 views in one or two days, they would probably consider that “viral.” However, a larger content creator with a big audience would need much bigger numbers before they were considered to be “going viral.”
One example is the popular YouTuber Mr. Beast. His channel regularly gets many millions of views in just the first week of posting a new video. He has one of the most successful YouTube channels and has been working for many years to build his audience and cater to what they want. He has already reached “viral” status so many times that he really can’t go much higher.
So, depending on the size of your business, you should set your “viral video” goals at a realistic number—probably not in the billions of views.
2. Viral videos can be random
No one has ever pinned down an exact formula to make a video go viral. If they did, they would be automatic marketing millionaires and be inducted immediately into the marketing hall of fame.
The reality is that the public’s interest can be fickle and constantly changing. Some videos go viral for weird and random reasons that no one could have seen coming.
For instance, a recent example was the song “Rich Men North of Richmond” by folk singer Oliver Anthony. In August 2023, his song went viral after a number of different factors converged at once. Oliver Anthony was an unknown singer with a relatively small YouTube audience.
No one had ever heard of Oliver Anthony and suddenly his song was being played at one of the Republican national debates during live TV! (As of this writing, this song has 63 million views and counting.) It really struck a nerve with the American public but no one could have ever predicted it or forced it to happen. It was truly organic.
The moral of the story? You can’t force a video to go viral. There’s no secret sauce. You just have to be consistently putting out the best, most helpful or interesting content you can and see what happens. Those who stay consistent and learn what works are often the ones who go viral later—in large part due to their efforts leading up to a viral video.
Now that we’ve learned a little about viral videos, let’s look at what types of YouTube searches are trending.
What YouTube Searches Are Trending?
In the vast digital realm of video content, YouTube stands tall as the go-to platform for all things entertainment, education, and inspiration. With literally billions of users and trillions of views each month, it’s no surprise that YouTube searches are a goldmine of trending topics and viral videos.
Just like Google, YouTube has its own search engine, allowing users to explore an endless array of videos. From funny cat compilations to makeup tutorials to TED Talks, the search box on YouTube presents a gateway to a staggering variety of content.
So, what exactly are people searching for on YouTube? The answer lies in the popularity of videos and topics that dominate the website’s trending section.
This is where the hottest and most talked-about videos find their place. From music videos to movie trailers, from celebrity interviews to mind-blowing tricks, the trending videos give users a glimpse into the pulse of the online community.
Get to Know YouTube’s Trending Section
If you’re trying to understand what’s trending on YouTube so you can ride some of these waves, it’s a good idea to start spending some time in the trending section of YouTube. Browsing hot topics and video ideas on YouTube is crucial for content creators who aspire to grow their channels. You’ll start to notice patterns, too, and will soon be coming up with your own ideas of things you can do to capitalize on trends.
You should also dig into keywords and search queries to find out what people are interested in. There are a ton of keyword research tools out there that you can tap into, including Google Trends. These tools provide real-time data and insights, allowing you to tailor your content to match what people are searching for.
Also, realize that the popularity of YouTube searches isn’t limited to a specific period of time or region. In the United States, for instance, top searches can range from the latest music hits like Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” to the accomplishments of young tennis star Frances Tiafoe. In the United Kingdom, British celebrities like Emma Roberts, Jimmy Fallon, and Kim Kardashian often dominate the search rankings.
Don’t Forget to Check Other Platforms
Another great way to find out what might be trending on YouTube is to look at what’s trending on other social media platforms. The Internet is obviously a very interconnected place. Often what is trending on one platform is trending on all the other platforms, too.
By observing hashtags, challenges, and viral content on apps like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook you can identify videos that are currently circulating and generating a buzz. These platforms allow you to understand what content is resonating with audiences and find out whether adopting similar concepts could work for your channel.
You should also engage with the YouTube community to discover viral videos. By participating in discussions, reading comments, and collaborating with other content creators, you can stay connected to the pulse of the YouTube community. This can lead you to viral videos that are shared and talked about within the community, giving you an opportunity to tap into their viral potential.
Broad Trending Categories on YouTube
While this list isn’t a comprehensive or up-to-date snapshot of what’s trending on YouTube right now, it does give you a sense of the types of categories that are typically popular.
It’s a good idea to look at these categories and see where your channel might be able to create content that could reach “trending” status.
- Gaming—Videos related to gameplay, walkthroughs, reviews, and gaming culture.
- Entertainment—Celebrity news, pop culture commentary, and entertainment news.
- Music—Music videos, official artist channels, and music-related content.
- Vlogs—Personal video blogs, daily life updates, and lifestyle content.
- Cooking and Food‚Cooking tutorials, recipe demonstrations, and food challenges.
- DIY and How-To—Step-by-step tutorials for various do-it-yourself projects.
- Tech and Gadgets—Reviews, unboxings, and discussions about technology and gadgets.
- Travel—Travel vlogs, destination guides, and adventure videos.
- Health and Fitness—Workouts, healthy living tips, and wellness content.
- Fashion and Beauty—Makeup tutorials, fashion hauls, and beauty product reviews.
- Comedy—Sketches, stand-up comedy, and funny commentary.
- Science and Education—Educational content, science experiments, and informative videos.
- Animals and Pets—Videos featuring cute or funny animals and pet care advice.
- Motivation and Self-Improvement—Personal development, motivation speeches, and self-help content.
- ASMR—Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response videos known for their soothing and relaxing qualities.
- Sports—Highlights, analysis, and commentary on various sports and sporting events.
- News and Current Events—Coverage of current news stories, analysis, and commentary.
- Lifestyle and Home Decor—Home improvement, interior design, and lifestyle tips.
- Parenting and Family—Parenting advice, family vlogs, and child-related content.
- Memes and Trends—Videos related to internet memes and trending challenges.
Again, this is a long list, and it’s not meant to show you what’s trending right now. It’s just a good starting point for you to start wrapping your head around hot topics you could tap into.
Four Steps to Trending Success
It’s important to keep in mind that a solid content strategy doesn’t just involve going down YouTube rabbit holes searching for the next hot topics. It’s still going to take work. Nothing of any value is ever totally free, after all.
YouTube, like all social media platforms, is a fiercely competitive digital landscape. And trending searches can sometimes feel like a whirlwind romance—they come and go faster than you can say “clickbait!”
But if you do the following steps, you can unlock the vast potential of YouTube and attract a dedicated following.
- Do your research on YouTube’s Trending section
- Leverage the power of keyword research
- Stay up-to-date with the latest trends
- Provide relevant and engaging content
So, what are you waiting for? Jump into the search bar, unleash your creativity, and make your mark in the world of YouTube.
And if you’re looking to build up your YouTube channel and grow your business, schedule a free call to get a customized content strategy plan.
At Raffiti Media, we offer multiple different packages to help people just like you level up their YouTube game and grow their business.
