A trend is a term used to describe topics that are popular on social media at any given moment. They are typically highlighted by the social media platform in an effort to encourage discussion and engagement among its users. Trends can include hashtags as well as specific keywords or phrases. While some trends are based on fashion, pop culture and entertainment, they can also reflect more serious issues such as politics and the economy.
Almost all major social media platforms feature a way for their users to explore the topics that are currently trending in their country. These trending topics are often found via a link on the platform’s home page or menus. Most of these trends are curated by algorithms that determine the topics that appear most relevant to users at any given time. Depending on the algorithm, these trends can be customized to search for terms that are most relevant to the user’s location and interests.
Some of these trending tools are available as a free service while others are available for a fee. These paid solutions are designed to provide a more robust user experience and access to data that is not available from the free Google Trends.
One of the most popular tools for identifying trending topics is Product Hunt (PH). PH provides a great way to discover new products and services that are becoming popular in your industry. The tool allows anyone to submit new products which are then upvoted or downvoted by the PH community and then reviewed for quality. This process helps to ensure that the best new products rise to the top of the list.
Another popular trending topic tool is Buzzsumo, which provides best-in-class analytics for the top performing content on various social media channels. The tool has expanded its offerings to cover video and Q&A websites as well. Its free offering is a good start but there are also more comprehensive solutions such as Treendly that offer more in-depth analysis and additional features such as alerts.
Identifying trending topics is important for marketers because it can help them create more effective and engaging content. However, it is important to ensure that the content they create reflects their brand voice and principles and doesn’t come across as inauthentic or contrived. It’s also important to understand the audience that a particular trend is targeting. If the topic is geared toward teenagers, for example, it may not be appropriate for a financial company.
It’s also important to understand that not all trends are created equal. While a certain topic may be popular at any given moment, it could quickly fade into obscurity. This is why it’s so important to research the right timing of when to launch a trending campaign. By choosing a timely topic, you can increase the chances of it remaining relevant for a longer period of time. This is particularly important for highly seasonal campaigns. For example, a campaign that promotes an upcoming sale can be more effective if it is launched before the holiday shopping season begins.