In the fast-moving world of digital marketing, keeping up with trending content is key to grabbing your audience’s attention and boosting engagement. But how can you find the trending topics that will connect with your audience and keep your content up-to-date? Here’s a simple guide to help content creators, marketers, and business owners discover trending topics online.
1. Leverage Social Media Platforms
Social media is a goldmine for discovering what’s trending. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and Lemon8 are where conversations happen in real-time.
- Lemon8: Check the Explore page for “Editor’s picks” section on Lemon8 to see what hashtags and topics are currently popular.
- Instagram Explore Page: The Explore page on Instagram curates trending content based on user preferences. This can give you insights into what visuals and hashtags are gaining traction.
- Facebook Trends: Although less prominent than Twitter, Facebook still offers a “Trending News” section where you can see what’s being discussed widely.
- Tik Tok: Go to the search bar and enter “Creator Search Insights” to see both global trends and those related to content similar to your account.
2. Use Google Trends
Google Trends is a powerful tool for identifying popular search queries over time. It allows you to see what people are searching for globally or in specific regions, and compare interest levels for different terms. If you’re unsure about Google Trends and how to use it, subscribe to my email list for a FREE E-Book.
- Search by Keyword: Enter a keyword related to your niche to see its popularity over time. You can also find related queries that might be emerging trends.
- Explore Trending Searches: Check out the “Trending Searches” section to see what’s hot in real-time or daily across different countries.
- Compare Topics: Google Trends also lets you compare up to five search terms simultaneously, helping you gauge which topic might be more impactful.
3. Monitor Industry Blogs and News Sites
Keeping tabs on industry-specific blogs and news sites can help you stay informed about trending topics in your niche.
- RSS Feeds: Use an RSS feed aggregator like Feedly to subscribe to your favorite industry blogs and news sites. This will give you a steady stream of the latest articles, news, and opinions.
- Google Alerts: Set up Google Alerts for keywords related to your industry. This way, you’ll receive notifications whenever there’s new content on those topics.
- News Aggregators: Tools like Flipboard and Pocket can help you discover trending articles and stories across the web, tailored to your interests.
4. Explore Content Communities and Forums
Content communities and forums are where enthusiasts and experts discuss trends before they become mainstream.
- Reddit: With its diverse range of subreddits, Reddit is a treasure trove of trending discussions. Explore subreddits related to your industry, or check the “Popular” section for trending topics.
- Quora: On Quora, you can see what questions are being asked the most in your field. This not only gives you insight into trending topics but also helps you understand your audience’s pain points.
- Medium: Medium’s homepage features trending articles across various categories. Explore what’s being shared and discussed to find content ideas.
5. Utilize SEO Tools
SEO tools are invaluable for discovering trending topics based on search behavior.
- Ahrefs Content Explorer: This tool allows you to search for popular content based on keywords and topics, showing you the most shared and linked-to content in your niche.
- BuzzSumo: BuzzSumo helps you discover the most popular content on any topic, along with data on social shares and engagement. It also highlights trending content based on specific time frames.
- SEMrush Topic Research: SEMrush’s Topic Research tool can help you find trending topics by analyzing search data and suggesting content ideas that are likely to perform well.
6. Follow Influencers and Thought Leaders
Influencers and thought leaders are often at the forefront of emerging trends. Following them can provide you with inspiration and insights into what’s gaining traction.
- Social Media: Follow key influencers in your industry on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Pay attention to the topics they’re discussing and the content they’re sharing.
- Podcasts and Webinars: Influencers often share their insights in podcasts and webinars. Listening to these can help you spot trends before they become widespread.
7. Engage with Your Audience
Your audience can be one of the best sources for discovering trending topics.
- Polls and Surveys: Conduct polls or surveys on social media or via email to ask your audience what topics they’re interested in.
- Comments and Feedback: Pay attention to the comments on your posts and the feedback you receive. These can provide clues about what your audience wants to learn more about.
- Direct Engagement: Engage directly with your audience through social media interactions or community forums. Their questions and concerns can lead to discovering trending topics.
7. Attend Networking Events
Lastly, networking events are great for getting firsthand insights into industry trends and emerging topics. If you’re looking for one to attend, I recommend this networking group that I frequently go to.
