10 Ways to Find Trending Topics for Your Next YouTube Video

In the fast-paced world of YouTube, finding trending topics isn’t just about being quick—it’s about being strategic.

The right topic can catapult your video into viral status, bringing a surge of new viewers and subscribers. But with so much noise online, how do you consistently uncover topics that click with your audience?

Here are 10 proven strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve and turn trends into growth opportunities for your channel.

1. Immerse Yourself in Social Media Trends

Social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and even Facebook act like trend incubators. These platforms are where new ideas, challenges, and conversations are born.

• Twitter's Trending Tab: a goldmine for breaking news, viral hashtags, and cultural conversations. Don’t just look at global trends—explore trends in your region or niche.
• TikTok's "For You" Page: TikTok trends often migrate to YouTube a few weeks later. If a dance, challenge, or sound is exploding on TikTok, consider adapting it to your content.
  
• Instagram Reels and Stories: what are creators in your niche doing? Follow popular hashtags and creators for inspiration.

Pro Tip: don’t just consume—participate. Engage with comments, add your take on viral topics, or ask your audience what they think about current trends. Being part of the conversation gives you insight that tools alone can’t provide.

2. Master Google Trends

Google Trends isn’t just for SEO nerds—it’s one of the most underappreciated tools for video creators. It helps you identify what people are searching for in real time.

Here’s how to use it effectively:

• Spot Rising Trends: look for “Breakout” search terms that are gaining traction fast.
• Seasonal Content: explore yearly patterns. If you’re a fitness creator, terms like “summer body workouts” spike around May.
• Related Queries: when you search for a topic, Google Trends suggests related searches. These are questions your audience is asking right now.

Example: if “AI Tools for Creators” is trending, you could make a video titled “5 AI Tools That Make YouTube Editing 10x Faster.”

3. Use YouTube’s Trending Page (But Dig Deeper)

YouTube’s “Trending” tab shows what’s popular now, but it’s not enough to just replicate what’s there. Here’s how to dig deeper:

• Look for Patterns: are certain video formats—like challenges, listicles, or reactions—performing well?
• Focus on Niche Trends: instead of relying on the general Trending page, explore trending videos in your specific niche. Use filters like "this week" or "most viewed" to zero in.
• Study Thumbnails and Titles: pay attention to visuals and wording. A trend often starts not just with content but with how it’s presented.

4. Analyze Competitor Channels

Let’s be real—there’s no shame in checking out the competition. The trick is to be inspired, not to copy. Identify creators in your niche who are doing well and study their top-performing videos:

• Which topics got the most views in the last 30 days?
• Are they tapping into cultural events, challenges, or industry news?
• What are their audience comments saying?

To make this process easier, tools like InsightGenie can analyze competitor channels in real time, helping you track their performance, spot emerging trends, and uncover gaps they haven’t yet explored.

Then, add your spin: your unique perspective or personality will keep it authentic.

5. Leverage AI Tools to Predict Trends

AI-powered tools have changed the game for creators, allowing you to analyze data at a level that manual research can’t match. Tools like Exploding Topics or 1of10 identify rising trends before they peak.

Here’s why they’re powerful:

• They scan search data, social media chatter, and engagement metrics to predict which topics are about to go viral.
• You can target topics early, giving you the first-mover advantage.

Example: If AI tools reveal a rising interest in “faceless YouTube channels,” you could create a video titled “How to Start a Successful Faceless YouTube Channel in 2024.”

6. Turn Audience Engagement into Insights

Your audience is a goldmine for ideas—they’ll often tell you what they want next if you’re listening closely.

Ways to engage your audience for ideas:

• Community Posts: poll your subscribers. Ask, “What video should I make next?” Give them 3-4 options to choose from.
• YouTube Comments: look for recurring questions, pain points, or suggestions. If multiple people ask the same thing, it’s worth a video.
• Analyze Video Performance: use tools like InsightGenie to analyze audience comments across your videos. It can identify recurring themes, questions, and even pain points your viewers care about most.
  

Example: if viewers keep commenting, “What tools do you use to create thumbnails?”—boom, that’s your next video idea.

7. Browse Reddit and Niche Forums

Reddit is where passionate communities live. Subreddits like r/videos, r/YouTube, or niche-specific communities can reveal what your audience cares about.

• Sort by Hot or Rising: this highlights threads gaining traction.
• Look for Unanswered Questions: if someone asks a question that gets lots of upvotes but few answers, you have a perfect opportunity to provide value.
• Pay Attention to Trends in Conversations: topics discussed repeatedly often indicate genuine audience interest.

Example: On a tech subreddit, you might notice people debating whether AI is hurting creativity. This could spark a video titled “Is AI Killing Creativity? A YouTuber’s Perspective.”

8. Plan Around Seasonal Trends and Events

Some trends are predictable because they happen every year. Holidays, big events

, and even cultural milestones are content opportunities waiting to be tapped:

• Fitness Videos: January (New Year’s Resolutions) or summer (beach body prep).
• Tech Content: around major product launches (like new iPhones or gaming consoles).
• Lifestyle Content: back-to-school season, Halloween, Black Friday.

Pro Tip: Plan these videos ahead of time. A “Christmas Gift Ideas” video is useless if you post it on December 25th.

9. Find Inspiration in YouTube Analytics

Sometimes, your next big idea is hiding in plain sight—inside your own data.

• Top Videos: check which videos have performed best in the last 6-12 months. Is there a theme, question, or format that stood out?
• Audience Retention: where did viewers rewatch or stop? Use this insight to refine future topics.
• Suggested Videos: look at videos YouTube suggests alongside yours. They can give you a sense of what’s trending in your audience’s world.

10. Combine Trending Topics for Unique Ideas

True creativity often comes from blending two seemingly unrelated ideas. Think about combining trending formats, topics, or keywords to stand out.

Examples:

• “30-Day AI Challenge: Using AI Tools to Boost My Productivity.” (Combines “AI tools” and “30-day challenges.”)
• “I Tried TikTok’s Viral Productivity Hack—Here’s What Happened.” (Combines TikTok trends and a review format.)

This layered approach creates videos that feel fresh and timely, while still being aligned with what your audience wants.

Final Thoughts: Turn Trends into Opportunities

Finding trending topics isn’t about chasing every viral moment. It’s about identifying trends that align with your audience and adding your unique voice to the conversation.

Stay curious, experiment often, and pay close attention to your audience. Whether you’re analyzing Google Trends, engaging on Reddit, or tapping into the power of tools like InsightGenie, the key is to strike a balance between timeliness and authenticity.

With these strategies, you’ll not only keep your channel relevant but also foster deeper connections with your viewers—one trending topic at a time.