How to Find Trending Topics on Social Media

Want to know what makes some brands go viral while others get lost in the noise? The secret lies in finding and jumping on trending topics before everyone else does.

With social media users spending an average of 2 hours and 39 minutes daily on platforms, there’s a constant stream of conversations, trends, and viral moments. For social media managers, staying ahead of these trends isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for keeping your brand relevant and engaging.

This guide shows you 11 proven ways to find trending topics on social media. You’ll learn how to spot trends early, which tools work best, and how to turn trending content into real engagement for your brand.

What are trending topics?

A trending topic is a subject that gets sudden attention across social media. These topics see a big spike in mentions, shares, or discussions over a short time.

Think about the last viral meme you saw. It probably started small, then spread quickly across platforms. That’s how trending topics work—they catch fire fast.

Several things make a topic trend:

• Volume: Lots of people talk about it at once
• Speed: It spreads quickly across platforms
• Engagement: People actively share, comment on, and discuss it
• Timing: It happens at the right moment when audiences are ready

Why are trending topics important to a social media strategy?

Trending topics are like express lanes to your audience’s attention. When you create content around what people are already talking about, you increase your chances of being seen and shared.

Here’s why they matter so much.

First, trending topics boost your reach naturally. Social media algorithms favor content that gets quick engagement. When you post about trending topics, you’re more likely to get early likes, comments, and shares. This tells the algorithm your content is worth showing to more people.

Additionally, they help you connect with your audience. Trending topics show what your followers care about right now. When you join these conversations, you prove you’re listening and staying current.

Trending topics also help you stand out from competitors. Brands that jump on trends quickly often see the biggest rewards. While your competitors plan their next month’s content, you’re already engaging with today’s hot topics.

Finally, trending topics create authentic moments. The best trending content doesn’t feel forced. It shows your brand’s personality and how you fit into bigger cultural moments.

Plus, younger people love staying up to date with trending topics, making this strategy especially powerful for reaching Gen Z and Millennial audiences.

11 ways to find trending topics on social media

Ready to become a trend-spotting expert? These proven methods will help you find trending topics before they explode everywhere.

Take advantage of each platform’s explore features

Every major social platform has built-in trending sections. These are goldmines for spotting what’s hot right now.

Start with TikTok’s For You page, which shows you trending videos based on your interests. But don’t just scroll for fun—pay attention to recurring themes, sounds, and hashtags. The Discover page also highlights trending hashtags and challenges worth exploring.

Move to Instagram’s Explore page, which surfaces trending posts and hashtags. Look for patterns in the content types and topics that keep appearing. Instagram also shows trending hashtags when you start typing in captions, giving you real-time trend data.

Check YouTube Charts to see what videos are taking off by category. YouTube removed its general Trending page in July 2025, replacing it with music-focused charts like Weekly Top Songs, Music Videos, Artists, and Shorts Songs. This category-based approach helps you spot emerging music trends that might spread to other platforms.

Don’t overlook X/Twitter trending topics, which appear in the sidebar or explore section. These update in real-time, making X one of the fastest ways to spot breaking trends as they happen.

For professional content, LinkedIn trending topics or new—you’ll find these in the right sidebar of your home feed—focus more on industry and business trends. These are perfect for B2B brands or professional content strategies.

Each platform trends differently, so make checking them all part of your regular routine. What starts on TikTok might explode on Instagram a day later.

Monitor your social media analytics

Your best-performing posts hold clues about trending topics in your niche. These posts connected with your audience for a reason.

Start by looking at your top posts from the last month. What topics, formats, or styles got the most engagement? Were there any current events or trends you tapped into?

Next, notice posting time patterns. Did certain topics perform better on specific days or times? This helps you plan when to post trending content.

Fortunately, Vista Social makes this analysis simple with detailed post performance reports. You can quickly see which content resonates most with your audience and identify patterns in your successful posts.

Beyond post performance, pay attention to your hashtag data. Track which hashtags drove the most reach and engagement, as popular hashtags often signal trending topics in your industry.

Use this data to guide your trend hunting strategy. For example, if wellness content performs well for your brand, focus on finding health and fitness trends. This targeted approach saves time and increases your chances of success.

Analyze competitor posts

Your competitors are testing the same waters you are. Study what works for them to spot trends you might have missed.

First, watch for sudden engagement spikes. When a competitor post gets unusually high engagement, look at the topic, format, or trend they used.

Similarly, notice content pattern changes. If several competitors start posting similar content types, they’ve likely spotted a trend worth exploring.

Also, track their hashtag use. Competitors often test new hashtags when jumping on trends. These hashtags can lead you to the same trending topics.

However, the key is learning from their successes without copying them directly. Use their performance to spot trends, then create your own unique take on those topics that fits your brand voice. 

For example, if you notice competitors succeeding with short-form video trends, explore TikTok content ideas that align with your brand.

Analyze popular hashtags

Hashtags are trend indicators hiding in plain sight. They show you exactly what people are talking about and searching for.

First, use Instagram’s autofill feature when brainstorming hashtags. Start typing hashtags related to your industry, and Instagram suggests popular completions, showing you trending variations you might not have considered.

While you’re creating content, check hashtag post counts as you type captions. Instagram shows how many posts use each hashtag, and growing numbers often signal trending topics.

Another strategy is to look for emerging hashtags with rapid growth. Very new hashtags that are gaining momentum can indicate trends that haven’t peaked yet. These are your best opportunities to get in early before the competition.

Finally, pay special attention to branded hashtags that suddenly gain traction. These often connect to larger cultural moments or viral campaigns that you can learn from.

Use trendspotting tools

Professional tools give you deeper trend insights than platform features alone:

• Google Trends shows search volume changes over time. Enter keywords related to your industry to see what’s gaining interest. The “trending searches” section highlights topics spiking right now.

• Exploding Topics identifies trends before they explode mainstream. It analyzes search data, social mentions, and other signals to spot emerging topics early.

• BuzzSumo reveals the most shared content across social platforms. You can filter by time period to see what’s trending daily, weekly, or monthly in your industry.

Importantly, these tools often show trends 1-2 weeks before they hit peak popularity on social platforms. This advance warning gives you time to plan quality content instead of rushing to catch up once everyone else is already posting about the topic. Use this extra time to brainstorm social media content ideas that put your unique spin on emerging trends.

Join online communities in your industry

Industry communities discuss trends before they reach mainstream social media. Being part of these conversations gives you insider access to emerging topics.

Some areas to look for relevant online communities include:

• Our list of marketing Slack communities. Professionals are here to share the latest industry news and trends, and these communities often spot marketing trends weeks before they appear in general social feeds.
• Relevant subreddits for your industry. Reddit communities focus on specific interests and industries, and the upvote system naturally surfaces trending topics within each community.
• Quora spaces in your industry. Questions gaining lots of answers often indicate trending concerns or interests in your field.
• Facebook or LinkedIn groups related to your niche. Active groups generate discussions about emerging trends and challenges.

To make this strategy effective, set aside time each week to browse these communities actively. Look for topics generating lots of discussion or questions appearing repeatedly across different groups. These discussions often reveal content gaps you can fill with additional social media ideas.

Follow influencers in your industry

Industry influencers spot trends early because staying current is literally their job. Following the right voices gives you a preview of tomorrow’s trends.

Begin by identifying micro-influencers in your niche first. These creators often test new trends before larger influencers adopt them. They’re also more likely to engage with emerging topics authentically.

In addition to micro-influencers, follow marketing influencers who share trend insights regularly. Look for creators who consistently post about industry developments and emerging platforms.

While monitoring these accounts, watch for content format experiments across your followed accounts. When influencers start using new video styles, hashtags, or posting approaches, they’re often testing upcoming trends. Stay current with Instagram trends to understand what formats are gaining momentum.

To stay organized, create lists of key influencers to check weekly. Many influencers also share trends in their Stories, which disappear after 24 hours if you miss them, so consistent monitoring is important.

Keep up with industry news sites

Industry publications spot and analyze trends before they hit general social media. These sources provide context that helps you understand why trends matter:

• Social Media Today for platform updates and emerging marketing trends
• Marketing Land for deeper analysis of how trends affect marketing strategies
• Platform-specific blogs like Meta for Business and TikTok for Business
• Trend newsletters that offer weekly roundups

As a time-saving strategy, set up Google Alerts for keywords like “social media trends” and “viral marketing” to get trend articles delivered to your inbox.

Look out for industry trend reports

Major brands and research companies publish detailed trend reports that predict what’s coming next. These reports often identify trends months before they peak, giving you the longest lead time possible.

Initially, download annual reports from social platforms first. Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms release yearly trend predictions and user behavior insights that directly impact your content strategy.

Subsequently, read reports from marketing agencies next. Large agencies invest heavily in trend research and often share findings publicly to demonstrate expertise. These reports usually include actionable recommendations.

Meanwhile, check research from companies like Pew Research Center for broader social insights. Their social media studies reveal changing user behaviors that create new trend opportunities across demographics.

For the biggest picture view, follow trend forecasting companies. Organizations like WGSN and Trend Hunter specialize in predicting cultural and consumer trends across industries.

Most trend reports include specific examples and data that help you understand how to apply trends to your brand. Therefore, save the most relevant reports as reference documents for your content planning.

Set up social media listeners

Social listening tools monitor conversations about your brand, industry, or specific topics across all platforms. This constant monitoring helps you spot trends as they develop rather than after they’ve already peaked.

Specifically, Vista Social’s social listening feature tracks mentions, hashtags, and keywords important to your brand. You can set up alerts for trend-related terms to get notified when conversations spike around specific topics.

To begin, monitor industry keywords broadly at first. Set up tracking for general terms related to your business. Sudden increases in mentions often indicate emerging trends worth investigating further.

Simultaneously, watch competitor mentions for unexpected spikes. When competitors get unusual attention, investigate what trend or topic drove the buzz. This often reveals opportunities you can capitalize on too.

Around major events, track event-related terms around major industry happenings. Set up listening around conferences, product launches, or seasonal events in your industry. These often generate trending topics you can join naturally.

As an added benefit, social listening also shows you the sentiment around trends, helping you decide whether joining a conversation aligns with your brand values and audience expectations. Understanding what resonates with your audience can help you learn how to go viral on social media.

Do your own research on each platform

Sometimes the best trend spotting comes from good old-fashioned scrolling and observation. Spend time on each platform watching for patterns that tools might miss.

Rather than casual browsing, dedicate specific time for mindful scrolling. Actively look for recurring content types, formats, or topics across different creators. This focused approach helps you spot subtle trends that haven’t registered in analytics yet.

During these sessions, notice what makes you stop scrolling. These posts often use trending elements that capture attention effectively. Ask yourself what specific elements made you pause.

Throughout the week, pay attention to your comments and DMs. Followers often share trends they want to see you try or ask questions about trending topics they’ve noticed.

As you discover patterns, screenshot interesting examples. Keep a collection of trending post examples to analyze later and identify common elements. This visual reference helps you understand what makes trends work.

Over time, regular platform browsing also helps you understand how trends evolve and which variations work best on each platform. This knowledge improves your ability to adapt trends for your specific audience and can inform your social media strategy.

Incorporate trending topics into your social media strategy

Finding trends is only half the battle. The real value comes from incorporating them into your content strategy effectively without losing your brand identity.

Match trends to your brand voice carefully. Not every trend fits every brand, so choose trends that align with your values and messaging. A luxury brand might approach trending topics differently than a casual lifestyle brand, and that’s perfectly fine.

Add your unique perspective to make trends valuable. Don’t just copy what others are doing—find ways to connect trends to your specific audience or industry. This approach makes your content valuable instead of just trendy.

Act quickly but thoughtfully when you spot the right trend. Trends move fast, but rushing often leads to poor content that hurts more than it helps. Plan a quick approval process for trending content so you can move fast without sacrificing quality.

Use Vista Social’s content scheduling to plan trending content efficiently. You can quickly create and schedule posts when trends emerge, ensuring you don’t miss opportunities while maintaining your usual content quality standards.

Track your trending content performance to improve future decisions. Monitor which types of trending topics work best for your audience. This data helps you make better decisions about future trend participation and builds your trend selection skills over time.

Remember, the goal isn’t to chase every trend that appears. Focus on trends that genuinely connect with your audience and support your broader marketing goals. Quality participation beats quantity every time.

Ready to turn trending topics into engaging content? Vista Social’s publishing tools help you create, schedule, and track trending content across all your social platforms.

Trending topics FAQs

What is the best way to find trending topics?

The best approach combines multiple methods. Start with platform explore features for immediate trends, then use social listening tools and industry communities for deeper insights. Google Trends and influencer monitoring add extra trend spotting power.

How do you find trending topics for Instagram?

Check Instagram’s Explore page and trending hashtags in the search function. Use the autocomplete feature when typing hashtags to discover popular variations. Follow relevant hashtags and industry accounts that share trending audio on Instagram and other viral content.

How do you find out what is trending on social media?

Use each platform’s built-in trending sections, monitor industry news sites, and follow influencers in your space. Social listening tools provide cross-platform trend monitoring, while trend forecasting tools like Google Trends show broader cultural shifts.

How do you know if a topic is trending?

Look for sudden increases in mentions, hashtag usage, or engagement around specific topics. Trending topics typically show rapid growth over short periods and appear across multiple platforms or creators. Social listening tools can alert you when conversation volume spikes around specific keywords.