Written by Rajib Das
YouTube, the world’s largest video platform, is a goldmine for content creators. But with millions of videos uploaded daily, standing out from the crowd requires more than just creating good content. It requires strategic thinking, a keen eye for trending topics, and the right tools to help you capitalize on them. One of the smartest moves a YouTuber can make is to actively leverage YouTube’s Trending and Explore tabs, coupled with tools like TubeBuddy, to identify and create videos around viral topics early on. This article will explore how you can do just that and boost your channel’s visibility.
Understanding YouTube’s Trending and Explore Tabs
Before diving into the strategies, let’s understand what the Trending and Explore tabs are and what makes them so valuable.
The Trending Tab: A Pulse on What’s Hot
The Trending tab showcases videos that are gaining popularity in real-time. These are videos that are attracting a significant number of views, likes, comments, and shares within a short period. The algorithm considers factors like watch time, the source of traffic (internal vs. external), and the video’s age when deciding what goes on the Trending page. This tab is localized, meaning the videos you see are relevant to your region. Keeping an eye on the Trending tab is essential because it provides a snapshot of what people are talking about *right now*.
The Explore Tab: Diving Deeper into Interests
The Explore tab is more personalized. It features videos and channels tailored to your viewing history and interests. It also highlights different categories like Gaming, Music, Movies, Sports, and News. Unlike the Trending tab, which focuses on real-time popularity, the Explore tab aims to connect you with content you’re likely to enjoy based on your past behavior. While not as immediate as the Trending tab, the Explore tab offers valuable insights into broader, more sustained areas of interest.
Leveraging the Trending Tab for Viral Success
The Trending tab is a fantastic source of inspiration for video ideas. Here’s how to effectively use it:
Spot the Opportunity: Identifying Relevant Trends
Not every trending topic is suitable for your channel. The key is to find trends that align with your niche and audience. If you run a gaming channel, trending game reviews or esports tournaments are obvious candidates. If you have a cooking channel, trending food challenges or recipe tutorials related to seasonal events might be a good fit. Don’t force it; authenticity is crucial.
Act Fast: Timing is Everything
Trends come and go quickly. The sooner you create a video related to a trending topic, the better your chances of catching the wave. This means being prepared to research, film, and edit quickly. Having a backlog of video ideas and a streamlined production process can be a huge advantage.
Add Your Unique Spin: Don’t Just Copy
Creating a video that’s identical to others on the Trending page won’t get you far. You need to add your own unique spin, perspective, or style. Can you offer a different angle on the topic? Can you make it funnier, more informative, or more engaging? Find a way to stand out from the crowd.
Optimize for Search: Keywords are King
Even if your video is based on a trending topic, you still need to optimize it for search. Use relevant keywords in your title, description, and tags. Research popular keywords related to the trend and incorporate them naturally into your video’s metadata. This will help your video appear in search results and increase its visibility.
Harnessing the Explore Tab for Long-Term Growth
While the Trending tab offers immediate opportunities, the Explore tab can help you build a more sustainable audience over time.
Understand Your Audience’s Interests: What Are They Watching?
Pay attention to the categories and channels featured in your own Explore tab. This gives you a sense of what YouTube thinks you, and therefore potentially your audience, are interested in. What kind of videos are they watching? What topics are they engaging with? Use this information to brainstorm new video ideas that resonate with your target audience.
Create Evergreen Content: Build a Library of Valuable Videos
Unlike trends, evergreen content remains relevant over time. These are videos that provide lasting value to viewers, such as tutorials, how-to guides, and informational videos. By creating a library of evergreen content, you can attract new viewers and keep them coming back for more.
Engage with Your Community: Foster a Loyal Following
The Explore tab is also a great place to discover new channels and communities. Engage with other creators and viewers who share your interests. Leave thoughtful comments, participate in discussions, and build relationships. This can help you expand your reach and attract new subscribers.
TubeBuddy: Your Secret Weapon for Viral Topic Hunting
Finding and analyzing trending topics can be time-consuming. That’s where tools like TubeBuddy come in handy. TubeBuddy is a browser extension that provides a wealth of data and insights to help you optimize your YouTube channel.
Keyword Research: Find the Right Terms
TubeBuddy’s keyword research tools can help you identify popular keywords related to trending topics. You can see search volume, competition, and related keywords. This information can help you craft titles, descriptions, and tags that are optimized for search.
Trend Alert: Stay Ahead of the Curve
TubeBuddy’s Trend Alert feature notifies you of trending topics in your niche. This can help you stay ahead of the curve and create videos before the competition.
Competitor Analysis: See What’s Working
TubeBuddy allows you to analyze your competitors’ channels and videos. You can see what keywords they’re using, what topics they’re covering, and how their videos are performing. This information can help you identify opportunities to improve your own content.
Video SEO: Optimize for Success
TubeBuddy provides a suite of tools to help you optimize your videos for search. You can use it to create compelling titles and descriptions, generate relevant tags, and track your video’s performance over time.
Conclusion: Embrace Trends, Build Your Brand
In the dynamic world of YouTube, staying relevant requires a proactive approach. By strategically utilizing YouTube’s Trending and Explore tabs, combined with powerful tools like TubeBuddy, you can identify viral topics early, create engaging content, and optimize your videos for maximum visibility. Remember, it’s not just about chasing trends; it’s about using them as a springboard to build your brand, connect with your audience, and create a thriving YouTube channel. Don’t just follow the crowd; lead the way by anticipating what your audience wants to see and delivering it with your unique style and expertise.
