Trending Content: Definition, Topics, Best Practice and Benefits

By Benson Reed, Posted: November 6, 2024

When to Post Trending Content?

Trending content is critical for SEO writers and blog writers looking to engage audiences effectively. By focusing on “Top Trending Topics,” creators can capitalize on what’s “trending now” to maximize visibility and interaction. 

Best practices include utilizing real-time data from social media platforms, monitoring search engine trends, and crafting high-quality content that resonates with current events or popular culture. For instance, incorporating trending hashtags and keywords can significantly enhance content discoverability.

 Statistics show that posts aligned with trending topics receive up to 70% more engagement compared to static content. This surge in engagement not only boosts traffic but also improves brand awareness and authority. 

Affordable SEO writers can leverage these trends to create compelling narratives that capture the public’s attention and encourage shares and mentions across various platforms. 

By staying ahead of trends, brands position themselves as leaders in their niche, making it easier to connect with their target audience and build lasting relationships. Thus, understanding and implementing trending content strategies is essential for any business aiming for success in the digital landscape.

What Is Trending Content?

Trending content is information or topics that are talked about more frequently than usual, often capturing public interest on a massive scale. This type of content achieves more reach, generating high engagement rates, mentions, and shares across social media platforms and search engines. Content is usually driven by current events or culturally significant moments, making it ideal for brands and creators aiming to quickly capture and engage audiences.

What Are Trending Topics?

Trending topics are popular cultural occurrences and current events that capture widespread public attention. These topics might include celebrity announcements, TV premieres, social concerns, breaking news, and viral content. For example, a vent like a major sporting final can reach millions within hours. In 2023, it was reported that over 50% of Twitter’s engagement revolved around such timely topics, proving their power to captivate online audiences.

How Long Do Trends Last?

Trending topics have a shelf-life of one day to one week. However, some trending topics can stay longer, especially if they relate to ongoing events or significant social issues that continue to capture attention over time.

How to Find Trending Topics

To find trending topics, SEO writers and blog writing services often turn to tools like Google Trends, Twitter Trending, or social media platforms that highlight real-time popular topics. Observing hashtags, tracking popular news sites, and monitoring keyword trends help content creators identify what topics are “trending now.” Writers can further filter topics based on relevance to their audience to maximize engagement and drive organic traffic effectively.

Tools to Know Trending Topics

The following are 10 tools to help you know trending topics. Each tool is beneficial for affordable SEO writing, SEO writers, and professional SEO writers seeking timely insights into popular content:

  1. Google Trends – Free: Offers real-time insights on trending searches.
  2. Twitter Trends – Free: Shows popular Twitter topics.
  3. BuzzSumo – Starting at $99/month: Analyzes content performance on social media.
  4. Reddit – Free: Community-driven platform with up-to-date popular topics.
  5. Pinterest Trends – Free: Identifies current interests on Pinterest.
  6. Exploding Topics – Starting at $39/month: Predicts emerging trends.
  7. Trend Hunter – Free and Paid Options: Curated trends across industries.
  8. YouTube Trending – Free: Tracks popular videos on YouTube.
  9. Ahrefs Content Explorer – Starting at $99/month: Finds popular content across platforms.
  10. Feedly – Free and Paid options: Collect trending news from various sources.

What Is Trending Content and Seasonal Content?
The following are the differences between trending and seasonal content:

Criteria Trending Content Seasonal Content
Duration Short-lived, often days to weeks Cyclical, returns annually
Audience Interest High during a specific event or news Predictable peaks, e.g., holidays
Content Creation Requires quick creation to remain relevant Planned in advance
Example Topics Viral challenges, celebrity announcements Christmas sales, summer vacations
SEO Impact Immediate spikes in engagement and traffic Steady, recurring boost

What Are Trending Themes?

Trending themes are recurring subjects or ideas that capture widespread public interest across multiple topics. Themes like sustainability, mental health awareness, or AI innovation frequently appear as umbrella concepts, driving-related discussions and content engagement on various platforms.

Why Is Trending Content Important to SEO?

Trending content is important to SEO because it captures public interest at its peak, creating opportunities for greater reach and visibility. Trending topics represent popular or emerging points of discussion online. In SEO, trends are chances to connect with a wider audience when they are most engaged, boosting brand awareness and advocacy. A trend-led SEO approach helps content stand out from competitors by offering fresh, relevant perspectives. According to HubSpot, leveraging trending content can boost engagement rates by up to 70%, making it an essential strategy for brands 

When to Post Trending Content?

The best time to post trending content on social media is between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays. Ideal posting times for specific platforms include:

  1. Instagram: Best between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)
  2. Facebook: Peak times are 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
  3. X (formerly Twitter): Best engagement between 9 a.m. 11 a.m. on weekdays
  4. LinkedIn: High activity between 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. and noon (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

What Is an Example of a Trending Topic?

The following are examples of trending topics:

  1. New smartphone releases or tech launches.
  2. Major sports events, such as the Olympics.
  3. Viral social media challenges.
  4. Global environmental movements, like climate change protests.
  5. Celebrity news, including engagements or movie premieres.
  6. Breaking news on political developments.

Pros and Cons of Trending Content

The following are the pros and cons of trending content:

Pros Cons
Drives immediate engagement and visibility. Limited lifespan; relevance fades quickly.
Great for SEO writers to boost site traffic. Requires rapid creation, which may reduce quality.
Increases mentions, shares, and reach. High competition from many similar articles.
Offers opportunities to rank on EEAT metrics. Less depth compared to evergreen content.
SEO blogs and articles with trending topics can go viral. Often needs updating to stay relevant.

Trending content can increase site traffic by 50% or more within hours of posting.

Can Trending Content Be Edited to Evergreen Content? 

Yes, trending content can be edited into evergreen content with the right approach. SEO blog services, blog writers, SEO writers, content writers, and SEO content editors can repurpose popular articles by updating them with timeless information. For example, a trending article about a viral social media challenge could be reframed to explore “10 Ways Social Media Challenges Drive Engagement.” Converting trending content can maintain search value and provide long-term benefits. Research shows that updating content every 6–12 months can boost traffic by 30% or more.

Is Writing Trending Content Expensive? 

No, writing trending content will cost you $0.05 per word, making it accessible for most SEO budgets. Affordable SEO writing services and a professional SEO writer can create high-impact trending content that drives results without a high cost. While expenses can vary depending on the SEO writer’s expertise and turnaround time, trending content remains a budget-friendly way to drive engagement. For example, a 500-word article may only cost around $25, making it easy for small businesses to tap into this strategy and gain visibility.

Evergreen and Trending Content: Which Is the Best? 

Evergreen content is better for building long-term SEO benefits because it provides consistent, quality information that drives organic traffic. In contrast, trending content captures quick bursts of engagement but lacks longevity. Evergreen articles align with EEAT (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) standards, often outranking short-lived trends over time. Quality, factual content on timeless topics not only keeps users coming back but also maintains its SEO value for years, which is beneficial for building a steady, loyal audience.

How Long Should Trending Content Be? 

Trending topic content should be between 50 words to 2500 words, depending on content type. Blog posts, social media posts, and short articles may perform well with as few as 300–500 words, while long-form articles and landing pages benefit from 1000–2500 words to cover a trending topic in depth. Studies show that long-form content tends to drive 70% more engagement than short-form, making it beneficial for readers seeking comprehensive information on trending subjects

Which Niches Require Trending Content? 

News and celebrity niches require trending topic content to stay relevant, as these industries thrive on timeliness and immediacy. Other niches that benefit from trending content include the pet industry, which often showcases viral animal stories; legal, where breaking legal decisions impact public interest; and beauty, where new trends and products emerge constantly. 

Travel, clothing, and tourism niches attract audiences by highlighting seasonal trends and popular destinations, while video games use trending content to cover updates, releases, and events. Staying updated on trends within these niches helps brands capture audience interest and drive high engagement effectively. 

Seovines.com SEO writers are up-to-date with trending topics and can help you meet trending content needs. Place your article and blog requirements for any trending topic.