YouTube Says Goodbye to Its Trending Page — Here’s What It Means for Users and Creators

No more Trending: YouTube shifts focus to Shorts, Charts, and smart discovery.

Since its launch, YouTube’s Trending page has been a go-to destination for anyone looking to catch up on the internet’s most buzz-worthy videos. From viral moments and music debuts to breaking news clips and meme-worthy content, Trending was YouTube’s daily highlight reel.

But now, that chapter is coming to a close.

Starting July 21, 2025, YouTube will officially remove its global Trending page and the “Trending Now” section from the mobile app. The company says the decision is part of a broader strategy to improve content discovery, both for viewers and creators, by aligning with how people are actually finding and consuming trending content in 2025.

Why Is YouTube Removing the Trending Page?

In the early 2010s, the YouTube Trending page served as a centralized hub to spotlight viral videos. But as social media and content consumption evolved, the way users discover trends has changed dramatically.

Today, people are more likely to:

• Discover popular videos via Shorts, home feed recommendations, or social media shares
  
• Explore niche content through category-specific pages or algorithmically personalized feeds
  
• Follow creators directly, instead of relying on platform-curated lists
  

Trending traffic, according to internal data, has significantly declined over the past five years, especially as younger users shift to Shorts and TikTok-like discovery experiences.

What Will Replace It?

YouTube Charts – A More Focused, Category-Driven Experience

Instead of showcasing one unified “Trending” list, YouTube is now emphasizing YouTube Charts, a destination that breaks down what’s popular by category and content type. These charts will be expanded and refined over time.

Initial focus areas include:

• Top Music Videos
  
• Rising Artists
  
• Top Podcasts
  
• Movie Trailers
  
• (Coming soon: Gaming, News, Sports)
  

This allows users to dig deeper into the type of content they actually care about, rather than browsing a mixed feed of viral videos.

AI + Personalization Take the Lead

YouTube’s home feed and Shorts section will continue to adapt based on users’ individual viewing habits, search behavior, and subscriptions.

• YouTube Shorts has become a hotbed for new trends, especially among Gen Z.
  
• The Explore tab still exists for topic-based browsing.
  
• The Gaming Explore section remains intact and will help highlight trending titles in that niche.
  

What About Creators? Here’s How They’re Affected

The removal of the Trending page doesn’t mean creators are left out in the cold. YouTube is introducing and enhancing tools that help content creators understand and tap into what’s trending.

 Key Tools for Creators:

1. Inspiration Tab in YouTube Studio
   
   • Offers trend-based video ideas tailored to the creator’s niche, audience, and recent performance.
     
   • Uses AI to surface “topic opportunities” based on current viewer interests.
     
2. YouTube Hype Feature
   
   • Acts like a real-time leaderboard to spotlight emerging videos.
     
   • Offers creators the chance to get discovered in the early life cycle of their uploads.
     
3. Analytics Enhancements
   
   • Upgraded viewer insights help creators identify what’s resonating across content categories.
     

 These tools reflect YouTube’s broader shift from curated discovery to data-driven, algorithm-powered growth.

Why This Move Matters

This change is part of a larger trend in digital content platforms the death of static virality in favor of dynamic, personalized engagement.

Let’s break down what it means for different groups:

 For Viewers:

• Say goodbye to the generic trending list.
  
• Discover more relevant, personalized, and interest-based content.
  
• Tap into viral culture through Shorts, community posts, and Charts.
  

For Creators:

• Less focus on chasing the “Trending” tab.
  
• More support for long-term growth through niche audiences.
  
• Better tools to align content with rising search interest and cultural moments.
  

The Bigger Picture: YouTube’s Strategy in 2025

This isn’t an isolated update it’s a glimpse into YouTube’s strategic direction:

1. Competing with TikTok and Instagram Reels
   
   • By shifting attention to Shorts and AI-powered discovery, YouTube is doubling down on the formats that younger audiences prefer.
     
2. Emphasizing Community + Relevance
   
   • Charts and AI tools aim to reflect what communities actually care about, not just what’s viral globally.
     
3. Smarter Ecosystem for Monetization
   
   • YouTube wants to ensure ads, subscriptions, and creator tools are aligned with modern content habits.
     

 Final Thoughts

The end of the YouTube Trending page might feel like a nostalgic loss for longtime users, but it reflects a necessary evolution. Viral fame is no longer measured by a one-size-fits-all list—it’s personalized, fragmented, and community-driven.