Overview
YouTube has announced that it will phase out its long-standing “Trending” page and list, first introduced in 2015. In its place, the platform will focus on “YouTube Charts” and category-specific content within the “Explore” tab to better align with today’s diversified viewer preferences.
Why It’s Ending: The Rise of “Micro-Trends” and Declining Usage
According to YouTube, the need for a centralized “Trending” feature has diminished in recent years as users increasingly engage with micro-trends specific to communities and fandoms. The platform also noted a sharp decline in traffic to the Trending page over the past five years.
Modern users now discover trends through recommendations, search suggestions, Shorts, comments, and community tabs—making the centralized trending list largely obsolete.
What’s Next: “YouTube Charts” and Topic-Based Curation
Going forward, users will be able to discover what’s popular through “YouTube Charts,” which will include categories such as:
- Top trending music videos
- Weekly podcast rankings
- Popular movie trailers
Trending videos in the gaming category will remain available under the “Games” section within Explore. YouTube also plans to expand these categories beyond music, podcasts, and movies.
Boosting Personalization and Creator Support
Even after retiring the Trending page, YouTube will continue enhancing user discovery and creator engagement through features such as:
- Personalized recommendations based on watch history and user interests
- The “Inspiration” tab in YouTube Studio, which suggests trending content ideas tailored to each creator
- A new “Hype” feature that allows viewers to help promote emerging content across the platform
Timeline and Implementation
The official removal of the Trending page is expected around July 21, 2025, based on announcements from YouTube’s official channels. The change is being rolled out globally in phases.
A YouTube spokesperson stated that “a single trending list no longer serves the needs of modern users,” emphasizing a broader shift toward personalized content discovery and diversified trend visibility through features like Explore and Community tabs.
Expert Reactions
Industry experts have expressed mixed reactions. Some view this as a natural evolution that enhances personalized viewing, while others caution that the lack of a shared trending list may reduce collective conversations and diminish the platform’s role in highlighting cultural moments.
Conclusion
YouTube’s decision to retire the Trending page marks a major shift in how content trends are surfaced. As personalization becomes the core of user experience, the challenge now lies in balancing individual discovery with shared cultural relevance.
