As a longtime YouTube user, I must admit that I’ve only explored the platform’s ‘Trending’ section a few times since its launch in 2015. While the section itself is well-designed, I typically know what I want to watch when I log in.
The numerous recommended videos already available on the home screen suffice for discovering new content. It’s likely that many users share my sentiments, as recent data indicates declining interest in the Trending section.
In response to this trend, YouTube has announced it will be discontinuing the Trending page, with the change set to take effect on July 21. When the Trending page first came about, identifying viral videos was relatively straightforward.
However, in today’s diverse digital landscape, trends originate from various fandoms, resulting in numerous micro-trends cropping up within distinct communities. This shift in viewer behavior has prompted YouTube to reevaluate its strategy, moving away from a singular Trending list and instead focusing on the YouTube Charts, which were launched in 2018.
Post July 21, users can still access popular content across various categories through the Charts feature. Currently, YouTube Charts emphasize trending music videos, popular podcast shows, and movie trailers, with plans to introduce additional categories soon.
For gamers, the Gaming Explore page will remain a primary source for trending gaming videos. With these changes, the music section is poised to take over the position previously held by Trending in the YouTube sidebar, both on the web and mobile apps.
How do you engage with YouTube’s content? Do you prefer the Trending section, or like me, do you find your next video through personal recommendations?
Feel free to share your experiences in the comments.
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