Ten years on, YouTube’s trending tab is no longer trending

After almost 10 years, YouTube has decided to shut down its ‘Trending’ and ‘Trending Now’ sections. And let’s be real, most of us didn’t really use them anymore. Instead, YouTube is moving towards category-specific charts, like trending music videos, top podcasts, and popular trailers.

It’s a shift that actually feels more in tune with how we all watch content today.

These days, people don’t discover videos from a single “what’s hot” list. We come across content through Shorts, search, recommendations, comments, or even niche communities we’re part of. What’s popular for one person might not even show up for someone else. It’s all become very personalised.

Back in 2015, when the ‘Trending’ page first launched, things were simpler online. A single list could reflect what everyone was watching.

But now? There are so many different fandoms and mini-trends. Everyone has their own version of “what’s trending.”

Here’s what YouTube said in its official statement:

“Back when we first launched the Trending page in 2015, the answer to ‘what’s trending?’ was a lot simpler to capture with a singular list of viral videos that everyone was talking about. Today, trends consist of many videos created by many fandoms, and there are more micro-trends enjoyed by diverse communities than ever before. Viewers increasingly learn about trends in different places across YouTube—from recommendations and search suggestions to Shorts, comments and Communities. With these shifts, we’ve seen visits to the Trending page decrease significantly, especially over the last five years.”

Moving forward, YouTube wants people to explore what’s popular through YouTube Charts, which already highlight top music and podcasts. Gaming content is also shifting to the Explore tab.

And for creators, tools like the Inspiration tab and Hype feature are being encouraged to help spot what’s picking up momentum.

This change isn’t just about redesigning a page. It reflects how all of us are watching content now—in ways that are more personal, more varied, and based on what really clicks with us.

For creators, this might open new opportunities to stand out in their own space. And for viewers, it means seeing content that feels more relevant and less generic.

In a way, YouTube isn’t just showing us trends anymore. It’s following along with us.

Sci/Tech