TikTok TikTok Creative Center
Trending hashtags, songs, creators and videos, by country, industry and time frame.
Open it: On a computer, go to the Creative Center, sign in with a free account, and open Trends.
How to read it- Open a hashtag or song to see its trendline: rising now beats big but flat.
- Filter by your country and the last 7 days. Older trends are usually past their peak.
- Check the related videos to see the format people are using, not just the sound.
Watch out: Business accounts can only use songs from TikTok’s Commercial Music Library. A trending song may not be available to you.
TikTok Creator Search Insights
What people search for on TikTok, and a “Content gap” filter for topics searched often but covered by few videos.
Open it: In the TikTok app, search “Creator Search Insights,” or find it in TikTok Studio.
How to read it- Start with Content gap: those are questions people ask that few videos answer.
- Searches by followers shows what your own audience looks for (once you have over 1,000 followers).
- Use the exact search phrase in your on-screen text, caption and the first thing you say.
Watch out: TikTok notes some topic suggestions are AI-generated and may be inaccurate. Check the topic makes sense before you film.
YouTube YouTube Studio Trends
What your audience and similar viewers are searching for and watching, including breakout videos from channels like yours.
Open it: YouTube Studio → Analytics → Trends.
How to read it- Breakout videos are channels similar to yours doing unusually well. Study the topic and the title.
- Saved searches let you track a topic over time instead of checking once.
- Topics your audience searched for with few good videos are your best openings.
Watch out: YouTube is phasing out the separate Inspiration tab from August 2026; for brainstorming it points creators to Ask Studio.
Google and YouTube search Google Trends
How interest in a search term changes over time and by place, including a YouTube Search filter.
Open it: Go to Google Trends, type a term, then switch “Web Search” to “YouTube Search.”
How to read it- The line is relative, not a count: 100 is the busiest point in your chosen time and place, 50 is half that.
- Compare two or three phrasings to pick the words people actually use.
- Set five years to spot seasonal topics, then plan to post a couple of weeks before the rise.
Watch out: Small topics show as 0 or a jumpy line. That means low volume, not no interest.
Pinterest Pinterest Trends
Top searches, saves and shopping trends by region, going back about two years.
Open it: With a Pinterest business account: menu → Analyze performance → Pinterest Trends.
How to read it- Look at the yearly shape: Pinterest users plan early, so seasonal searches start weeks ahead.
- A crystal-ball icon marks Pinterest Predicts trends, its yearly forecast.
- Use the exact trending phrase in your Pin title and description.
Watch out: Some features are still in testing and only available in certain regions.
Instagram Instagram trending audio and reels
Trending audio marked with an arrow when you pick a song, popular reels in your Professional Dashboard, and trending reels in the Edits app.
Open it: When adding audio to a reel, look for the trending arrow. Also check your Professional Dashboard and the Edits app.
How to read it- An upward arrow on a song means it’s growing on Instagram right now.
- Save trending audio to use later, but only if it suits your video.
- Watch a few reels using it to see the format, then do your version.
Watch out: Instagram labels and menus change often, so names may differ in your app.
YouTube, by niche Niche Pulse
Ours: this week’s most-viewed new short videos in 62 niches, with views and channel sizes, refreshed weekly.
See what’s working in your niche → Checked October 2026 against each app’s help pages. Menus move often; if a path here has changed, let Ray know.
