Introduction
YouTube, the world's largest video sharing platform, recently made a major change. In July 2025, the company completely removed its popular "Trending" page and "Trending Now" list. This feature had been in place since 2015, giving users a glimpse of popular videos around the world. But now it's gone. So the question arises: why did YouTube make this move? In this article, let's take a look at the reasons behind this change, its impact, and future plans.
What was the Trending section?
The Trending section was a section of YouTube that displayed a list of popular videos. It included music videos, movie trailers, gaming content, and other viral videos. It was a generic list that was the same for all users, without any personalization. This feature was also important for creators, as appearing on Trending was an easy way to increase views and subscribers. However, over time, its relevance diminished.
Main Reasons for Removal of Trending section
YouTube attributed this change to shifting user behavior. Here are some of the key reasons:
- Changes in User Behavior: Visits to the Trending page have declined significantly over the past five years. Users now discover trends in different ways, such as through recommendations on the home page, search suggestions, shorts, comments, and communities. A generic list is now outdated, as users prefer personalized content.
- Declining Engagement: YouTube data showed that the use of the Trending section was declining. People find content directly through searches or AI-powered recommendations. A one-size-fits-all approach is no longer working, especially as users' interests become more niche, such as gaming, beauty, or education.
- The Rise of Micro-Trends: Trends today are fragmented into smaller groups. A global trending list doesn't capture diversity. Additionally, some users have stated that Trending often removes content that isn't advertiser-friendly, making it biased.
- The Age of Personalization: YouTube is now focusing on algorithm-driven content. Shorts and AI recommendations have replaced Trending. The company believes that category-specific charts will become more relevant.
Impact on Users and Creators
- For Users: Some users are at a disadvantage, especially those used to discovering new content through Trending. Many users on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) complained that it was now difficult to find music videos or trailers. However, personalization will lead to a better experience.
- For Creators: This is a setback. It used to be easy to go viral on Trending, which increased views and revenue. Now, creators will have to focus on search optimization and niche content. However, category charts can make it easier to reach specific audiences.
What will replace Trending?
Following the removal of the Trending page, YouTube has strengthened "YouTube Charts." Here are some new categories:
- Trending Music Videos
- Weekly Top Podcast Shows
- Trending Movie Trailers
- Gaming Content Charts
These charts are more targeted and show users content based on their interests. More categories will be added in the future. For creators, an "Inspiration Tab" will appear in YouTube Studio, suggesting trending topics.
About the Author:
Arjit Kumar
