After 10 Years, YouTube Shuts Down Its Trending Section
YouTube has officially announced the end of its Trending page , a feature that has been part of the platform since 2015. In a recent update, the company revealed it will be phasing out the Trending page and Trending Now list over the next few weeks, citing changes in how users create, discover, and consume content.
The decision comes as YouTube has evolved into a much larger and more diverse ecosystem, where “videos created by many fandoms” and “micro-trends enjoyed by niche communities” are now the norm. What once worked well — a single list of trending videos — no longer fits the way users interact with the platform today.
🔍 Why Was the Trending Page Removed?
YouTube explained that the old model of a single, universal trending list no longer reflects the way users find popular content. Over the past five years, visits to the Trending page have dropped significantly, indicating a shift in user behavior.
As part of the update, the platform will move away from one-size-fits-all trending content , and instead focus on category-specific charts that better match how people discover what’s popular today.
🧭 What’s Replacing the Trending Page?
While the Trending page is going away, YouTube isn’t leaving users without options. Here’s what’s replacing it:
- YouTube Charts : Offering category-specific rankings such as weekly top podcast shows, trending music videos, and popular movie trailers.
- Personalized Recommendations : The home feed will continue to suggest trending content based on individual preferences.
- Explore Tab : Users can still browse non-personalized content through this section.
- Shorts, Comments, and Communities : These areas will remain key sources for discovering what’s currently popular.
🎥 Support for Creators
For content creators, YouTube is not cutting off access to trending insights. The platform will continue to provide:
- Content Ideas and Trend Insights through the Inspiration tab in YouTube Studio.
- Hype Feature (Beta) : Designed to boost visibility for up-and-coming creators and new videos.
- Official YouTube Channels : Rising creators will continue to be highlighted through social media mentions and a dedicated section on the Music Explore page .