Creating videos based on trending topics increases the likelihood of your videos garnering millions of views. You have likely observed that when YouTube channels upload videos targeting trending keywords, they often attract millions or even tens of millions of views. In this post, we will explain exactly how to find trending topics and keywords for your YouTube channel.
Increasing views and subscribers on your YouTube channel is often challenging, requiring effort across everything from channel art to content creation. If you get it right, YouTube can become an excellent platform for generating income and covering your expenses.
There are several factors to consider when becoming a YouTuber. For instance, to reach an audience early on, you should create videos based on trending topics that have the potential to go viral.
The question now is: how do you find these trending topics or keywords for your channel? Let’s explore this in detail.
If you are new to YouTube, the first step is understanding your audience what they like, what they do, and the type of videos they watch. You also need to identify your own areas of expertise.
Assuming you already have a YouTube channel and are simply looking for trending topics or keywords, here are some ways you can find them.
How to Find Trending Topics for Your YouTube Channel?
Here, we are sharing some of the easiest ways to find trending video topics for beginners, along with information on various keyword research tools.
If you want to start a YouTube channel or create a new video for an existing one, you can use these tools to discover trending topics in 2026.
1. YouTube Trends
One of the easiest ways to discover trending topics is through YouTube's current trends and discovery features. By exploring popular videos and topics, you can gauge which subjects are currently attracting attention. You can then select topics that are relevant to your channel and audience.
2. YouTube AutoSuggest
Whenever you enter a query into the YouTube search bar, YouTube AutoSuggest displays popular search queries. This allows you to easily identify search terms that people are interested in.
This is a completely free feature available to everyone. YouTube's built-in AutoSuggest feature is an often-overlooked option. Simply go to the search bar and start typing a keyword; you will then receive several suggestions containing that keyword.
These aren't just random suggestions generated on the fly; they are based on search activity and can give you ideas about what people are searching for on YouTube.
3. Google Trends
You can use Google Trends a free search analysis site to discover what is currently trending on YouTube. It is considered one of the best ways to research trending topics. Once you learn how to use it effectively, you can gain a wealth of valuable information.
You can use Google Trends in two ways:
1. Trending Searches
In this section, you can view current search trends and rising search terms. You can explore trend information based on different locations to see what people are currently searching for.
2. Explore
Here, you can conduct custom data analysis for specific terms. The best part is that this section allows you to compare search topics and queries by applying filters for location, category, time period, and platform, including YouTube Search.
4. TubeBuddy
TubeBuddy is a browser extension that offers a variety of features to help creators generate ideas for their YouTube channels. You can discover practical new topics for your YouTube channel by checking your keywords using its keyword research features.
It offers a free version, though the options are quite limited. With this version, you can access some keyword research features. Its paid plans provide access to additional features such as Video SEO, bulk processing tools, productivity tools, data and research tools, and promotion tools.
Although these features are primarily intended to help YouTube creators, they can also be useful for understanding audience interest and finding engaging video ideas.
5. VidIQ
VidIQ is a YouTube keyword analysis tool designed to help creators find the best keywords for their videos. VidIQ has a suite of YouTube keyword tools that can help creators learn what their audience is searching for and how to create better content for their audience.
It provides many features like daily ideas, keyword research, search value, competitor analysis, channel audit, and other creator tools, but I like its 2 features best.
Daily Ideas: It analyzes your YouTube channel and provides you with new topic ideas daily, from which you can get new video topics.
Competitor Analysis: This allows you to see what type of videos are performing well for other channels, helping you understand what your target audience may like to watch.
VidIQ also provides a browser extension like TubeBuddy, but its features are different, which can provide you with additional benefits. That is why its pricing can also be higher depending on the plan you choose.
6. Keyword.io
You can use Keyword.io to find keyword suggestions for your YouTube channel. Using this tool, you can search and find keyword ideas by selecting YouTube as the platform.
You can take keyword suggestions using this tool and use them to generate new content ideas. For a better understanding of trending topics and to know which topics may work best, you can use Google Trends and Keyword.io together.
7. Keyword Tool
Keyword Tool gives users access to YouTube keyword research tools. This tool uses YouTube's autocomplete feature to generate keyword suggestions, giving creators ideas about what keywords they can use in their video titles and content.
Unlike some other YouTube keyword tools, you don't need an account to use the basic version. This keyword research tool for YouTube generates many long-tail keyword suggestions, while the Pro version provides additional features and keyword data.
8. Ahrefs
For SEO analysis and backlinks, you can use Ahrefs, which provides a comprehensive set of tools. Ahrefs also offers keyword research features that can help you discover keywords and understand search demand.
I use it for keyword research because it provides useful keyword data and can help you discover additional content opportunities. If you want more advanced features, you can also use its paid plans.
9. Semrush
Semrush provides intuitive keyword research tools to help digital marketers increase traffic to their content and understand what people are searching for.
With this, creators can generate new and interesting content ideas based on what their target audience is searching for. Ultimately, it helps creators save time on research by providing keyword data and useful metrics.
These keyword research tools provide a large database of keywords to help you choose the best keywords for your video content. This tool can save you time when finding long-tail keywords and content ideas.
10. Google Keyword Planner
To do keyword research, you can use Google Keyword Planner. This free tool is available through Google Ads and can help you discover keyword ideas and search data.
Depending on your Google Ads account setup, some features and data may be limited. Google Keyword Planner helps with keyword research and provides useful information such as search volume ranges and historical statistics.
Our Favorite YouTube Keyword Tool
TubeBuddy takes the #1 spot on our list. It helps us with keyword research, but here are a few reasons why we consider it one of the best YouTube keyword tools:
It is easy to use: TubeBuddy provides important information needed for effective keyword research. Its interface is simple enough that even beginners can feel comfortable using it.
It is comprehensive: TubeBuddy combines multiple functionalities into a single tool, meaning you don't have to use several different programs to conduct your research.
It is lightweight: TubeBuddy is designed to be straightforward and easy to use. You don't have to deal with complicated software or a difficult setup process.
It has free features: For many small creators and beginners, paying for a tool that performs a specific function isn't always feasible within the budget. That's why TubeBuddy's free features can be useful when getting started.
If we were to mention another top tool, we would recommend VidIQ. It offers features like "Daily Ideas" and "Competitor Analysis," helping you understand the type of videos your audience may be interested in watching.
Conclusion
These tools help you find trending topics, keywords, and ideas for your YouTube channel, enabling you to create videos with the potential to trend. Ultimately, however, it depends on the type of content you are able to create.
While the question of how to find trending topics for YouTube videos can seem overwhelming for beginners, this list of popular research tools will certainly help you get started.
If you found this information useful, please be sure to share it with your friends on social media especially those who are YouTube creators.
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