trending keywords research
title: "Trending Keywords Research: How to Find Keywords Before They Go Viral" description: "Learn how to find trending keywords early, analyze keyword trends, and use them to get fast SEO traffic before competition increases."
Overview
Trending keywords give you speed.
While traditional SEO focuses on long-term rankings, trending keywords allow you to:
- Rank faster
- Get traffic early
- Beat competitors before they react
- Build authority quickly
Many high-traffic websites grow because they identify trends early, not because they target old keywords.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to find trending keywords before they become competitive.
What Are Trending Keywords?
Trending keywords are search terms that are:
- Increasing rapidly in popularity
- New or emerging
- Not yet saturated with competition
Examples:
- “AI SEO tools” (when AI first became popular)
- “Google SGE” (before widespread coverage)
- “Core Web Vitals” (early days)
Early movers benefit the most.
Why Trending Keywords Matter in SEO
Trending keywords help you:
- Get early rankings
- Gain backlinks naturally
- Build topical authority
- Capture traffic spikes
While trends may slow down later, authority gained stays.
Trending Keywords vs Evergreen Keywords
| Trending Keywords | Evergreen Keywords | |------------------|-------------------| | Short-term growth | Long-term growth | | Fast rankings | Slow but stable | | Low competition early | Often competitive | | Traffic spikes | Consistent traffic |
Best SEO strategy uses both.
How to Find Trending Keywords (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Use Google Trends (Most Powerful Tool)
Google Trends shows real search behavior.
Use it to:
- Compare keywords
- Detect rising interest
- Identify seasonal trends
What to Look For:
- “Rising” keywords
- Upward trend lines
- Sudden spikes
Tip: Focus on trends that keep rising, not one-day spikes.
Step 2: Monitor News & Industry Updates
Trends often start outside SEO tools.
Sources:
- Tech news websites
- Google blog updates
- Industry newsletters
- Official company announcements
Example: A Google algorithm update often creates:
- “what is [update name]”
- “how to fix [update]”
Early articles rank fast.
Step 3: Use Social Platforms (Hidden Goldmine)
Platforms like:
- X (Twitter)
- YouTube
Show what people are talking about before searching.
Check:
- Trending hashtags
- Frequently asked questions
- Repeating topics
Social buzz often becomes search demand.
Step 4: Use YouTube Search Suggestions
YouTube is the second-largest search engine.
Type your topic and note:
- Autocomplete suggestions
- Newly uploaded videos
- Rapidly growing views
Many SEO trends start on YouTube first.
Step 5: Use Tools to Confirm (Not Discover)
Once you find a trend, use tools to confirm:
- Search volume growth
- Keyword variations
- Competition level
Tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Ahrefs
- Semrush
Remember:
Tools confirm trends — they don’t create them.
How to Validate a Trending Keyword
Before creating content, ask:
- Is interest growing consistently?
- Can I add value quickly?
- Does it fit my niche?
- Can it link to evergreen content?
Avoid trends with:
- Short-lived hype
- No informational value
- No connection to your site topics
Real Example
Trend:
“AI keyword research tools”
Early articles:
- Ranked quickly
- Earned backlinks
- Built authority
Later:
- Competition increased
- But early sites kept ranking
Timing matters.
Trending Keywords + Long-Tail Strategy
Best approach:
- Combine trending topic with long-tail keywords
Example: Instead of:
“AI SEO”
Target:
- AI SEO tools for beginners
- how to use AI for keyword research
This improves:
- Ranking chances
- Intent clarity
(See
👉 Lesson 07 – Long-Tail Keywords)
Common Mistakes With Trending Keywords
- Chasing every trend
- Publishing too late
- Ignoring quality
- Creating thin content
- Forgetting evergreen strategy
Trends require speed + quality.
How Trending Keywords Support SEO Growth
Trending keywords help