Are you wondering what’s replacing the YouTube Trending tab in 2025? Discover the shocking reason behind YouTube ending the trending page, what comes next, and how it impacts creators and viewers alike.
In July 2025, YouTube made a shocking move by discontinuing its YouTube Trending Page, a section that had been a daily ritual for millions of users.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The YouTube Trending page has been a staple for content discovery since its inception. However, in July 2025, YouTube made a bold move — they officially announced the removal of the Trending tab. With millions of creators and billions of viewers impacted, this change has sparked major conversations across the internet.
So, what exactly is happening, why is YouTube doing this, and most importantly, what comes next?
Why Did YouTube Remove the Trending Tab?
According to official statements from YouTube, there are several reasons behind this change:
- Low engagement: Fewer users were actually clicking on the Trending tab.
- Relevance issues: The content shown wasn’t always personalized or regionally relevant.
- Creator complaints: Many creators argued that the Trending page favored mainstream media over independent YouTubers.
- Shift to personalized content: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Shorts are using personalized algorithms more effectively.
The YouTube Trending Page helped creators gain exposure organically. Removing the Trending tab is part of YouTube’s broader strategy to prioritize personalization over generic virality.
What Replaces YouTube Trending Now?
Since the shutdown of the YouTube Trending Page, engagement patterns have shifted. Instead of the Trending tab, YouTube is now pushing users toward the Explore tab and personalized Home feeds. Here’s how:
- Explore tab: Replaces Trending with categories like Gaming, Music, Learning, News, and Shorts.
- AI-powered recommendations: The homepage now adapts faster to your watch history, likes, and searches.
- Real-time viral detection: YouTube Shorts, in particular, shows real-time trending content based on your behavior and location.
For years, the YouTube Trending Page acted as a cultural snapshot, highlighting what was resonating across the platform. Alternatives to the YouTube Trending Page now include Shorts, Explore, and AI-based personalization.
What This Means for Creators
This change is both a challenge and an opportunity:
Pros:
- More chances for niche creators to get discovered.
- Personalized feeds help match content with interested users.
- Greater focus on Shorts and real-time trends.
Cons:
- No centralized page to gain mass visibility.
- Harder to measure ‘trending’ status of a video.
- More competition to appear in user feeds.
Impact on Viewers and Discovery
For users, the experience may become more engaging but less objective:
- You won’t see what’s trending globally anymore.
- Content suggestions are now tailored to your interests.
- Discovery is driven by shorts, notifications, and Explore.
Removing the YouTube Trending Page signals a shift towards AI-curated content that’s tailored to individual users rather than the masses. This makes YouTube more immersive but also echo-chamber prone, as you may only see content that aligns with your past behavior.
How YouTube’s Explore Tab Works
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Music | Viral tracks, new artists, top charts |
| Gaming | Live streams, walkthroughs, game trailers |
| News | Breaking global and regional headlines |
| Movies | Trailers, movie reviews, interviews |
| Learning | Educational content, tutorials |
Unlike the old Trending tab, Explore is constantly updated and region-specific, allowing more personalized recommendations.
How to Discover Viral Content Without Trending
You can still find what’s going viral by:
- Checking YouTube Shorts daily.
- Following creators on social platforms like Twitter and Threads.
- Subscribing to YouTube newsletters.
- Using third-party tools like SocialBlade or Vidooly.
What Comes Next for YouTube in 2025?
With the Trending tab gone, YouTube is focusing on:
- More AI in recommendations
- Deep integration with Google Discover
- Greater monetization for Shorts
- Improved Creator Studio insights for performance
Expect a massive shift towards personalization, short-form content, and mobile-first discovery. The legacy of the YouTube Trending Page will likely influence how future platforms design their content curation strategies.
How This Affects Advertisers and Brands
Without a Trending tab, brands will need to:
- Invest more in influencer partnerships.
- Use AI analytics tools to monitor what’s actually going viral.
- Adapt campaigns for YouTube Shorts and Stories.
Some creators argue that losing the YouTube Trending Page will make it harder for new videos to gain organic visibility.
Internal Reactions from Creators
Some of the reactions from famous creators:
- MrBeast: “I care more about home feed clicks than trending anyway.”
- Marques Brownlee: “Makes sense. Trending wasn’t showing what people really watched.”
- Lilly Singh: “RIP to the clout page. But YouTube evolves. We must too.”
In the absence of the YouTube Trending Page, creators must now focus more on SEO, thumbnails, and titles to stand out.
Expert Opinions and Industry Insights
The removal of the YouTube Trending Page is being tested in select countries before a potential global rollout. TechCrunch, The Verge, and other tech blogs agree: YouTube’s strategy aligns with the global shift toward AI-powered content curation. Trending is out; personalization is in.
How to Stay Ahead in the Post-Trending Era
If you’re a creator or marketer:
- Focus on your audience retention rate.
- Optimize your videos for mobile and Shorts.
- Use emotion-triggering thumbnails and hooks.
- Monitor AI trend tools like Google Trends + VidIQ.
Without the YouTube Trending Page, users now depend more on personal recommendations and the home feed for discovery.
Conclusion: Is This the End of Viral Videos?
The removal of the YouTube Trending Page has sparked conversations among creators and marketers about the future of content discovery. Not at all. In fact, it may be the start of smarter virality.
The end of the YouTube Trending page is a symbolic shift in how content is discovered and distributed. Instead of forcing one-size-fits-all virality, YouTube now favors tailored viral journeys for each user.
It’s the age of “trending for you” — not trending for everyone.
If you’re interested in more AI productivity hacks, don’t miss our Ultimate List of AI Tools for Students.
FAQs
Q1. Why did YouTube remove the Trending page?
A: YouTube said the page had low engagement and didn’t reflect personalized or real-time interest.
Q2. What’s replacing the Trending tab?
A: The Explore tab, Shorts feed, and personalized homepage are the new alternatives.
Q3. How can creators go viral without Trending?
A: Focus on Shorts, optimize for the algorithm, and build an engaged audience.
Q4. Will this change impact smaller creators?
A: Yes, in a good way. Smaller creators now have better chances to get discovered via personalization.
Q5. Is this a permanent change?
A: YouTube has confirmed the removal is permanent, but newer features may evolve soon.
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