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YouTube is removing its iconic Trending page and Trending Now list, pivoting to category-specific charts and personalized recommendations. Explore how this change will impact creators, viewers, and the future of content discovery.
Farewell to a Digital Landmark
For many, the YouTube Trending page was a daily ritual—a digital pulse check on what the world was watching. From viral music videos to surprise meme sensations, the page was a cultural crossroads. But as of July 2025, YouTube is officially retiring both its Trending page and the Trending Now list, ending a decade-long chapter in the platform’s history.
Why Is YouTube Making This Move?
Back in 2015, when YouTube first introduced the Trending tab, it was a simpler time for online culture. Viral moments were rare and often universal, uniting millions of viewers around a single video. Fast forward to today, and the digital landscape is fragmented. YouTube’s own data shows a sharp decline in visits to the Trending section over the past five years. The reason? The rise of micro-communities and hyper-personalized content feeds has made a single, all-encompassing list feel outdated.
YouTube explained, “Trends now consist of many videos created by many fandoms, and there are more micro-trends enjoyed by diverse communities than ever before. Viewers increasingly learn about trends in different places across YouTube—from recommendations and search suggestions to Shorts, comments and Communities”.
What’s Replacing Trending? Enter Category-Specific Charts
So, what’s next? YouTube is rolling out category-specific charts: think Trending Music Videos, Weekly Top Podcast Shows, and Trending Movie Trailers. More categories are on the way, reflecting the platform’s diverse user base and the explosion of niche interests. The familiar one-size-fits-all Trending list is giving way to a more nuanced approach, where users can discover what’s hot in their favorite corners of YouTube.
For gaming fans, the Gaming Explore page will continue to spotlight trending videos. Meanwhile, the “Music” section is set to take over the prime sidebar real estate once occupied by Trending, signaling a shift in how YouTube prioritizes discovery.
How Viewers Find Content in 2025
Let’s be honest—most people haven’t clicked the Trending tab in ages. Personalized recommendations, Shorts, and curated feeds have quietly taken over as the main ways viewers stumble upon new content. YouTube’s algorithm now tailors suggestions based on individual viewing habits, engagement, and even the time of day. This means that discovery is less about mass appeal and more about matching each user with videos they’re likely to love.
The rise of Shorts, which now boasts over 200 billion daily views, further underscores this shift. Bite-sized, algorithm-driven content is king, and YouTube’s new AI-powered search carousel is making it even easier for users to find videos that match their interests—sometimes before they even know what they’re looking for.
What Does This Mean for Creators?
For creators, the end of the Trending page is bittersweet. In the old days, landing a spot on Trending could catapult a channel to overnight stardom. But the system was never perfect—many independent creators felt overshadowed by big brands and traditional media, even when their videos racked up impressive view counts.
Now, YouTube is encouraging creators to leverage new tools like the Inspiration Tab in YouTube Studio, which uses AI to generate content ideas, and the Hype promotional system, allowing fans to boost emerging videos onto a leaderboard. Category-specific charts promise more targeted visibility, giving niche creators a better shot at recognition within their communities instead of competing with mainstream viral hits.
The End of a Shared Experience
There’s a certain nostalgia in saying goodbye to the Trending page. For years, it was a digital water cooler—a place where everyone could see what was capturing the world’s attention. But internet culture has splintered. What’s trending now is less about one big moment and more about thousands of small ones happening simultaneously across countless communities.
Some users will miss the sense of collective experience, while others will embrace the new system’s focus on personalization and relevance. Either way, YouTube’s update marks a turning point, reflecting broader trends in how we consume and share video content.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Discovery
YouTube isn’t standing still. The platform is doubling down on AI-driven recommendations, smarter analytics, and new features designed to help both viewers and creators thrive in a more fragmented ecosystem. Expect more category charts, deeper personalization, and continued innovation in how content is surfaced and shared.
The way we discover videos is changing—again. And honestly? That’s kind of exciting.
Conclusion:
YouTube’s decision to retire the Trending page isn’t just a technical update—it’s a reflection of how we all watch, share, and connect with video content in 2025. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a dedicated creator, the way you experience YouTube is about to get a little more personal, a bit more tailored, and, hopefully, a lot more interesting.
