X/Twitter Glossary

What is Trending Topics?

Trending topics are subjects, hashtags, or phrases that are currently being discussed at higher-than-usual volume on X.

Full Explanation

X's trending section shows topics gaining traction based on velocity of mentions—not just total volume, but how quickly discussion is growing. Trends can be global, national, or tailored to your interests and location. They include hashtags (#topic), keywords, and phrases. X's algorithm identifies trends by detecting spikes in conversation around specific terms. Trends typically last a few hours to a day before the algorithm moves on to newer topics.

Why It Matters

Trending topics represent what the X community is talking about right now. Creating content around trends can dramatically increase your visibility because you're joining a larger conversation. When you post about a trending topic, your content can appear in searches for that trend, exposing you to audiences far beyond your followers. However, trend-jacking only works if your take is genuinely valuable.

Examples

  • A breaking news story causes a hashtag to trend
  • A cultural event (#SuperBowl, #Oscars) trends during and after
  • Twitter-specific trends like 'ratio' or '#FollowFriday'
  • Controversy causes a person's name or brand to trend

Tips for Creators

  • 1.Move fast—trends are most valuable when you're early
  • 2.Only join trends relevant to your niche and audience
  • 3.Add genuine value—don't just insert yourself into unrelated conversations
  • 4.Monitor trends for content inspiration, not just opportunistic posting
  • 5.Trending topics can reveal what your audience cares about right now
Related Poaster Feature:Trending Topics

Poaster's Trending Topics feature monitors real-time trends so you can jump on relevant conversations while they're hot.

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