How to Find Trending Topics on Instagram’s Explore Page
Instagram’s Explore page is a powerful tool for discovering trending topics, content, and conversations that are shaping the platform. For creators, influencers, and brands, staying on top of trending topics is essential for producing relevant content that resonates with a wider audience. The Explore page, with its curated feed based on users’ interests and behaviors, can serve as an invaluable resource for identifying trends, engaging with audiences, and growing your presence on Instagram.
In this article, we’ll dive into how you can find trending topics on Instagram’s Explore page, explore strategies to leverage these trends, and discuss how they can elevate your content strategy.
What Is the Instagram Explore Page?
Before delving into the specifics of finding trending topics, it’s important to understand what the Instagram Explore page is and how it works.
The Explore page is a personalized hub that surfaces content relevant to each user’s interests, showing them posts, videos, Reels, Stories, and even shopping options based on their past behavior. This means that the content featured on the Explore page varies from person to person. However, one constant feature is the presence of trending topics—specific subjects, hashtags, or themes that are gaining popularity at any given moment.
For creators and businesses, understanding how to tap into these trends can boost engagement and help their content reach a broader, often untapped, audience.
How the Instagram Algorithm Works on the Explore Page
To find trending topics, it’s important to understand the algorithm that powers the Explore page. Instagram’s Explore algorithm curates content based on a combination of signals, including user engagement, content preferences, and the timeliness of posts. It also takes into account:
- User Activity: Instagram tracks your interactions, such as the posts you like, comment on, or share. The Explore page adapts based on these behaviors.
- Post Engagement: Content that garners high engagement (likes, comments, shares, saves) is more likely to appear on the Explore page.
- Timeliness: Trending topics are often linked to real-time events, seasonal changes, or viral content.
- Content Type: Instagram prioritizes different content formats based on user interaction, such as Reels, Stories, and regular posts.
Given that the Explore page is tailored to the individual, finding trending topics involves recognizing patterns in content that consistently perform well across users and leveraging those insights.
How to Find Trending Topics on Instagram’s Explore Page
1. Use the Explore Page Search Bar
One of the easiest ways to identify trending topics is by using the search bar on Instagram’s Explore page. By typing in relevant keywords, you’ll see a variety of content categories, including:
- Hashtags: Typing in a hashtag will give you a list of popular and related hashtags currently trending.
- Accounts: Explore profiles that frequently post content related to your area of interest.
- Places: Discover trending locations and geotags that can give you insights into popular events or regions.
As you type in a keyword or hashtag, Instagram will show you a mix of related content, including viral posts and trends from your network or a broader audience.
2. Browse the Explore Feed for Trending Posts
While the search bar is useful, you can also simply scroll through the Explore feed to spot trending topics. Instagram will surface content based on what’s currently gaining traction across the platform. You’ll notice that certain posts consistently show up in the Explore section, whether they’re related to viral challenges, news, or popular themes.
Pay attention to patterns like:
- High engagement: Look for posts with a large number of likes, comments, and shares.
- Popular hashtags: Trending topics often appear alongside specific hashtags. For example, #BlackFridayDeals or #FashionWeek during seasonal events.
- Event-driven trends: Holidays, sporting events, and global happenings often dominate the Explore feed.
3. Leverage Instagram’s Trending Hashtags
Hashtags are a powerful tool for finding trending topics. Instagram allows users to follow hashtags, making it easy to monitor the latest trends and discover topics that are currently gaining momentum.
How to use hashtags to find trending topics:
- Follow Hashtags: You can follow specific hashtags directly from the search bar. Instagram will show you relevant posts for the hashtags you follow in your Explore feed.
- Check Popular Hashtags: Trending hashtags are often featured in Instagram’s Explore section. Look for hashtags that have high post volume but are relevant to your content niche.
- Use Tools to Track Trending Hashtags: Tools like Hashtagify, RiteTag, and All Hashtag can help you find hashtags that are gaining traction, giving you a deeper look into which topics are trending.
4. Monitor Instagram Reels for Viral Trends
Instagram Reels are rapidly becoming one of the most engaging content types on the platform. Many of the most viral trends and challenges start on Reels, so it’s a great way to spot trending topics in real-time.
To find trending topics through Reels:
- Browse the Reels section: This is a hub for trending videos. Pay attention to the types of challenges, dances, or themes that are appearing frequently.
- Check Reels Hashtags: Reels often feature specific hashtags tied to popular challenges, viral songs, or content series. Searching for Reels-specific hashtags can guide you to the latest trends.
- Follow Creators: Influencers and content creators often set the stage for viral trends. By following key influencers, you’ll stay updated on emerging trends that could soon dominate the Explore page.
5. Stay Updated on Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories also play a role in trending topics, especially when it comes to viral moments or events. By checking your Story feed, you can spot trends emerging from accounts you follow or stories that are being shared widely.
Key tips for using Stories to track trends:
- Check out the Story Highlights: Many influencers and brands create highlight reels featuring trending topics. You can use these as a source of inspiration.
- Engage with Story Stickers: Instagram’s Story features, like polls, quizzes, and question stickers, often play a role in gauging what’s trending or what users are currently interested in.
- Watch Story Shares: Pay attention to stories that have been shared widely or reposted by multiple users. These usually indicate the rise of a trend.
6. Track Instagram’s Daily Trends and Challenges
Instagram often features trending topics and challenges directly on the Explore page. Events, seasons, and holidays (e.g., Christmas, New Year, Halloween) often come with their own trending hashtags or challenges. Keeping track of these can give you a solid sense of what’s gaining traction.
How to track daily trends:
- Look for Instagram’s seasonal posts: Instagram often highlights seasonal trends (e.g., summer fashion, winter skincare). Check for these posts in your Explore feed.
- Participate in Trending Challenges: Instagram features various viral challenges that are tied to popular music, themes, or events. These challenges often have their own hashtags, making it easier for you to join the conversation.
7. Use Third-Party Tools to Monitor Trends
Several third-party tools offer in-depth analytics and insights into trending content on Instagram. These tools can help you identify trending hashtags, track viral content, and even discover emerging themes within your niche.
Popular tools include:
- BuzzSumo: Tracks trending content across social media platforms, including Instagram.
- Trendsmap: Allows you to see trending topics on a map, which can give you location-specific trends.
- Social Blade: Offers data on Instagram account growth and popular trends over time.
How to Leverage Trending Topics for Your Content Strategy
Once you’ve identified trending topics, it’s time to strategically incorporate them into your content. Here’s how to make the most of these trends:
- Be Authentic: Don’t force a trend that doesn’t align with your brand or niche. Authenticity matters, and users are quick to spot irrelevant or out-of-place content.
- Use Relevant Hashtags: Pair trending topics with appropriate hashtags to increase the likelihood of appearing in Explore feeds.
- Create Engaging Content: Trending topics only work if your content is engaging. Use high-quality visuals, captivating captions, and interactive elements to make your posts stand out.
- Time Your Posts Right: Post when your audience is most active to maximize engagement. Use Instagram Insights to identify peak activity times.
Conclusion
The Instagram Explore page is a dynamic and ever-evolving hub for discovering trending topics, viral challenges, and relevant content. By leveraging hashtags, engaging with Reels, staying updated with daily trends, and using third-party tools, you can stay ahead of the curve and ensure that your content resonates with the right audience.
Trending topics offer a fantastic opportunity to boost engagement and gain visibility, but it’s crucial to remain authentic and relevant to your niche. Use these strategies to consistently find and incorporate trending topics into your content, helping you stay visible and connected with the Instagram community.
