YouTube is retiring its Trending page in favor of category-specific charts, responding to shifting content discovery patterns across the platform. The change, scheduled to take effect in the coming weeks, represents a strategic pivot in how the video giant showcases popular content.

“We’re making updates to better match how people discover trending content today by shifting away from one all-encompassing Trending list towards category-specific charts,” YouTube announced.

Currently available specialized charts include Trending Music Videos, Weekly Top Podcast Shows, and Trending Movie Trailers. YouTube plans to expand these category-specific charts over time. The Gaming Explore page will temporarily continue featuring trending gaming videos while additional charts are developed.

Declining Engagement

The decision follows a significant decrease in Trending page visits over the past five years. YouTube attributes this decline to changing user behavior, with viewers increasingly discovering trends through recommendations, search suggestions, Shorts, comments, and Communities.

“Back when we first launched the Trending page in 2015, the answer to ‘what’s trending?’ was a lot simpler to capture with a singular list of viral videos that everyone was talking about,” the announcement explains. “Today, trends consist of many videos created by many fandoms, and there are more micro-trends enjoyed by diverse communities than ever before.”

Creator Discovery Initiatives Continue

Despite phasing out the unified Trending page, YouTube maintains its commitment to creator discovery. The platform will continue featuring Creators on the Rise through its official social media channels and YouTube channel. Artist on the Rise will receive dedicated placement on the Music Explore page.

The “Inspiration” tab in YouTube Studio remains available, providing creators with personalized trend insights. YouTube is also implementing new discovery tools, including a “Hype” feature that enables viewers to amplify fresh videos.

The announcement comes as YouTube strengthens enforcement against “mass-produced or repetitive” content beginning July 15. The platform is rebranding its “repetitious content” guideline as “inauthentic content” to better identify spam-like videos that lack originality.

“We’re not introducing a new YPP policy. This is a minor update to our long-standing ‘repetitious content’ guideline,” YouTube clarified. The enforcement targets content that has “always been ineligible for monetization,” as YouTube requires original and authentic uploads for YouTube Partner Program participation.

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