Did you know jumping on trending topics on YouTube can boost your views by 10 times overnight? Most creators miss them and end up with just 100 views, while others hit 50,000 with viral content.
And good content with no views? That’s frustrating. So yes, trends aren’t just a gimmick in these algorithm-driven feeds. They push your videos to more people for high engagement.
And that’s why we’ve put together the top YouTube trending topics to help you catch the wave, grow your views fast, and earn more money from your content. Let’s get started!
Top Trending Topics on YouTube for 2025
Here are the trending topics on YouTube for your short-form and long-form videos:
1. Latest Games Walkthrough
- Type: Evergreen, seasonal spikes
- Works for: YouTube videos, Shorts
- Good for: Gamers, gaming content creators
Game walkthroughs always lead trending topics on YouTube. But you need to jump fast on fresh releases like Arc Raiders.
As you can see, Vidiq shows the search volume hit a perfect 100 with lower-high competition. That means there’s huge demand, and new creators can still get views before it gets too crowded.
And the 0/4 for Added Last 7 Days means none of the top videos were uploaded recently. That’s a good sign. The algorithm hasn’t locked onto any winners yet.
You still have a chance to grab your spot in search results before the big channels flood in.
The same thing happens with Marvel Rivals. While the game was released 11 months ago, the data shows the exact trend as Arc Raiders, making it one of the most searched topics on YouTube still.
Even 11 months after its launch, it remains one of YouTube’s most searched gaming topics with sustained high demand. Always pay attention to the gaming trends like this as a gaming creator.
2. Mini Vlogs
- Type: Evergreen, seasonal spikes
- Works for: YouTube videos, Shorts
- Good for: Relatable storytellers, lifestyle sharers, student creators
YouTube’s algorithm shift drives mini vlog success. It prefers real, low-edit viral content trends now. So, creators with just 4-10 videos are blowing off because of these algorithm signals.
So, what is mini vlogs? They’re short lifestyle videos that capture everyday moments. Think morning routines, coffee runs, or study sessions as YouTube Shorts.
These are micro-documentaries of real life with minimal editing. Their power comes from relatability over polished looks. And that’s what makes them YouTube trending topics.
And many top content creators use mini vlogs strategically. Shorts are used to attract attention and drive traffic, while 15-minute videos are used to convert viewers into loyal subscribers.
3. Mukbang
- Type: Viral, long & short
- Works for: YouTube videos, Shorts
- Good for: Bold personalities, food lovers
42 million views from a single YouTube Short while eating spicy food? That’s right. Mukbang is taking over YouTube trending topics this year.
And many creators jump on it because people love watching videos of eating spicy Korean fire noodles, tteokbokki, and huge seafood feasts.
Also, numbers prove it. Mukbang is one of the most searched topics on YouTube, with top videos reaching 113 million views. You can get up to 2.8 million views in just a month with this content.
What hooks viewers is the fixed-angle close-up. It’s like a one-sided meal where it feels like you’re eating together.
Tanboy Kun with 20.5 million subscribers and GONGSAM TABLE with 15 million followers are the ones to follow if you want to learn how to make great content.
Related: How to Get More Views on YouTube
4. Food Challenges
- Type: Viral short-form
- Works for: Shorts (best), YouTube videos
- Good for: Challenge-driven creators, friends/collabs
Food challenges and mukbang both sit in the food niche. And both remain trending keywords on YouTube as of late 2025.
Mukbang is all about that intimate eating vibe, while food challenges are more about the competition.
As a creator, you’re racing against time. Like ZermattNeo eating 20 Neapolitan pizzas in 90 minutes or Randy Santel finishing 6.5 pounds of German Pork Schnitzel in 30 minutes.
The struggle hooks viewers instantly for maximum audience retention.
Challenges start explains rules with a catchy hook. The middle shows the strategy and struggle. The ending gives that satisfying win or fail.
5. Easy Recipe
- Type: Evergreen, time-saving
- Works for: Shorts (single recipe), YouTube videos
- Good for: Budget-minded cooks, snack innovators
Easy recipes, especially 30-second ones, are popular because people keep searching for them.
Videos like a “3-ingredient chocolate mug cake” or a “5-minute study snack”? Yes, they solve real problems, and that’s why content like this becomes the trending topics on YouTube.
The trick is showing the finished product in the first 3 seconds. Payoff first, then show quick clips of each step or ingredient.
It works because viewers decide fast if they want to keep watching, and seeing the final result right away answers the question, “Is this worth my time?”
You can check out the Circle of Food channel. They got up to 25 million views on a “Quick and Easy Breakfast Eggs Sandwich” in just 6 months. Wow!
6. Couple Pranks
- Type: Cyclical viral
- Works for: Shorts (punchline), YouTube videos (multi-prank collections)
- Good for: Couples, comedic duos, outgoing friends
Couples pranks are awesome because they keep going viral over and over. You can make new videos, and people will keep watching to see who pranks whom next.
The “reveal and reaction” style grabs attention fast. Plus, it’s fun because it mixes some romantic humor with real surprises.
VidIQ score around 56 shows it’s not mukbang-level trending. But viewership potential stays promising as it’s one of the most searched topics on YouTube.
Swap phone backgrounds, fake lost rings, or do a FaceTime with another guy that has gotten over 46 million views? There are tons of ideas to hit 2.3K views an hour with great content.
7. Oddly Satisfying
- Type: Visual ASMR, rewatchable
- Works for: Shorts
- Good for: Detail-oriented, visually creative, artistic or crafty personalities
It started on Reddit in 2013 with the /r/oddlysatisfying subreddit. Now, it’s one of the trending topics on YouTube with more creators trying to come up with their own ideas in this visual ASMR niche.
Soap cutting, slime-making, or organizing chaos into order? They’re trending because people can’t stop looping those 60-second vertical seamless videos.
The engagement? Off the charts. Satisfying content hits 70%+ retention rates because viewers genuinely want to watch the full visual, no matter how many times they rewatch.
No talking needed, which makes it perfect for faceless content. Just focus on smooth transitions, good lighting, clean shots, and layer in trending audio with a smart hashtag strategy.
8. Dance Challenges
- Type: Trend-driven
- Works for: Shorts
- Good for: Dancers, rhythm lovers, those who like being part of viral trends
Dance challenges tap into FOMO like nothing else. You see what’s trending on YouTube Shorts, add your own twist, and suddenly you’re riding that viral wave.
Human or Robot? Sleep Paralysis dance? Tall TikTok dance? or the latest Shake it to the Max?
This style went from TikTok straight to taking over YouTube Shorts. It creates those moments where one catchy dance blows up everywhere at once.
They’re participatory, which is why it quickly turns into trending content on YouTube.
People don’t just watch. They jump in, film their versions, and keep the engagement cycle spinning with 60-second vertical seamless loops.
Related: YouTube Alternatives for Content Creators
9. Sports Challenges
- Type: Evergreen, high energy
- Works for: Shorts (Quick attempts), YouTube videos (longer challenges)
- Good for: Active personalities, group performers
Sports challenges are also trending content for YouTube, especially YouTube Shorts. And these trends face less competition than big niches like mukbang or mini vlogs.
Yes, it’s not the most searched topic on YouTube. But for new creators, that can be an advantage. Less competition means a better chance to stand out.
And if you want to jump, just focus on quick challenges like cup races, multi-ball contests, rapid-fire games.
You can look at creators like Jesser. His over-the-house football challenge nearly reached 200 million views.
Even with lower search volume, a single viral video can make a big impact on this trending topic.
10. Trick Shots
- Type: Classic short-form
- Works for: Shorts (best), YouTube videos (montage)
- Good for: Experimental creators, sports fans
Trick shots are all about doing the almost impossible, which is why this YouTube trend gets so much search traffic, even with high competition too.
When you get it right, your videos can hit over 723 million views.
Trick shots are different from sports challenges. They’re for entertainment, creators doing crazy stunts, or sports fans who love impossible feats.
And unlike quick sports challenges about speed and repetition, trick shots are about patience, precision.
We’re talking about elaborate setups like bouncing a ping pong ball over a book, across a table, down the stairs, and right into a cup on the floor.
This kind of content is perfect for YouTube Shorts, where that wow moment keeps people hooked during the quick, smooth clips.
11. DIY Projects
- Type: Evergreen
- Works for: Shorts, YouTube videos
- Good for: Makers, hands-on creators
Ever thought about building your own Lamborghini? NDWoodArts made a cool wooden one and filmed the process for YouTube Shorts, earning 113 million views in 9 months. Wow!
DIY projects are trending topics on YouTube right now. Creators use wood, iron, and common materials to show craftsmanship.
So, why are DIY projects becoming trending content for YouTube? These videos feel satisfying as they show skilled hands transforming materials, great techniques, and satisfying tool sounds.
They are short, 60 seconds, and loop to encourage rewatching. It’s perfect for faceless content focusing just on the hands and materials, with smooth close-ups that let the work speak.
12. Life Hacks
- Type: Perennial, viral waves
- Works for: Shorts, YouTube videos
- Good for: Clever problem solvers, student creators, everyone who loves sharing useful tips
Why do life hacks become one of the trending topics on YouTube? It’s simple: everyone’s looking for them, and people have different ways of solving the same problems.
And when Khaby Lame blew up reacting to overcomplicated hacks on TikTok (and YouTube) and became a top influencer, it locked this trend in through 2025.
Life hacks are not full DIY builds but lightning-fast fixes using household items, like organizing cables with toilet paper rolls, cleaning shortcuts, or kitchen prep tricks that save time and money.
The format hits what everyone wants, those “aha” moments. It keeps people hooked as they watch endless 60-second vertical loops to catch every clever move.
13. Transitions
- Type: Editing showcase
- Works for: Shorts ONLY
- Good for: Creators passionate about aesthetics, fashion, travel, editing tricks
Most trending YouTube topics work for both long and short videos, but transition content is really all about Shorts.
That’s where creators use cool editing tricks to make quick, smooth cuts that teleport viewers from scene to scene in seconds.
And creators like Nikolai Savic have nailed those buttery smooth transitions with the famous back sound “Let Him Cook.”
A quick camera spin takes you to a different city, or a wave of the hand instantly changes places, all through creative editing that hooks audience retention from frame one.
With “just” 1.2 million subscribers, his video “The New Chef Cook” can hit up to 187 million views in a year.
14. Before After
- Type: Bite-sized Educational
- Works for: YouTube videos, Shorts
- Good for: Creators passionate to answer curiosity
Before-and-after videos aren’t new. They’re everywhere. But that doesn’t mean they’re not one of the trending topics on YouTube anymore.
In fact, many of these videos still get millions of views even after they’re posted. How far can they go? Minecraft VFX Before-After has even hit 197 million views on YouTube Shorts.
Why does it get such high viewership? It’s all about curiosity. Our brains are wired to spot big changes, and we just can’t help wanting to know how something went from one thing to another.
And this idea works for almost everything: makeup glow-ups, home upgrades, room makeovers, cleaning messes turned spotless, and fitness progress.
Before-and-after content is trending on YouTube in 2025 because it fits how people watch short videos. Creators have found that showing the “after” first, then the “before,” grabs attention quickly.
15. Expectation vs Reality
- Type: Shareable, relatable
- Works for: Shorts for punchline; YouTube videos for travelogues
- Good for: Travel vloggers, Fashion influencers
Expectation vs. reality takes the before-and-after format with a funny twist. It dominates YouTube trending topics in travel vlogs, online shopping hauls, and recipe fails.
You, as the content creator, show the hyped-up promise crashing into actual chaos. It’s one of the most relatable trends out there, especially among travel vloggers.
Think about the beautiful beach is packed with tourists, the “luxury” hotel room is tiny and old, the Instagram-worthy restaurant has average food, or the scenic spot needs a hike through crowds.
And what makes expectation vs. reality the most searched topic on YouTube is its authenticity and shareability.
People like creators who show the truth behind the curated facade of travel content, creating trust and relatability that polished content can’t achieve.
16. Motivational
- Type: Evergreen
- Works for: Shorts (best), YouTube videos
- Good for: AI video creators, positive personalities, clippers
“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows…” Yes, even 20 years after the Rocky Balboa movie, that line still hits different.
And quotes from famous people like Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali, and Steve Jobs keep making viral content on YouTube.
People love hearing motivational words from those who’ve been through it. That’s what makes this type of content still become trending content for YouTube, even in late 2025.
You read that right. Demand stays high, with the top motivational video reaching 88 million views. It shows how much people look for inspiration from figures who’ve faced real struggles.
Why Knowing YouTube Trending Topics Matters
You know some of the top trending topics on YouTube. But as a content creator, why does this actually matter?
1. You Can’t Depend on Random Ideas for Consistent Views
When you make content just based on random ideas or whatever feels interesting at the moment, you’re gambling with the algorithm.
Some videos might randomly do well, but most will just sit there with very few views because you’re not tapping into what people are actually searching for or interested in.
When you see “motivational” has a high search volume with 88 million views on top videos, or that Arc Raiders scored a perfect 100, you’re not guessing if people want this content.
2. You Get Noticed by the YouTube Algorithm More Quickly
YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes viewer satisfaction through engagement metrics like watch time, retention, and interaction.
And the algorithm shows content that matches current search behavior. Right now, over 200 billion Shorts are watched daily. But most of that traffic flows to creators riding trends.
YouTube typically avoids promoting unknown creators without proof of quality, but trending topics create urgency. When demand spikes, YouTube is more likely to test content from smaller creators.
Related: Best Time to Post on YouTube
3. You Stop Feeling Stuck and Always Have a Content Bank
Honestly, everyone hits creative block sometimes. But your viewers don’t want to wait around for you to get inspired.
So, instead of stressing over “What should I make today?” just check out viral trends and use formats people are already searching for.
The cool thing about trending topics on YouTube is that you don’t have to be totally “original.” Just put your own spin or voice on formats people already love.
4. You Build Momentum Rather Than Posting Into the Void
If a Short gets 100K views, the algorithm sees it’s popular and helps boost your next Short.
Jumping on trending topics gives you a better shot at early wins. Like when Arc Raiders walkthroughs are popular but not crowded, your video can take off.
The algorithm gets proof you satisfy audience retention. So your next Short, like a Marvel Rivals guide, gets tested with larger audiences.
5. You Learn What Actually Works for Your Audience
You find out what works for your audience by checking out trending content on YouTube. It’s like reverse-engineering success.
Instead of starting with your ideas and hoping people like it, you begin with what’s already proven to work with your audience and then work backwards to create your content.
Related: How to Make Money on YouTube
Trending Content for YouTube: A Wrap Up
From mukbangs and food challenges to new game walkthroughs and awesome transitions, these trending topics on YouTube are your shortcut to reach more views.
When you target what millions search for, the algorithm boosts your reach. And the jump from 100 to 50,000 views isn’t luck; it’s strategy, and you start to get the bigger picture now.
Once you get more views, think about better monetization options. But, don’t rely on YouTube ads.
Platforms like Gank let you earn through donations, commissions, and merch sales.
