YouTube Removes Trending Page Globally — What Comes After?

YouTube has officially announced it is discontinuing its long-standing Trending Page, a feature that was introduced in 2015 to showcase viral and popular content globally. The platform is shifting towards more personalized discovery methods and category-based browsing in response to evolving user behavior.

Why YouTube Is Shutting Down the Trending Page

The Trending Page was initially created as a universal snapshot of what's popular on the platform. From music videos and movie trailers to viral moments, the page aimed to give users a curated, non-personalized look at global content trends.

However, over the years, user habits have shifted dramatically. According to YouTube’s official statement, more viewers now discover trending videos through other tools like recommendation algorithms, search suggestions, YouTube Shorts, community posts, and comments.

As a result, YouTube has seen a significant decline in traffic to the Trending section, especially over the past five years. This diminishing relevance has prompted the company to sunset the feature.

YouTube Charts: The New Home for Trending Content

With the removal of the Trending Page, YouTube is now highlighting YouTube Charts as the new destination for discovering what's trending — but in a more organized and category-driven format.

Under YouTube Charts, users will now be able to browse:

• Trending music videos

• Top podcast episodes

• Popular movie trailers

• Gaming content via the dedicated Gaming Explore page

This new layout ensures that users interested in specific types of content can directly explore what's trending within those categories, rather than viewing a generic feed.

Personalized Recommendations to Play a Bigger Role

YouTube is also doubling down on personalized content discovery. The platform will continue to refine how it suggests videos through home page recommendations, Shorts, and in-video suggestions based on user behavior.

However, for users who prefer to opt out of personalization, YouTube offers an Explore tab on creator channels, which lets users discover content without algorithm-driven suggestions.

New Tools and Features for Creators

The end of the Trending Page doesn’t mean a downgrade in visibility for content creators. In fact, YouTube is introducing new tools to help creators stay connected with what audiences love.

• Inspiration Tab in YouTube Studio: This feature will provide creators with real-time insights and suggestions based on trending content related to their niche. It aims to help creators plan relevant and engaging video ideas.

• Hype Feature: YouTube is testing a new "Hype" button or feature that allows viewers to promote and highlight newly published content they find exciting. This gives creators a better shot at gaining momentum early in a video’s life cycle.

These features are designed to offer better visibility and data-driven inspiration for creators, helping them grow their audience even without the support of the Trending Page.

The Evolution of Discoverability on YouTube

The decision to retire the Trending Page reflects a broader trend in how people consume content online. Instead of relying on a single feed, users are now navigating the platform through multiple entry points like Shorts, subscriptions, and targeted suggestions.

YouTube's focus has clearly shifted to enhancing user experience through tailored discovery and specialized content hubs, which promise better engagement and more relevant results for each viewer.

Conclusion

As YouTube evolves, the removal of the Trending Page marks a significant shift in how the platform wants users to discover new and popular content. While the nostalgic, non-personalized feed is going away, users can look forward to a more tailored, category-rich experience. For creators, YouTube's new tools aim to make it easier to stay relevant and connect with their audiences in smarter ways.