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Trend Data Sources

Overview

This document catalogs the primary data sources for discovering and validating trends through the Internet Pipes methodology. Each source provides different insights, and cross-referencing multiple sources increases confidence in trend identification.

Search Engines

Google Trends

URL: https://trends.google.com

What it provides:

  • Search volume over time (relative, not absolute)
  • Geographic distribution of interest
  • Related queries (rising and top)
  • Related topics
  • Comparison of multiple trends
  • Breakout trends (>5000% growth)

Best for:

  • Validating sustained interest over time
  • Identifying seasonal patterns
  • Geographic trend analysis
  • Discovering related searches
  • Comparing multiple trends head-to-head

How to use:

  • Search for specific keywords or topics
  • Set time range (past hour, day, month, year, 5 years, custom)
  • Filter by geography, category, search type
  • Look for "Rising" queries (most important for trend discovery)
  • Check "Interest over time" for trajectory
  • Export data for further analysis

Limitations:

  • Relative data, not absolute search numbers
  • Requires sufficient search volume
  • Can't distinguish between positive/negative interest
  • US-focused by default (adjust geography)

Pro tips:

  • Use "Compare" feature to validate one trend vs. another
  • Check both broad and specific keywords
  • Look at related queries for niche opportunities
  • Use category filters to reduce noise
  • Check "Breakout" designation for emerging trends

Google Autocomplete & Related Searches

What it provides:

  • Real-time query suggestions
  • "People also ask" questions
  • Related searches at bottom of results page

Best for:

  • Discovering what questions people are asking
  • Finding related topics and niches
  • Understanding search intent
  • Content gap identification

How to use:

  • Start typing a query, observe autocomplete suggestions
  • Search and scroll to "People also ask"
  • Scroll to bottom for "Related searches"
  • Try different seed keywords
  • Use incognito mode for unbiased results

Pro tips:

  • Autocomplete reveals actual queries people type
  • Questions indicate information gaps
  • Related searches show semantic relationships
  • Compare autocomplete across different seed keywords

Social Media Platforms

TikTok

Best for:

  • Early signal detection (often trends here first)
  • Understanding how trends spread visually
  • Demographic insights (skews younger)
  • Content format ideas

What to monitor:

  • Hashtag view counts (#trend → 100M views)
  • Sound/audio usage (songs, audio memes)
  • Creator adoption rate (how many making content)
  • Comment themes (what people are saying)
  • Engagement rates relative to followers

How to use:

  • Search hashtags and track view counts over time
  • Browse "For You" page for emerging content types
  • Check trending sounds in video creation
  • Analyze comments for audience sentiment
  • Look for creator challenges and duets

Trend indicators:

  • ✅ Hashtag views growing rapidly
  • ✅ Multiple creators adopting independently
  • ✅ Crossing to different creator niches
  • ✅ Comments asking "where to buy" or "how to do"
  • ✅ Mainstream brands starting to participate

Instagram

Best for:

  • Visual trends (fashion, beauty, lifestyle, food)
  • Influencer adoption tracking
  • Aesthetic movements
  • Product discovery

What to monitor:

  • Hashtag post counts
  • Trending audio in Reels
  • Save ratios (high saves = high interest)
  • Stories poll results and question responses
  • Collaborative posts and tags

How to use:

  • Search hashtags, note post counts and recency
  • Check "Top" vs "Recent" to see what's gaining traction
  • Monitor influencer content in relevant niches
  • Track brands entering the trend space
  • Observe aesthetic patterns and style shifts

Trend indicators:

  • ✅ Hashtag growing in post count
  • ✅ Influencers organically posting (not sponsored)
  • ✅ High engagement relative to follower count
  • ✅ Cross-posting from TikTok (trend maturing)
  • ✅ Multiple brands adopting

Reddit

Best for:

  • Deep community insights
  • Product recommendations and reviews
  • Niche trend discovery
  • Authentic conversations

What to monitor:

  • Subreddit subscriber growth
  • Post upvotes and comment counts
  • Recurring themes in top posts
  • Questions being asked repeatedly
  • Community wiki and FAQs (what's established)

Key subreddits for trend discovery:

  • r/InternetIsBeautiful (new tools/sites)
  • r/shutupandtakemymoney (products people want)
  • r/BuyItForLife (quality/durability trends)
  • r/DidntKnowIWantedThat (discovery)
  • Category-specific subreddits (r/fitness, r/skincareaddiction, etc.)

How to use:

  • Sort by "Top" → "This Month" to find rising topics
  • Search keywords, sort by recent and engagement
  • Read comments for nuanced opinions
  • Check multiple related subreddits
  • Monitor crossposting between communities

Trend indicators:

  • ✅ Topic appearing in multiple subreddits
  • ✅ High engagement relative to subreddit size
  • ✅ New subreddits forming around topic
  • ✅ Repeated questions about where to find/buy
  • ✅ Community creating resources (wikis, guides)

Twitter/X

Best for:

  • Real-time trend detection
  • News-driven trends
  • Thought leader opinions
  • B2B and tech trends

What to monitor:

  • Trending hashtags and topics
  • Tweet volume around keywords
  • Influencer/expert discussions
  • Quote tweet ratios (indicates strong opinions)
  • Bookmark counts (indicates utility)

How to use:

  • Check "Trending" section daily
  • Use Advanced Search for keyword monitoring
  • Follow industry thought leaders
  • Monitor branded hashtags
  • Track lists of relevant accounts

Trend indicators:

  • ✅ Organic trending (not sponsored)
  • ✅ Sustained conversation over days
  • ✅ Multiple industries discussing
  • ✅ Media outlets covering
  • ✅ Brands responding

YouTube

Best for:

  • Tutorial content demand
  • Long-form content trends
  • Educational interest
  • Product reviews and unboxings

What to monitor:

  • Video view counts relative to channel size
  • Upload frequency on topic
  • Comment sentiment and questions
  • Views-per-day rate (velocity)
  • Thumbnail/title patterns

How to use:

  • Search topic, filter by upload date
  • Sort by view count or relevance
  • Check "Related videos" sidebar
  • Read top comments for questions/sentiment
  • Monitor specific channels in your niche

Trend indicators:

  • ✅ New channels forming around topic
  • ✅ Established creators adopting topic
  • ✅ High views relative to channel subscribers
  • ✅ Comments indicating intent to try/buy
  • ✅ Multiple video formats (tutorials, reviews, vlogs)

Pinterest

Best for:

  • Visual search trends
  • Planning-phase interests (weddings, home, recipes)
  • Craft and DIY trends
  • Seasonal trend forecasting

What to monitor:

  • "Popular" and "Trending" sections
  • Save counts on pins
  • Board creation around topics
  • Search volume indicators
  • Emerging categories

How to use:

  • Check Pinterest Trends tool (if available)
  • Search keywords, note results count
  • Look at "Related searches"
  • Monitor boards being created
  • Track pin saves over time

Trend indicators:

  • ✅ High save rates
  • ✅ Multiple distinct pin styles on same topic
  • ✅ Appears in "Trending" section
  • ✅ Related searches expanding
  • ✅ Commercial pins from brands appearing

E-Commerce Platforms

Amazon

Best Sellers & Movers and Shakers URL: amazon.com/gp/bestsellers

What it provides:

  • Best Sellers (current top-selling items)
  • Movers & Shakers (biggest gainers in sales rank, last 24 hours)
  • Hot New Releases
  • Category rankings

Best for:

  • Commercial validation (people actually buying)
  • Discovering new products gaining traction
  • Price point analysis
  • Category trends

How to use:

  • Check "Movers & Shakers" daily for trending products
  • Browse category-specific best sellers
  • Note products with low review counts but high rank (new and trending)
  • Read reviews for customer insights and pain points
  • Track BSR (Best Sellers Rank) over time

Trend indicators:

  • ✅ Product climbing in Movers & Shakers
  • ✅ Multiple similar products in same category
  • ✅ New brands entering established categories
  • ✅ High rating + growing review count
  • ✅ Frequent "out of stock" status

Etsy Trending

What it provides:

  • Handmade and custom product trends
  • Niche and artisan movements
  • Gift and occasion trends

Best for:

  • Early craft/DIY trends
  • Personalization trends
  • Niche aesthetic movements
  • Gift trends

How to use:

  • Browse trending searches
  • Check categories for volume growth
  • Monitor "Bestseller" and "Popular now" badges
  • Read shop announcements (sellers share trends)
  • Track favorites and reviews

Shopify Exchange/Flippa

Best for:

  • Seeing what types of stores are being built/sold
  • Revenue data for trend validation
  • Niche saturation indicators

Content Platforms

Medium

Best for:

  • Written content trends
  • Thought leadership topics
  • Deep-dive interest areas

What to monitor:

  • Top stories in categories
  • Tag following counts
  • Clap counts and read ratios
  • Publication topic focus

Substack

Best for:

  • Newsletter topic trends
  • Subscription business ideas
  • Niche community interests

What to monitor:

  • Top publications
  • Growing publications
  • Topic categories
  • Subscriber counts (when public)

News & Media

Google News

Best for:

  • Mainstream trend validation
  • Understanding media narratives
  • B2B trends

How to use:

  • Search for keywords, filter by date
  • Set up Google Alerts for trend tracking
  • Monitor "Top Stories" for trends hitting mainstream

Industry Publications

Examples:

  • Tech: TechCrunch, The Verge, Hacker News
  • Fashion: Vogue, WWD
  • Food: Eater, Food & Wine
  • Wellness: Well+Good, Healthline

Best for:

  • Industry-specific trends
  • Expert perspectives
  • Deeper context

Communities & Forums

Discord Servers

Best for:

  • Real-time community conversations
  • Gaming, crypto, creator trends
  • Early adopter communities

Facebook Groups

Best for:

  • Older demographics (30+)
  • Parent communities
  • Local community trends
  • Buy/sell/trade activity

Quora

Best for:

  • Questions people are asking
  • Content gaps
  • Educational interests

Specialized Tools

Google Keyword Planner

What it provides:

  • Monthly search volume estimates
  • Keyword competition data
  • Related keywords

Best for:

  • SEO planning
  • Content topic validation
  • Search volume quantification

Limitations:

  • Requires Google Ads account
  • Estimates, not exact numbers
  • Primarily for paid search

Answer The Public

What it provides:

  • Question-based search queries
  • Preposition-based queries
  • Comparison queries

Best for:

  • Content ideation
  • Understanding search intent
  • Finding question-based opportunities

Exploding Topics

What it provides:

  • Curated list of growing trends
  • Search growth percentages
  • Trend discovery without manual research

Best for:

  • Quick trend scanning
  • Inspiration for deeper research
  • Validating your own findings

Limitations:

  • Paid tool
  • Less granular than doing your own research
  • May include trends others already know

Data Collection Best Practices

Multi-Source Validation

Always cross-reference at least 3 independent sources:

  • Search (Google Trends)
  • Social (TikTok OR Instagram OR Reddit)
  • Commerce (Amazon OR reviews OR sales data)

Temporal Validation

Don't rely on single-day snapshots:

  • Track trends over at least 4-8 weeks
  • Note weekly/monthly patterns
  • Compare year-over-year when possible

Geographic Considerations

Trends often start regionally:

  • Check US, UK, Australia separately
  • Note urban vs. rural patterns
  • Consider cultural context

Demographic Awareness

Different platforms represent different demographics:

  • TikTok: Gen Z, younger millennials
  • Instagram: Millennials, Gen Z
  • Facebook: Older millennials, Gen X, Boomers
  • Reddit: Male-skewing, tech-oriented
  • Pinterest: Female-skewing, planning mindset

Document Everything

Keep a trend tracking spreadsheet:

  • Trend name
  • First observed date
  • Data sources
  • Key metrics
  • Notes and observations
  • Follow-up dates

Source Credibility Assessment

High Credibility 🟢:

  • Multiple independent sources
  • Commercial activity (products being sold)
  • Sustained interest over time
  • Cross-demographic adoption

Medium Credibility 🟡:

  • 1-2 sources
  • Some commercial activity
  • Recent emergence (2-4 months)
  • Single-demographic focused

Low Credibility 🔴:

  • Single source
  • No commercial validation
  • Spike without sustained interest
  • Potentially manipulated metrics

Conclusion

Effective trend discovery requires:

  1. Breadth: Monitor multiple source types
  2. Depth: Go deep on promising signals
  3. Consistency: Check sources regularly
  4. Skepticism: Validate before believing
  5. Documentation: Track what you find

No single source tells the complete story. The magic happens when signals align across multiple independent sources - that's when you've found a real trend worth pursuing.

Happy trend hunting! 🔍