Discovering Trending Channels A Guide For New Content Creators
As a new content creator, understanding what channels are thriving and why is crucial for your own success. It's not just about blindly copying trends, but rather, analyzing the landscape, identifying gaps, and learning from established creators. The question of "is there a site/app that you can visit to see what channels are doing well?" is a common one, and fortunately, the answer is a resounding yes! There are several platforms and strategies you can employ to gain valuable insights into the world of online content creation. This article delves into the various methods and resources available, helping you navigate the digital ecosystem and find your niche.
Utilizing Social Media Analytics Platforms
Several social media analytics platforms can provide valuable insights into trending channels and content. These platforms go beyond simple follower counts and views, offering detailed data on engagement rates, audience demographics, and content performance. By leveraging these tools, you can gain a deeper understanding of what resonates with viewers and identify potential opportunities for your own channel. One of the most popular and widely used platforms is Social Blade. Social Blade offers a comprehensive database of YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media channels. It allows you to track channel statistics, view historical data, and compare channels against each other. You can search for channels by keyword, category, or platform, and see metrics like subscriber growth, view count, and engagement rate. This data can help you identify channels that are experiencing rapid growth and understand what types of content they are producing.
Another helpful platform is NoxInfluencer, which specializes in influencer marketing and provides detailed analytics on YouTube channels. It offers data on audience demographics, estimated earnings, and brand collaborations. You can use NoxInfluencer to find potential collaborators, analyze competitor channels, and identify trending topics within your niche. SimilarWeb is a versatile tool that provides insights into website traffic and online engagement. While it's not specifically designed for social media channels, it can be used to analyze the overall online presence of a creator or brand. You can see how much traffic a channel's website or social media pages are receiving, where that traffic is coming from, and what keywords people are using to find them. This information can be helpful for understanding the overall reach and influence of a channel.
These social media analytics platforms can seem overwhelming at first, but they offer a wealth of information for new content creators. By exploring these platforms and familiarizing yourself with their features, you can gain a significant advantage in understanding the online landscape and developing a successful content strategy. Remember to focus on analyzing the data, identifying trends, and adapting your own approach based on what you learn. The key is to use these tools as a guide, not as a rulebook, and to always prioritize creating authentic and engaging content that resonates with your target audience.
Exploring YouTube's Trending Tab and Category Pages
YouTube itself offers several resources for discovering what types of channels and content are performing well. The Trending tab is a great place to start, as it showcases the most popular videos on the platform at any given time. While the Trending tab is often dominated by mainstream content, it can still provide valuable insights into current trends and viewer preferences. By regularly checking the Trending tab, you can get a sense of what topics are capturing attention and what types of videos are going viral. This can help you identify potential areas for your own content, but it's important to remember that simply copying trends is unlikely to lead to long-term success. Instead, focus on finding your own unique angle on popular topics or identifying emerging trends that haven't yet reached the mainstream.
Beyond the Trending tab, YouTube's category pages offer a more focused way to explore specific niches. YouTube categorizes videos into various genres, such as gaming, music, education, and vlogging. By browsing these categories, you can see what channels are popular within your chosen niche and what types of content they are producing. Pay attention to the channels that consistently appear at the top of the category pages, as they are likely doing something right. Analyze their videos, their channel branding, and their engagement with their audience to understand their success factors. You can also use YouTube's search filters to refine your search and find channels that meet specific criteria. For example, you can filter by upload date, view count, or rating to identify channels that are experiencing rapid growth or producing high-quality content. This can be a useful way to discover hidden gems and up-and-coming creators within your niche. Remember to focus on learning from successful channels, not simply imitating them. Identify the elements that resonate with you and your audience, and incorporate them into your own unique content style.
Leveraging Third-Party Video Trend Analysis Tools
In addition to social media analytics platforms and YouTube's own features, several third-party video trend analysis tools can help you identify trending channels and content. These tools often offer specialized features and insights that go beyond what's available on standard platforms. One popular tool is Google Trends, which allows you to track the popularity of search terms over time. While it's not specifically designed for YouTube channels, Google Trends can be used to identify trending topics and keywords that are relevant to your niche. By analyzing search trends, you can get a sense of what people are interested in and create content that aligns with those interests. This can help you attract more viewers and increase your channel's visibility.
Another useful tool is VidIQ, which is a Chrome extension that provides detailed analytics on YouTube videos and channels. VidIQ offers a range of features, including keyword research, competitor analysis, and video optimization tools. You can use VidIQ to see how your videos are performing compared to others in your niche, identify relevant keywords to target, and optimize your video titles and descriptions for search. TubeBuddy is another popular Chrome extension that offers similar features to VidIQ. It provides a suite of tools for channel management, video optimization, and audience engagement. TubeBuddy can help you automate tasks, such as thumbnail creation and video scheduling, and provides insights into your channel's performance. Both VidIQ and TubeBuddy offer free and paid versions, with the paid versions providing access to more advanced features and data.
These third-party video trend analysis tools can be a valuable asset for new content creators. By leveraging their features, you can gain a deeper understanding of the YouTube algorithm, identify trends, and optimize your content for success. However, it's important to remember that these tools are just one piece of the puzzle. The most important factor in building a successful channel is creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience. Use these tools as a guide, but always prioritize your own creativity and vision.
Analyzing Competitor Channels and Content
One of the most effective ways to learn what channels are doing well is to analyze your competitors. Identify channels in your niche that are experiencing success and take a close look at their content, their branding, and their engagement strategies. This doesn't mean copying their ideas, but rather, understanding what works and adapting those strategies to your own unique style. Start by identifying your direct competitors, which are channels that target the same audience and create similar content to yours. Look for channels that have a large subscriber base, high view counts, and a consistent upload schedule. Once you've identified your competitors, analyze their videos in detail. Pay attention to the topics they cover, the format they use, and the production quality of their videos. Also, look at their video titles, descriptions, and tags to understand how they are optimizing their content for search.
In addition to analyzing their videos, examine their channel branding. How do they present themselves visually? What is their channel art like? What is their channel trailer like? A consistent and professional brand can make a big difference in attracting and retaining viewers. Also, consider how they engage with their audience. Do they respond to comments? Do they run contests or giveaways? Do they collaborate with other creators? Building a strong community around your channel is crucial for long-term success. Competitor analysis can be time-consuming, but it's a worthwhile investment for new content creators. By understanding what works for others in your niche, you can develop a more effective content strategy and avoid making common mistakes. Remember to focus on learning from your competitors, not simply imitating them. Find your own unique voice and style, and create content that is authentic and engaging.
Engaging with Online Communities and Forums
Beyond analytics platforms and competitor analysis, engaging with online communities and forums related to content creation can provide valuable insights into trending channels and best practices. These communities often serve as hubs for creators to share tips, ask questions, and discuss the latest trends in the industry. By actively participating in these forums, you can learn from experienced creators, get feedback on your own content, and discover new channels that are worth watching. Reddit is a popular platform for online communities, with several subreddits dedicated to content creation, such as r/NewTubers, r/YouTubeCreators, and r/Twitch. These subreddits are great places to ask questions, share your work, and connect with other creators. You can also find discussions about trending channels, video editing techniques, and monetization strategies. Discord is another platform that hosts a variety of communities related to content creation. Many popular YouTubers and Twitch streamers have their own Discord servers where fans and creators can interact. Joining these servers can give you access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and direct interaction with your favorite creators. You can also find Discord servers dedicated to specific niches, such as gaming, music, or art.
In addition to Reddit and Discord, several online forums cater to content creators, such as the YouTube Creator Community forum and the Twitch forums. These forums are moderated by platform staff and experienced creators, and they offer a wealth of information on best practices, platform updates, and troubleshooting tips. Actively participating in online communities and forums can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in content creation. It's also a great way to build relationships with other creators and get feedback on your work. Remember to be respectful and helpful in your interactions, and to always focus on providing value to the community. The key is to be an active and engaged member, not just a passive observer. By contributing to the conversation and sharing your own experiences, you can build a strong network of support and learn from others in the industry.
By utilizing these resources and strategies, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of what channels are thriving and develop a content strategy that sets you up for success. Remember, the key is to be proactive, analytical, and adaptable. The online landscape is constantly evolving, so staying informed and being willing to experiment are essential for long-term growth. So, dive in, explore, and start creating content that you're passionate about!
