YouTube has announced that it will remove its Trending tab and the "Trending Now" list around July 21, 2025, ending a feature that has been part of the platform since 2015. In place of this one-size-fits-all list, YouTube will introduce YouTube Charts, which show the most popular content organized by category, such as music videos, top podcasts, and movie trailers. Over time, YouTube plans to add even more categories, while trending gaming videos will still be found through the dedicated Gaming Explore page.
The reason behind this shift is a change in how people find and watch content on YouTube today. Five years ago, viewers largely relied on the Trending tab to see what videos were going viral. Now, they discover content through Shorts, personalized recommendations, search results, community posts, and even external social platforms like TikTok. As YouTube explained, "Back when we first launched the Trending page in 2015, the answer to 'what's trending' was a lot simpler..." but now trends are shaped by many different communities and fandoms, making a single trending list less meaningful.
Viewership of the Trending page has dropped significantly over the past few years, reflecting users shifting habits. YouTube says that fewer people visit the Trending tab now, opting instead for more personalized and niche ways to discover content. In response, the company is moving to a category-focused model that better reflects these micro-trends and niche interests. This makes it easier for users to find content they genuinely care about. Whether it's the latest music hit or a popular podcast, without sifting through a general viral list.
For creators, this change has important implications. The old Trending page often favored big studios and well-funded media channels, which made it hard for smaller creators to compete. With YouTube Charts, creators now have a chance to stand out in their own category, raising their visibility within specific niches like gaming or beauty. To assist with this, YouTube is also enhancing tools like the Inspiration Tab in YouTube Studio, which suggests content ideas using AI, and the Hype feature, which allows viewers to boost emerging videos on a leaderboard. Rising artists will also get attention through dedicated showcases on the Music Explore pages.
From an academic perspective, this update offers excellent material for classroom discussion. Media students can explore how digital platforms adapt to changing consumer behavior, while marketing coursework can analyze how discoverability and algorithm-driven exposure are evolving. Content creation classes might investigate the balance between personalized recommendations and broad, viral reach. Lecturers may also frame questions like: Is it better to see content tailored to your interests, or do we lose something when there isn't a shared viral space anymore?
Overall, YouTube's decision reflects a larger trend in digital media, a move away from universal discovery toward personalized, category-based experiences. By removing the Trending tab and shifting its focus to YouTube Charts and recommendations, YouTube is acknowledging the fragmented nature of today's audience. Instead of one viral video list, users now explore curated charts that align with their tastes. This change spans viewers, creators, and educators, offering fresh insights into how platforms evolve in response to audience habits and technological shifts. It marks the end of an era while opening the door to more meaningful, niche engagement an ideal topic for student projects and classroom debate.
