If you’ve been on the internet for more than five minutes, you’ve seen how fast things move. One moment everyone’s talking about an AI-generated Drake song, the next it’s some random clip of a cat riding a Roomba, and before you know it, the buzz shifts again. That’s the nature of trending topics—they catch fire quickly, dominate timelines, and then disappear as if they never existed.
So the question for content creators, bloggers, and even small businesses is: How do you tap into that energy without looking forced or outdated? Because let’s be honest—nothing feels worse than posting about a trend after it’s already stale.
This isn’t about “jumping on every bandwagon.” It’s about recognizing when a trending topic actually makes sense for your audience and then weaving it into your content in a way that feels natural. Let’s break this down.
First: Spotting the Right Trend
Not every viral moment is worth your time. Just because something is blowing up on X (formerly Twitter) doesn’t mean your brand or content should be part of it. Think about your audience first.
For example, if you run a food blog, and the trend of the week is some bizarre TikTok recipe like “pickles wrapped in fruit roll-ups dipped in Tajín”—you might actually have a reason to test it out and share your take. But if you’re running a finance newsletter, forcing that into your content might feel… off. Unless you connect it creatively, like “Why viral TikTok food hacks are basically like meme stocks—fun but not sustainable.” That’s when it works.
The key here: relevance plus timing. If it doesn’t tick both boxes, skip it.
Timing Is Everything
Trends have a short shelf life. Most burn out in days, some in hours. By the time a slow-moving brand approves the “hot take,” the internet has already moved on.
Creators and small businesses have an advantage here—you can move faster. See something buzzing in the morning? If it genuinely fits your audience, you can spin up a blog, a LinkedIn post, or even a short-form video the same day.
A good rule of thumb: if you’re planning to use a trending topic in a piece of long-form content (like a blog post), make sure it has legs. In other words, it should tie into a bigger conversation, not just a fleeting joke. For instance, “Barbenheimer” was a trend that lasted weeks because it represented more than two movies—it was about internet culture, memes, and even the state of cinema. That’s the kind of trend you can safely build deeper content around.
Adding Your Own Angle
Here’s where a lot of people mess up. They see a trending topic and basically just rehash it. That doesn’t add value—it just makes you look like you’re chasing clicks.
Instead, use the trend as a hook, but then bring your perspective.
Imagine you’re a productivity coach and everyone’s talking about the new iPhone launch. Instead of writing “10 things you need to know about the iPhone 15” (a thousand tech blogs already have that covered), you could write: “What Apple’s product launches teach us about creating habits that actually stick.” Same trend, but your unique angle.
People don’t come to you to repeat what’s already everywhere. They come to you for your voice, your context, your spin.
Balance Evergreen with Trending
One mistake is leaning too hard into trends. Yes, they’re exciting and they drive traffic, but that traffic can be short-lived. What happens after the trend fades?
That’s why it’s smart to combine the two:
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Use the trending topic as an entry point.
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Then connect it to something evergreen, something that’ll still matter a year from now.
Say the hot topic is a viral Netflix documentary. You could write a blog that reacts to it in real time—but also ties it to a larger point, like “The psychology of why true-crime stories hook us” or “What businesses can learn from Netflix’s storytelling strategy.” Even after the documentary fades from memory, your piece will still hold weight.
Don’t Force Humor or Relevance
This is a trap a lot of brands fall into. They see a trending meme and try to force themselves into the conversation, even when it doesn’t fit. Remember when every brand was trying to use the “Harlem Shake”? Yeah, not everyone needed to be there.
It’s the same today. If it feels unnatural, it probably is. The audience can smell when you’re trying too hard. It’s better to let a trend pass you by than to stretch yourself into something that doesn’t align.
Watch the Tone
Some trends are lighthearted, some are controversial, and some are sensitive. You don’t want to treat every trend the same way.
If the topic is serious—say, something around politics, global news, or social justice—you need to tread carefully. Jumping in without thought can backfire hard. Ask yourself: Does my audience expect me to comment on this? Do I have anything meaningful to add?
On the other side, if the trend is fun—like a viral dance or a quirky internet challenge—you can afford to be playful. Just keep it consistent with your voice. If you’re usually professional, you don’t suddenly have to turn into a meme page. There’s a way to be playful without being out of character.
Use Multiple Formats
Trending topics don’t have to stay confined to one medium. A single trend can spark:
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A quick Instagram Reel
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A thoughtful blog post
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A Twitter thread
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A podcast segment
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A newsletter intro
Think of it like recycling, but in a good way. Different people consume content in different places, and the trend gives you a natural bridge to experiment with multiple formats.
Keep It Conversational
People engage with trends because they feel like part of a shared moment. So when you write about them, don’t overcomplicate it. Keep the language natural, the tone conversational. Imagine you’re talking to a friend about it, not delivering a press release.
For example, instead of:
“Recently, there has been an increase in popularity regarding AI-generated artwork…”
You could say:
“Everyone’s suddenly obsessed with AI art tools. Feels like every time I open Instagram, there’s another neon-colored, vaguely creepy portrait.”
See the difference? One sounds human, the other sounds like a textbook.
Examples That Work
Let’s make this concrete with a few quick scenarios:
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Fitness coach + Olympic Games trend
Blog idea: “3 Lessons From Olympic Athletes You Can Apply to Your Daily Workouts.” -
Career blog + viral layoff news
Blog idea: “What the latest tech layoffs can teach us about career resilience.” -
Travel blog + trending airline chaos
Blog idea: “Why canceled flights are the least of your worries (and how to actually enjoy unexpected downtime).”
Notice how each one isn’t just about the trend itself—it uses the trend to deliver something useful and evergreen.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
You don’t always have to wait for something to blow up before you act. Sometimes you can see trends forming before they peak. Tools like Google Trends, Twitter/X trending tabs, and even Reddit discussions can give you a hint of what’s bubbling under the surface.
If you can catch a trend early and add your perspective, you’ll stand out instead of just blending in with the noise.
Wrapping It Up
Using a trending topic in your content isn’t about being everywhere at once. It’s about being strategic, picking the right moments, and adding your own voice. Done well, it can give your content a boost of relevance and connection. Done poorly, it can make you look like you’re just chasing clicks.
So the next time something blows up online, pause for a second. Ask:
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Does this fit my audience?
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Can I add a unique perspective?
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Will this piece still have some value once the trend dies down?
If the answers are yes, go for it. If not, let it pass and wait for the next one. Trust me, there’s always another trend around the corner.
