Staying trendy: how to use social media to stay up-to-date

Navigating the digital landscape can be daunting, but the right strategies can elevate one’s online presence. This article distills wisdom from industry mavens who have mastered the art of staying current using various social media platforms. With practical advice drawn from the pros, readers are equipped to harness the power of social media trends effectively.

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  • Stay Active in Online Communities
  • Use Sprout Social for Trends
  • Twitter as Real-Time News Source
  • Follow Top Dive Influencers
  • Reddit as Secret Weapon
  • Pinterest for Art and Design Trends
  • Instagram and TikTok for Home Trends
  • YouTube for In-Depth Trend Analysis
  • Track Trends on Multiple Platforms
  • Monitor Niche Subreddits for Trends
  • TikTok and Instagram for Travel Trends
  • TikTok’s For You Page for Trends
  • Use TikTok for Real-Time Trends
  • Follow Trend Hashtags on Social Media
  • SoundCloud for Industry Trends
  • Twitter and Instagram for Public Trends
  • Doomscrolling for Trend Research

Stay Active in Online Communities

We’ve learned that one of the best ways to stay on top of trends and discover what resonates with our audience is to keep active in online communities. We are active members of the Facebook groups and LinkedIn forums where home organization, corporate wellness, and sustainable living are discussed. Communities like these have been a godsend when it comes to identifying emerging trends, such as the demand for environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, which were the inspiration for our Green Cleaning line. As a result, this initiative saw a 30% increase in inquiries from eco-conscious clients. We also browse through Reddit threads, such as r/CleaningTips, to find real-time mentions of the pain points and preferences of tenants and landlords alike—information that allows us to adjust our services according to those needs by Manhattan residents and businesses.

For entertainment and viral content discovery, we turn to TikTok. Its “Discover” feature has been so effective at bringing trending topics and creative ideas to the surface for us to apply to our marketing strategy. For instance, we saw a viral trend surrounding “satisfying cleaning videos” and decided to start a series where we show our team members going from cluttered to clean spaces. This content received 500,000 views and drove 20% more website traffic and an 8% direct contact in bookings. Not only is TikTok’s algorithm a good time, allowing us to keep ourselves entertained—it also serves up a treasure trove of ideas for finding ways to engage our audience in creative and fun ways.

Andriy Neborak, Home Improvement Specialist | Cleaning Specialist| CEO, Luxury Cleaning NY

Use Sprout Social for Trends

I use social media as a radar and a playground. For trends, I rely on Sprout Social’s sentiment analysis and hashtag tracking to see what’s happening. Last year, this tool flagged a 40% increase in mentions of “solo female travel” on Instagram and Twitter. That’s how I redesigned my safety guides and partnered with @solofemaletravel—a move that boosted bookings by 15%. These tools cut through noise; they’re not just dashboards, they’re early warning systems.

Instagram and Reddit are my dual engines. On Instagram, I prioritize Reels over static posts. Why? Algorithms love video, and trends like “duet this if you’ve been here” challenges spread fast. For example, a Reel I made dueting a viral clip of Iceland’s Highlands got 2x more tour inquiries. Reddit’s r/travel threads, however, keep me honest. When users there roasted “overrated tourist traps” in Bali, I changed my itineraries to highlight hidden villages like Sidemen—now a top seller.

YouTube’s deep dives help me anticipate trends, not just react. Channels like Kara and Nate break down travel hacks (for instance, credit card points for luxury stays), which told me to offer points-based packages. I also track “search intent” via Google Trends. When “workation destinations” surged post-pandemic, I created remote work-friendly bundles with Wi-Fi guarantees—a niche that now drives 20% of my business.

Entertainment? Reddit’s r/ContagiousLaughter is my guilty pleasure. But even there, I analyze why certain videos go viral-timing, relatability, brevity—and apply those lessons to my content. For example, a 7-second clip of a llama photobombing a tour group in Peru inspired my team to create quirky, snackable clips for TikTok.

Start with one tool and one platform. Try Sprout Social’s free trial and track 2-3 hashtags in your niche. Post 3 Reels a week for a month and see which sticks. Double down on what works.

Social media isn’t just noise—it’s a feedback loop. Tools like Sprout Social filter the chaos. Platforms like Reddit and YouTube turn trends into actionable strategies. The key? Listen, adapt, repeat.

Soubhik Chakrabarti, CEO, Canada Hustle

Twitter as Real-Time News Source

Social media is pretty much my daily news feed, trend tracker, and entertainment hub all in one.

Every day, I check Twitter first thing in the morning to see what’s trending. It’s my real-time news source, whether it’s industry shifts, viral conversations, or just niche topics bubbling up. I follow thought leaders and influencers, not just for the content they share but for how they frame it because understanding why something is trending is just as important as knowing what is trending.

For spotting viral content, I’m a BuzzSumo devotee. It’s like a cheat sheet for spotting high-performing content across different platforms. I use it to see what’s gaining traction and even to spark ideas for my own content and the brands I manage.

Social listening tools help, too, but honestly, sometimes just scrolling through comment sections can give you better insights into what people really care about.

For pure entertainment and trend-spotting, TikTok and Instagram are unbeatable. Their algorithms constantly surprise me with viral moments I wouldn’t have found otherwise. I love seeing how different communities react to trends, what makes content take off, and how brands jump in on conversations. Some of my best campaign ideas have come from just casually scrolling and observing what resonates emotionally.

At the end of the day, staying on top of trends isn’t just about tools or data, it’s about paying attention to real conversations, seeing what people connect with, and being part of it. And for me, that daily mix of curiosity, strategy, and just pure enjoyment is what makes social media so powerful.

Shankar Subba, Head of SEO, WP Creative

Follow Top Dive Influencers

I keep an eye on social media the same way I’d watch changing currents before a dive—you have to know what’s trending before you get swept up in it. Instagram and TikTok are my go-to platforms for spotting what’s hot in the travel and adventure space. I follow top dive influencers, travel vloggers, and even rival fleets to see what kind of content is blowing up. If I notice a certain type of reel—like slow-motion bubbles rising over a wreck or behind-the-scenes crew life—getting traction, we jump on it and create our own version with our unique Red Sea spin.

For pure entertainment, I love following @theoceanpreneur on Instagram. They mix conservation with adventure in a way that feels fresh and inspiring, and I get plenty of ideas on how to balance environmental awareness with the thrill of diving. Plus, I can’t resist a good underwater meme page—accounts like @scubadivermemes keep things light and remind me that, at the end of the day, we’re all just ocean lovers geeking out over the same incredible world.

Mohamed Moussa, Managing Director, Tornado Marine Fleet

Reddit as Secret Weapon

I use social media like a radar for spotting trends early, and each platform serves a different purpose. Reddit is my secret weapon—subreddits like r/OutOfTheLoop and r/Marketing help me catch emerging discussions before they hit mainstream platforms. TikTok, though, is where trends explode first, so I spend time scrolling through the For You Page and checking trending sounds to see what’s gaining momentum. I also keep an eye on Twitter for real-time reactions and memes, which often dictate how a trend evolves.

For entertainment, I’m hooked on YouTube Shorts. Something about the mix of storytelling, humor, and niche deep dives makes it addictive. One of my favorite accounts is @ryangeorge, who does hilarious “pitch meetings” about movies—his humor is sharp and weirdly insightful. To stay ahead, I set up Google Alerts for certain keywords and use TweetDeck to track viral conversations. Social media moves fast, but if you know where to look, you can see the next big thing coming before everyone else does.

Staci Anderson, Director of Marketing, Raynor Garage Doors

Pinterest for Art and Design Trends

Social media has always been my go-to resource for staying on top of the latest trends in art and design. I began my journey on Pinterest several years ago and was fascinated by how its annual trend report, Pinterest Predicts, reveals emerging aesthetics such as Rococo Revival and Cherry Coded. I remember spending hours exploring carefully curated color boards, and those early discoveries helped me see design in a whole new light.

Instagram is another platform I love because its visual grid offers a constant stream of inspiring work from a wide range of artists. I often find myself scrolling through hashtags and Stories, where behind-the-scenes glimpses of creative processes spark new ideas for my own projects. The immediacy of feedback from fellow creatives makes it a truly engaging experience.

TikTok, on the other hand, has a knack for delivering quick bursts of creative inspiration. I recall watching a time-lapse video of a painting that completely transformed my approach to composition. The playful, spontaneous content on TikTok makes it a refreshing break from more polished platforms, while still offering valuable insights into new techniques and styles.

I also enjoy visiting specialized communities like Behance and ArtStation, where high-quality portfolios showcase cutting-edge design work. These platforms have taught me a great deal about how trends are applied in real-world projects, as I often learn from the diverse approaches presented there.

Combining data-driven insights from Pinterest with the real-time inspiration of Instagram and TikTok has truly broadened my creative perspective. This multi-platform approach not only keeps me updated but also fuels my own creative process by exposing me to a vibrant mix of ideas and techniques.

Luke Hickman, Owner, Hickman Design

Instagram and TikTok for Home Trends

To follow trends, I use social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok where I follow industry influencers, content creators, and communities focused on home improvement and design. These platforms tend to provide visual content in relation to current trends, like home renovations, DIY projects, and transformation images and videos. I also check Twitter and LinkedIn to catch up on news and conversations about the industry and the economy.

@thebuildsters on Instagram are among the most entertaining accounts I follow. They post captivating videos and pictures showcasing home-building projects as well as behind-the-scenes construction footage. Another one is @modernhomedesigns on TikTok, who posts motivational time-lapse videos of home renovations. Not only does social media provide entertainment, it also allows me to keep track of the latest home design trends or viral DIY hacks.

Sheldon Sutherland, CEO, Epoxy Werx

YouTube for In-Depth Trend Analysis

For tracking emerging trends, YouTube stands out as my most valuable resource. While it’s not the fastest-moving platform, that’s precisely what makes it powerful. Viral content fades quickly elsewhere, but YouTube is where ideas get dissected, examined, and thoroughly discussed.

I noticed this pattern while monitoring AI and automation developments. News articles offered quick updates, but YouTube creators were conducting actual tests, evaluating tools side by side, and sharing candid perspectives. A detailed analysis from someone implementing AI daily reveals more than dozens of polished LinkedIn posts filled with corporate terminology.

Some of my most valuable insights have come through unexpected discoveries. Once, while watching a video about customer experience strategy, I learned about Gen Z’s preference for messaging apps over traditional support channels. This wasn’t trending anywhere else, but it transformed my perspective on AI-driven communication.

Adam Czeczuk, Head of Consulting Services, Think Beyond

Track Trends on Multiple Platforms

I’ve always believed that if you’re not using social media to track trends, you’re missing out on valuable insights. One time, I caught a viral challenge early on TikTok and used it to spark a successful marketing campaign-proof that staying ahead of trends is more than just entertainment.

To stay up to date, I rely on different platforms for different types of trends. Twitter (X) is my go-to for real-time updates—I follow @MattNavarra for social media news and check Twitter Trends daily. TikTok is unmatched for cultural shifts, so I keep an eye on the For You page and trending hashtags to see what’s gaining traction. Instagram and Threads are great for meme culture and influencer-driven trends; accounts like @Pubity and @TheShadeRoom highlight viral moments before they hit mainstream media. Reddit is where niche trends start to build—subreddits like r/Marketing and r/PopCultureChat are gold mines for emerging conversations. Even LinkedIn provides valuable industry insights, especially when thought leaders share viral business trends.

When it comes to pure entertainment, some accounts never miss. @NoContextHumans on Twitter and Instagram consistently delivers absurdly relatable content that goes viral. @DudeWithSign is another favorite—the simple format of holding up cardboard signs with funny observations is proof that low-effort, high-impact content works. On TikTok, creators like @ChrisHughestv break down trends in a way that makes them easy to understand and capitalize on.

I use these platforms not just for entertainment but as a tool for content strategy. If a meme or format is gaining momentum, I think: How can this be adapted for my audience? Trends give real-time insights into audience behavior, and spotting them early means being able to create engaging, timely content. Social media isn’t just for scrolling—it’s a real-time trend-spotting machine, and those who use it wisely stay ahead of the curve.

Ahmed Yousuf, Financial Author & SEO Expert Manager, CoinTime

Monitor Niche Subreddits for Trends

I’d like to outline my strategy to keep up with viral trends online—something non-obvious.

Instead of tracking only popular large mainstream channels, I also monitor very specialist, small circles that don’t usually show up in your news feed. Take, for instance, niche subreddits like r/InternetIsBeautiful (for weird yet wonderful web achievements) or r/ObscureMedia (where interesting though lesser-seen video clips routinely give rise to new meme directions). I also follow a few low-key TikTok users who play with offbeat editing aesthetics or funny formats. What’s the end result? I catch up on upcoming themes on the periphery before they’re blowing up all over the place.

What’s surprising here:

  • You encounter unpolished, raw ideas-usually from ordinary people experimenting with innovative, sometimes crazy, ways of creating content.
  • Organic traction within these smaller circles can be an initial indication of a concept’s ability to go viral. If it gains traction there, it can easily crossover into more mainstream platforms shortly thereafter.

As for the most fun account I read, it’s tied between @officialpsyche on TikTok (who deconstructs little bits of psychology in comedic reenactments) and the funny edits in r/DeepIntoYouTube, which frequently show us the beginning of the next big thing. These accounts bring me those quirky or unexpected concepts—basically the sparks that have the potential to become tomorrow’s mega-viral wave.

Derek Pankaew, CEO & Founder, Listening.com

TikTok and Instagram for Travel Trends

In order to analyze the latest trends and viral content, I check Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (X) for different reasons. Instagram and TikTok offer fresh travel opportunities and hospitality trends in reels and user-generated content. I particularly appreciate TikTok as it is incredibly helpful with real-time trends due to their algorithm surfacing popular content rapidly. Travel influencers, hospitality professionals, and tourism boards help me understand what is capturing travelers’ attention.

Twitter (X) is the most useful platform for receiving news and industry details relevant to travel. I track travel journalists and airline news to pay attention to policy shifts, fare movements, and cancellations due to weather. Travel forums on Reddit and Facebook groups help shed light on guest expectations, trending topics, and real life traveler stories.

A very entertaining account on Instagram I follow is @PassengerShaming. They cover the reality aspect of traveling from passengers behaving oddly to airport failures in a fun way. It just reminds me that hospitality involves a lot of waiting, flexibility, and laughter!

Silvia Lupone, owner, Stingray Villa

TikTok’s For You Page for Trends

Staying ahead of social media trends is a big part of my job. One of the best ways I do this is by using TikTok’s “For You Page” and Instagram’s Explore Tab to track what’s trending in music, memes, and viral challenges. The “For You Page” is a gold mine for discovering emerging sounds, DJ remix trends, and the types of content people are engaging with the most. If a certain beat or transition is blowing up, I can make sure Tim integrates it into his sets or creates his own version to ride the wave. Similarly, Instagram’s Explore Tab helps me see what visuals and edits are trending, whether it’s a specific video style, filter, or dance move that could be incorporated into his content. These platforms give me real-time insights into what’s capturing audiences’ attention, helping us stay relevant and keep engagement high.

One platform I find most entertaining is TikTok, especially following popular accounts related to our niche. Watching how these accounts engage their audience gives me inspiration for Tim’s content strategy. If there’s a trend picking up momentum, I make sure we’re on it before it peaks. That’s the key to staying fresh in the music scene, being ahead of the curve, not just following it.

Callum Gracie, Manager, Tim The DJ

Use TikTok for Real-Time Trends

I use social media to stay up-to-date through a combination of platforms: TikTok (for now, still), BlueSky, and LinkedIn.

TikTok is typically the social media platform that has trends and viral items first, which every other platform and news organization eventually then picks up. And we aren’t talking about the latest dances, we’re talking about protests being covered live, or any important event happening in the world being accompanied by video footage posted to TikTok that someone filmed. Anything that ends up going viral typically has TikTok involved in some way at the beginning of its life in terms of distribution to the masses.

BlueSky is still growing by leaps and bounds but also has a long way to go to catch up to all the other major platforms in terms of user total. But what it lacks in volume, it makes up for with quality. Good chunks of audiences from the worlds of research and science, the literary world, higher education and more (including a ton of X refugees who either refused to join Meta’s Threads OR joined both and decided BlueSky was better) have descended into the platform to help turn it into something that lives between Threads and what Twitter once was. I go to BlueSky once something has become newsworthy or viral in a bigger way to see what the discussion forming around it looks like from multiple angles.

LinkedIn is the place where I keep up mostly with what’s going on locally in Arizona in the worlds of business, economic development, startups, and marketing. My network there is comprised of people I’ve met over the last fifteen years of attending events, or speaking appearances, past jobs, or past organizations. Everyone I’m connected to and see updates from I know in some way and/or have met or worked extensively with in person. This means that the information gathered here is that which I most engage with and act upon, whether it’s liking, commenting on or sharing a post, helping to amplify all the growth and activity happening here in Greater Phoenix, or registering and attending an event where I’ll see connections and colleagues again.

By far, TikTok is the most entertaining though, and if we end up losing it after this latest injunction to ban it, I will definitely miss it like I miss Vine, Meerkat, StumbleUpon, and Myspace.

Vincent Orleck, President, Social Media Club Phoenix

Follow Trend Hashtags on Social Media

I use social media every day to stay ahead of trends, and following trend hashtags is one of the easiest ways to do it. Whether it’s #TrendingNow, #MarketingTrends, or #BookTok, these hashtags give me a quick snapshot of what’s capturing attention. It’s like having a pulse on what people are talking about, which helps me spot opportunities for content, discussions, or even new business strategies.

I find Twitter and TikTok to be the best platforms for real-time trends. Twitter’s Trending section updates constantly, and if you follow the right hashtags, you can catch viral news before it explodes. On TikTok, #BookTok has been a game-changer for my industry, it’s where I discover what books are blowing up, what people are reading, and how storytelling is evolving.

For entertainment, I love following Marques Brownlee on YouTube and Twitter. He blends tech reviews with real insights, and he’s always ahead of the curve. Staying up-to-date isn’t just about consuming content, it’s about engaging, experimenting, and thinking about how trends apply to your own industry. That’s what keeps The Reading Guru fresh and relevant.

Joanna Brown, Founder & CEO, The Reading Guru

SoundCloud for Industry Trends

In my opinion, SoundCloud is an unexpected but clever platform for staying on top of trends and viral content. I follow several podcasts and audio series that cover financial technology and payment consulting topics. Listening to expert discussions while commuting or working gives me a fresh perspective on industry trends. This audio-based approach offers a break from traditional visual feeds and written articles. Although it’s not a common choice for trend tracking, using SoundCloud to listen to insightful commentary is a crafty way to remain updated and engaged in a relaxed, accessible format.

Marco Genaro Palma, Co-Founder, Just AI News

Twitter and Instagram for Public Trends

Platforms like Twitter (X) and Instagram are especially helpful because they provide a live look at what’s on the public’s mind. We keep track of trending hashtags, viral challenges and celebrity activities to find moments for our clients’ brand to be involved in relevant cultural movements. If one of our celebrities is gaining traction over a post or campaign, we can use that momentum to ask for endorsement or partnership. These social listening tools are also crucial in monitoring sentiment and engagement, so our strategies are always data-driven and impactful. There’s a difference between watching trends and leveraging and actualizing that information to be opportunities for our clients.

As far as entertainment goes, for me, TikTok is the most engaging platform. Its algorithm is so intuitive it has me hooked mostly with humor and creativity but also with a side of the unexpected. I love how it democratizes content creation, enabling both celebs and average joe users to go viral overnight. TikTok is a goldmine for our clients when it comes to shining a light on what resonates with younger audiences and how to create authentic, relatable campaigns. One account that I personally find most amusing is @kevonstagetiktok—his comedy timing along with relatable pop culture observations are a welcome addition to my day. Yet beyond entertainment, TikTok’s role in shaping music, fashion, and even philanthropy cannot be ignored, which is why it is a vital platform to assess for us while advising clients on how to stay relevant and connected in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

Carmen Mendoza, Account Executive, Booking Agent Info

Doomscrolling for Trend Research

Whoever said doomscrolling wasn’t beneficial obviously was not a social media manager! The best way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends is to be fully immersed in them daily. No, you’re not “just scrolling on your phone.” You’re doing valuable research!

We all know that TikTok is the go-to spot to seek out the latest trends, but the Instagram Reels feed is quickly becoming our favorite place to scroll for research. The Duolingo bird and the Tarte Cosmetics Shape Tape always have our attention on social!

Angela LaRose, Social Media Strategist + Copywriter, Scott Social

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