YouTube is facing major changes. The platform announced it will shut down its ‘Trending’ tab on July 21. This feature has been around since 2015, but low user engagement has forced the move.
"Hardly anyone uses the Trending page anymore," YouTube stated.
Instead of featuring what’s trending, users now prefer personalized recommendations based on their individual preferences. This shift has already impacted the K-pop industry, where artists like NewJeans, Stray Kids, and ILLIT focus on formats like Shorts and livestreams to connect with fans.
In place of the ‘Trending’ tab, YouTube will expand its ‘YouTube Charts’, which covers music, podcasts, trailers, and now additional content categories. This could help K-pop artists track their performance more effectively.
The change comes as platforms like TikTok are reshaping content consumption. With Shorts, YouTube aims to compete by allowing artists to create viral moments without relying on trending lists.
"Users haven’t used Trending in years," many have commented.
The removal of the ‘Trending’ tab raises questions about content visibility. YouTube is investing more in specific charts rather than general popularity rankings.
The end of the ‘Trending’ tab represents a big shift in fan culture and content discovery. In K-pop, success is now measured by consistent engagement in segmented digital spaces.
For more info, check out the official YouTube announcement.
Stay tuned for more updates on how this will affect the K-pop scene!
