Highlights
- YouTube is replacing its long-standing Trending page with category-based Charts like Trending Music Videos, Top Podcasts, and Movie Trailers, starting July 21, 2025.
- New features like Hype, Creators on the Rise, and Artist on the Rise aim to spotlight emerging talent
- YouTube Music Updates include clearer shuffle/repeat buttons, a Quick Start Radio card for instant playlists and a Releases for you section on album pages across platforms.
Google is shaking things up on YouTube by retiring the long-standing Trending page. The platform is introducing YouTube Charts, which is a more focused way to discover what’s popular in specific categories. This marks a big shift from the original Trending format that’s been around since 2015. Here’s our report.
YouTube Trending – What’s Changing?
The dedicated Trending section including the “Trending Now” feed is being removed. Instead, you’ll now find trending content through new YouTube Charts organised by themes such as:
- Trending Music Videos
- Top Weekly Podcast Shows
- Trending Movie Trailers
More categories will be added over time. For now, trending gaming videos will still be found in the Gaming Explore section.
YouTube will keep recommending trending content based on what you like to watch. These suggestions will appear alongside the new Charts. You can still explore general content through the Explore tab, Subscriptions feed and individual creator channels.
Why YouTube Is Making This Change?
YouTube says the way people discover trends has changed. These days most viewers are more influenced by search, recommendations, comments, and Community features. So, the move to category-based charts reflects how user behaviour has evolved. YouTube Charts first launched in 2018, and this new update builds on that foundation.
More Tools and Support for Creators
Creators will continue to get trend insights through the Inspiration tab in YouTube Studio. Plus, YouTube is adding new tools to help rising creators get noticed:
- Hype – lets users promote new videos they enjoy
- Creators on the Rise – featured on @YouTube and the homepage
- Artist on the Rise – now highlighted in the Music Explore section
When Are These Changes Rolling Out?
YouTube says the global rollout starts July 21, 2025. Once the update is live, the Music tab will replace the old Trending tab in the sidebar on both the web and mobile app.
YouTube Music Updates
Meanwhile, YouTube Music is also making small but helpful tweaks to the shuffle and repeat buttons.
In the past, these buttons would just appear slightly bolder when turned on, which wasn’t always clear. Now, YouTube Music adds a small white dot below the active button, making it much easier to tell when shuffle or repeat is on. The repeat-one mode (“1”) looks the same as before.
Caption – YouTube Music Active state – Old vs. new. (Image credit – 9to5Google)
This update is rolling out gradually via YouTube Music 8.26 on Android, though it’s not widely available yet.
Caption – “Make a quick start radio” card on YouTube Music. (Image credit – 9to5Google)
Other new features include a new “Make a quick start radio” card on the Home feed. It shows eight suggested artists, pick your favourites and hit “Play now” to instantly generate a custom station.
Caption – New “Releases for you” section on YouTube Music. (Image credit – 9to5Google)
The “Releases for you” section is now live on the album page across Android, iOS, and the web, helping users easily spot new music tailored to their taste.
FAQs
Q1. What is replacing the YouTube Trending tab?
Answer. YouTube is retiring its traditional Trending page and introducing YouTube Charts, which organise trending content by categories like music videos, podcasts, and movie trailers.
Q2. How will creators benefit from these changes?
Answer. Creators will continue to get trend insights via the Inspiration tab in YouTube Studio, and new tools like Hype, Creators on the Rise, and Artist on the Rise will help boost visibility for emerging talent.
Q3. What updates are coming to YouTube Music?
Answer. YouTube Music is improving shuffle and repeat button clarity with a white dot indicator, adding a Quick Start Radio card for instant playlists, and launching a Releases for you section on album pages.
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