In ecommerce, timing is everything. What’s hot today might be forgotten tomorrow—and your ability to identify and feature trending categories quickly can be the difference between riding the wave or missing it entirely.
While individual products may trend for specific reasons, categories represent broader shopper interest—offering scalability, deeper cross-sell potential, and a smarter merchandising strategy.
In this blog, we’ll explore what trending product types are, how to detect them, and how to turn them into a consistent source of clicks, conversions, and growth.
What Are Trending Categories?
Trending categories are product groupings—like “home workout gear,” “back-to-school essentials,” or “summer skincare”—that are experiencing a notable spike in interest, traffic, or sales over a short time frame.
They often reflect:
- Seasonal demand (e.g., “winter jackets”)
- Cultural or social trends (e.g., “Taylor Swift merch”)
- Economic shifts (e.g., “budget tech gadgets”)
- Viral content (e.g., “TikTok makeup”)
Spotting these trends early lets you capitalize on emerging demand while competitors are still catching up.
Why Trending Categories Matter More Than Products
| Reason | Impact |
|---|---|
| Higher Click Volume | Categories attract broader interest than individual items |
| Improved Discoverability | Shoppers looking to browse get guided to curated options |
| Scalable Merchandising | Promote multiple products under a single trend |
| Boosted SEO Traffic | Category-level keywords are often highly searched |
| Smart Inventory Planning | Spot rising demand early and plan stock accordingly |
How to Identify Trending Categories
How to Use Trending Categories to Boost Sales
1. Create Dedicated Landing Pages
Build or update category pages to reflect what’s trending, with SEO-friendly titles and dynamic content.
✅ Example: Instead of just “Shoes,” feature “Retro Sneakers for Summer 2024”
2. Highlight Them on Your Homepage
Add a “Trending Now” or “Seasonal Spotlight” section linked to your hottest categories.
✅ Tip: Update it weekly or tie it to promotions.
3. Optimize Navigation and Filters
Make trending product types easy to find in your site menu or use filters like “Trending,” “Hot Picks,” or “New Season Favorites.”
4. Target Them in Ads and Email Campaigns
Use Google Shopping, Meta, and email flows to promote collections based on popular product groups, not just individual SKUs.
✅ Bonus: Categories often deliver higher CTRs and broader reach.
5. Cross-Sell Within the Trend
Use trending product types to bundle or recommend related items.
✅ Example: In “Sustainable Kitchen,” cross-sell reusable wraps, compost bins, and bamboo utensils.
How ExpertRec Surfaces Trending Categories Automatically
ExpertRec uses AI to track real-time user behavior—making it easier to detect and capitalize on category-level trends. Features include:
- Category-based search analytics
- Autocomplete suggestions based on rising interest
- Real-time re-ranking of collections
- Visual merchandising options for trending sections
- Behavioral data integration for personalized category discovery
With ExpertRec, you’re not just keeping up—you’re staying ahead.
Conclusion: Categories Are Where the Trend Lives
While trending products come and go, trending categories offer sustainable merchandising power. They allow you to tap into collective shopper intent, guide exploration, and multiply your store’s engagement across multiple SKUs.
Track the signals. Curate the categories. Turn them into growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are trending categories?
These are product groupings that experience rising interest or sales, often due to seasonality, social trends, or cultural relevance.
2. How are trending categories different from best sellers?
Best sellers focus on individual product performance; trending categories group multiple high-interest products together.
3. Where should I feature trending categories?
Homepages, nav menus, search autocomplete, product filters, and paid campaigns.
4. How do I track trending categories on my store?
Use analytics platforms or ExpertRec to monitor click-throughs, search data, and filter usage over time.
5. Can ExpertRec surface trending categories automatically?
Yes. ExpertRec identifies rising interest in category-level search queries and helps you feature them prominently.
