Exploding Topics Review: Uncover Trends Before They Blow Up!

As an SEO specialist, I’m constantly looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve. After all, SEO isn’t just about optimizing for what’s popular right now, but anticipating what’s coming next. It’s about spotting the trends before they become mainstream, so you can create content that resonates when it matters most. That’s why staying on top of emerging trends is more critical than ever!

I’ve heard a lot about Exploding Topics and was excited to do a personal deep dive into it. Co-founded by Brian Dean (an SEO legend!) it’s a game-changing tool that helps you spot trends before they explode into mainstream consciousness!

What I love about Exploding Topics is that (unlike Google Trends) it doesn’t just show you what’s already trending. It helps you identify trends before they even become popular.

While Google Trends is great for giving me real-time data on what’s hot right now, Exploding Topics digs deeper by analyzing the growth patterns of topics over time so I can spot emerging trends that are on the rise but haven’t hit the mainstream yet. This early insight allows me to create content that’s ahead of the curve, giving me a strategic advantage!

In this Exploding Topics review, I’ll discuss the pros and cons, what it is, who it’s best for, and its key features. Then, I’ll show you how I used Exploding Topics to uncover emerging trends, boost my content strategy, and ultimately stay ahead of the competition.

I’ll finish the article by comparing Exploding Topics with my top three alternatives (Trends Critical, Brandwatch, and Talkwalker). By the end, you’ll know if Exploding Topics is right for you!

Verdict

Exploding Topics is an excellent tool for uncovering emerging trends, creating timely content, and staying ahead of market shifts. However, its cost, limited niche coverage, and occasional fluctuations in trend accuracy may make it less ideal for smaller businesses or highly specialized industries.

What is Exploding Topics?

At its core, Exploding Topics is a massive trend detection engine that uses artificial intelligence to analyze millions of data points across the Internet. We’re talking everything including Google search data, social media, news articles, and online discussions. It identifies trends at least 6 months before they go mainstream!

Trend Detection Algorithm & Data Sources

The Trend Detection algorithm doesn’t just look for spikes in popularity. Instead, it analyzes the growth pattern of topics over time, looking for sustained, organic growth curves.

For example, let’s say you’re researching sustainable fashion trends. The platform can help you spot bamboo fabric as an emerging trend because it shows consistent growth over the years, not just a temporary surge.

Free vs. Pro Versions

The free version of Exploding Topics gives you access to basic trend data and limited historical information. But if you’re serious about trend research, the pro version is worth investing in!

You get daily trend updates, advanced filters, and trend forecasting capabilities which can help spot potentially profitable niches early on. You’ll also get access to Pro features, like Meta Trends, trending products and startups, and API access (in higher-tier plans).

Pro users can also view very new trends peaking in the last 3-6 months, which isn’t available in the free version. Plus, the historical data goes back several years, allowing you to differentiate between seasonal spikes and genuine long-term trends!

Meta Categories

One thing that took me a bit to figure out was how to effectively use the Meta Trends. These are like trend clusters that show you the bigger picture of related topics!

The Meta Trends feature provides a visual representation of umbrella topics and their related subtopics. When you click on a Meta Trend, you’ll see a diagram with an inner ring of popular micro trends and an outer ring of related trending topics.

When exploring Meta Trends, you might discover how seemingly separate topics are interconnected. For example, a broad trend like “Premium Snacks” might include various related trending subtopics, helping you understand the larger market context.

Using Meta Trends can help you identify emerging niches within broader markets and understand the complex relationships between different trending topics. It’s an excellent way to get a more comprehensive view of trend dynamics beyond individual topic analysis.

While the platform is powerful, it’s not without limitations. Sometimes you’ll need to combine its insights with other research tools like Semrush, Google Trends, or other research platforms to get a well-rounded view of emerging market opportunities!

Who is Exploding Topics Best For?

Exploding Topics is best suited for these types of people:

• Bloggers and Content Marketers can use Exploding Topics to find fresh, engaging topics with high search potential, discover content ideas that haven’t been extensively covered, and create content that drives traffic.
• SEO Professionals can use Exploding Topics to identify low-competition keywords linked to rapidly growing trends, help clients get quick ranking results, and stand out in competitive digital landscapes.
• Investors can use Exploding Topics to uncover promising trends and emerging startups and gain insights into untapped market potential.
• Entrepreneurs can use Exploding Topics to validate business ideas, spot market gaps before they become saturated, and position themselves to offer groundbreaking products or services.
• Industries with Significant Potential can use Exploding Topics to track trends in technology (AI, machine learning, blockchain), e-commerce, marketing, health, and finance.

Exploding Topics Key Features

This platform comes with eight key features.

1. Trend Tracking

When I first used the Trend Tracking feature, I was impressed by how comprehensive it was. It doesn’t just show you what’s trending. It breaks down the growth pattern with detailed metrics!

The Trend Tracking tool focuses on overall growth patterns, search volume trends, and future projections. It provides the following key features for trend analysis:

• Historical data going back up to 15 years
• Search volume for the previous month and growth over selected periods
• Trend forecasting using AI prediction for the next year (in some plans)
• Channel breakdown showing where the topic is most popular on social media
• Related trends for additional context

2. Trends Database

The Trends Database has become my go-to resource for research. It’s massive (we’re talking hundreds of thousands of tracked topics across dozens of categories!) It also covers 31+ categories including AI, pets, marketing, tech, food, gaming, design, and travel.

What I love most is the filtering system. You can refine the data by growth rate, time period, and type (brand or non-brand).

The database is updated daily, so you have access to the most current trend information. Each trend includes a graph of historical Google Search volume so you can understand the trend’s growth trajectory and stability over time.

Pro users can export this data into CSV files, making it easy to conduct deeper analysis outside the platform.

3. Trend Analysis

For Trend Analysis, Exploding Topics is really good at providing context. It’s not just raw numbers. You get detailed insights about why a trend is growing!

The correlation analysis has been particularly useful.

For example, you might discover that the rise in “mushroom coffee” is strongly correlated with broader trends in functional beverages and natural nootropics. This kind of insight can help create much more comprehensive content!

4. Trending Startups

The Trending Startups tool is great for staying ahead of industry innovations.

Each startup listing includes:

• Company name and description
• Founded date
• Total funding and latest funding round
• Number of employees
• Location
• Website and social platform links (if available)

It’s an excellent tool for identifying emerging business models and product categories before they hit mainstream awareness.

5. Trending Products

The Trending Products feature saves countless hours of market research. It offers insights into trending products across various categories.

Here’s what sets it apart:

• Uses AI and machine learning to analyze data from multiple sources (including Google Search, social media, and e-commerce sites)
• Provides growth trends and forecasts for products
• Shows top sellers and brands for each product

6. Meta Trends

Meta Trends might be the most powerful feature for strategic planning. It visually represents umbrella topics and their related subtopics, showing interconnected trends within larger markets.

When you click on a Meta Trend, you see a diagram with an inner ring of popular micro trends and an outer ring of related trending topics. This helps identify fast-growing niche trends within broader markets, providing a list of growing keywords, brands, and products in that niche.

For example, I discovered trending AI chatbots like Yellow AI and Elise AI were all part of a larger meta trend in AI Chatbots. This helped me develop a much more coherent content strategy by providing insights into emerging niches and understanding the complex relationships between different trending topics!

7. Reports Library

The Reports Library offers curated trends and comprehensive analyses delivered weekly. It provides valuable insights that help paint a picture of where markets are heading.

Each report is divided into two main segments:

• “Early bird companies”
• “Tomorrow’s products today”

In every report, you’ll find:

• Four trending products
• Four companies making waves
• Detailed insights for each trend and company

8. API Access

Exploding Topics offers API access for Pro Business subscribers. The API lets you retrieve and analyze topics in real time, with up to 60 requests per minute.

Key features of the Exploding Topics API include:

• Access to trending topics, including descriptions, detection dates, and monthly search volumes
• Data on popular e-commerce products, including growth levels and search metrics
• Information on trending startups
• Historical data going back 15 years, with daily updates

The API can be integrated into existing analytics systems and content planning tools to streamline your workflow. You can even build custom dashboards, create visualizations, and set up automatic reminders or workflows based on trend data.

It’s flexible and easy to use with REST architecture. It’s also managed directly by Exploding Topics for live and accurate data and comes with hands-on support if needed.

Combining These Features

Something I’ve learned is to use these features in combination.

For example, I often start with Meta Trends to identify broad movements, then drill down using the Trends Database, validate with the Products section, and finally use the API to monitor specific metrics automatically. This integrated approach has helped me spot opportunities I might have missed looking at any single feature in isolation.

Just remember that like any tool, these features work best when you have a clear strategy for using them. It took me some time to develop an efficient workflow, but now I can quickly assess new opportunities and make data-driven decisions about content direction.

The real power comes from understanding how these features complement each other. For example, when I identify a promising trend in the database, I can quickly validate it against startup activity and product demand and then set up API monitoring for ongoing tracking. This comprehensive approach has helped me stay ahead of market shifts rather than just reacting to them!

How to Use Exploding Topics

Here’s how I used Exploding Topics to identify rising trends in my niche:

1. Create an Account
2. Go to Meta Trends
3. View All Meta Trends
4. Select a Trend
5. Track a Topic
6. Create a New Project
7. View Your Project
8. Select a Topic
9. Analyze Topic Metrics
10. View Related Trends
11. Find Trends in Your Niche

Step 1: Create an Account

I started by going to explodingtopics.com and hitting “Pro” on the top right and then “Sign In.”

After creating an account and signing up for a Pro plan, I was taken to the Trend Tracking tab!

Step 2: Go to Meta Trends

First things first: start with the Meta Trends section which you can find near the bottom of the navigation panel. Instead of getting lost in individual trends, I’ve learned to use this tool to look at broader category movements.

Step 3: View All Meta Trends

To view all meta trends, I clicked “All Meta Trends” on the top right.

Step 4: Select a Trend

From here, I could view all of my meta trends in one place and choose the one I wanted to dive deeper into.

I selected “View Analysis” on “AI Chatbots.”

Selecting “View Analysis” gave me a brief background and analysis of AI chatbots, as well as a chart with two rings:

• Inner ring: Micro trends within AI chatbots
• Outer ring: Other trends related to AI chatbots

Step 5: Track a Topic

Selecting one of the trending topics presented a graph showing the volume and growth over the past couple of years. Beneath this graph, I could hit “Track Topic” to start tracking it!

When deciding which topics you want to track on Exploding Topics, pay attention to the platform’s trend indicators. Look for trends with:

• Steady upward growth trajectories
• Increasing search volume
• “Exploding” or early-stage status

I’ve had success targeting topics that are just beginning to gain traction but haven’t reached peak popularity. These emerging trends often represent the perfect timing for content creation or business strategy. By identifying trends before they become mainstream, you can position yourself ahead of the competition.

The meta trends on Exploding Topics are an excellent way to discover topics you might think are a single trend but are actually part of a larger movement. It’s a great way to identify niche opportunities within larger markets! If you’re an SEO specialist like me, it’s an excellent way to create content clusters to establish topical authority and really start ranking in the SERPs.

Step 6: Create a New Project

Hitting “Track Topic” opens a small window with existing projects I can add the topic to. Alternatively, I could create a new project, which is what I selected.

Next, I had to give my project a name. I called it “AI Tools” and hit “Create.”

Step 7: View Your Project

Heading over to the “Trend Tracking” tab was my new project and topic! I hit “View Project” to see more.

Step 8: Select a Topic

Hitting “View Project” took me to a page where I could view my topics, growth, and volume within the project. I selected the topic I had just added.

Step 9: Analyze Topic Metrics

This gave me much deeper insights into:

• The topics growth over time (up to 15 years!) and project forecast over the next 12 months
• What the topic was about
• A breakdown of the topic’s activity on each social channel
• Key indicators of the topic’s growth, speed, etc.

Step 10: View Related Trends

Below that were trends related to my topic, including their growth metrics.

Step 11: Find Trends in Your Niche

The Trends Database is another excellent tool for finding trending topics in your specific niche. At the top, you can search for specific trends, or look through the different categories.

But don’t just stick to your main niche. Explore adjacent categories too to find even more opportunities!

To find trends in my niche, I selected the “Trends Database” from the navigation menu and filtered through the categories. In my case, I wanted to find more AI trends, so I went to “Technology” and selected “Artificial Intelligence.”

Next, I was presented with tens of thousands of Artificial Intelligence topics I could sort by trends, growth, volume, timeframe, and type (brands or non-brands). I could select any of these topics to get deeper insights and add them to my projects to track over time, or I could export the trend data to a CSV!

The real power of Exploding Topics isn’t just in finding trends. It’s in understanding how to time your content strategy around them.

I’ve found that targeting trends when they’re in the early growth phase, rather than at their peak, usually leads to better long-term results!

Overall, Exploding Topics helped me uncover emerging trends before they hit the mainstream for a competitive edge. By tracking and analyzing trends, I was able to create targeted strategies to boost my content’s relevance and reach!

Top 3 Exploding Topics Alternatives

Herer are the best Exploding Topics alternatives.

Trends Critical

The first Exploding Topics alternative I’d recommend is Trends Critical. I love Trends Critical for its AI tools that simplify turning insights into real-world results! The tool aims to “skip hours of trend research” and offers a unique approach of combining “Trends + AI + Partners = Faster and Better Outcomes”.

Both platforms focus on identifying emerging trends and valuable insights for businesses and individuals aiming to stay ahead of market changes. Exploding Topics casts a wide net across industries, analyzing millions of online interactions to identify trends before they take off. Meanwhile, Trends Critical goes further with insights powered by AI. It offers cross-industry trend integration, real-life trend validation, and customizable tools tailored to specific workflows.

Exploding Topics excels in simplicity, ease of navigation, and providing broad trend insights through predefined categories. On the other hand, Trends Critical offers a more dynamic, AI-driven approach with personalized insights with support for over 50 languages and 40+ AI templates. While Exploding Topics may appeal to those seeking general trends, Trends Critical’s strengths lie in its ability to offer niche, personalized insights and tools for converting trends into actionable strategies.

For a straightforward way to discover broad trends and generate content ideas, choose Exploding Topics. For AI-driven, customizable insights to transform trends into concrete business actions, Trends Critical is the better fit!

Brandwatch

The next Exploding Topics alternative I’d recommend is Brandwatch. Brandwatch is excellent at providing detailed historical context and actionable real-time insights through its advanced AI capabilities. They recently launched an AI-powered React Score that provides real-time brand reputation insights!

Both platforms help identify trends, but their approaches and focus areas differ.

Exploding Topics uses a broad algorithm to analyze millions of searches, conversations, and mentions. This makes Exploding Topics the better choice for spotting under-the-radar trends early. It’s easy to navigate and caters to content creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs looking to stay ahead of emerging markets. However, its predefined categories and limited niche coverage can be drawbacks.

Meanwhile, Brandwatch focuses on comprehensive consumer intelligence with historical and real-time data from 1.7 trillion conversations across diverse sources like social media, reviews, and news. Its AI tools provide deep insights through auto-segmentation, image analysis, and customizable visualizations for large-scale data analysis. Unlike Exploding Topics, Brandwatch offers powerful reporting tools to track and share insights, making it better suited for enterprises.

For a user-friendly tool to spot trends and create timely content, choose Exploding Topics. For a robust platform with deep consumer intelligence and market analysis, choose Brandwatch!

Talkwalker

The final Exploding Topics alternative I’d recommend is Talkwalker. Both tools are designed to help businesses stay ahead of trends, but they approach this goal differently.

Exploding Topics focuses on identifying early-stage trends by analyzing Internet searches and conversations. This is great for finding valuable insights for content creation. On the other hand, Talkwalker excels in social listening, media monitoring, and consumer intelligence. It also comes with comprehensive tools for reputation management and competitor analysis.

Exploding Topics is straightforward and excellent for discovering under-the-radar trends across predefined categories. Meanwhile, Talkwalker offers a broader scope, including crisis management and audience insights. It also uses Blue Silk™ GPT to decode real-time consumer insights and predict future KPIs with high accuracy, among other things. The major difference lies in Talkwalker’s emphasis on real-time monitoring and its ability to connect businesses with influential media partners while Exploding Topics remains focused on trend discovery.

If you’re looking for early-stage trend discovery and niche content ideas, choose Exploding Topics. For real-time insights, social media monitoring, and reputation management, choose Talkwalker!

Exploding Topics Review: The Right Tool For You?

After using Exploding Topics for trend discovery, it’s been an invaluable tool in staying ahead of market shifts and creating content that resonates. The ability to identify emerging trends before they hit the mainstream is something I didn’t expect to be so impactful! I’ve been able to create content around topics that were just starting to gain traction, positioning myself ahead of the curve.

The entire platform is easy to navigate and offers detailed insights, like search volume trends and future projections. I’ve been able to understand not just what’s trending, but why it’s growing. Plus, the Meta Trends feature helped me connect seemingly unrelated trends into larger movements. As an SEO specialist, this has been huge for creating content clusters to establish topical authority.

The only drawback I’d mention is that Exploding Topics doesn’t cover niche industries as deeply as I’d like. If you’re working in a very specialized field, you might find the coverage a bit limited. But for broader trends and content creation, this tool is solid.

If you’re curious about the best Exploding Topics alternatives, here’s what I’d recommend:

• Trends Critical is best if you’re looking for AI-powered, customizable trend insights across industries with a focus on real-world applications. It’s a great tool for creating actionable strategies.
• Brandwatch is best for enterprises needing advanced consumer intelligence, historical data, and real-time insights from 1.7 trillion conversations across multiple sources.
• Talkwalker is best for businesses looking for real-time insights, social media monitoring, and competitor analysis with a focus on media partnerships and reputation management.

Overall, if you’re looking to discover emerging trends early and stay ahead of the competition, Exploding Topics is a must-have. It’s been a game-changer for my content strategy and decision-making, especially when paired with other tools for deeper insights!

Thanks for reading my Exploding Topics review! I hope you found it helpful.

Exploding Topics offers a Free Plan that includes the Trend Explorer, a weekly newsletter with trending topics, and three free Trend Reports each month. Try it for yourself and see how you like it!

Visit Exploding Topics →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Exploding Topics reputable?

Exploding Topics is a reputable trend discovery tool, earning an impressive 4.9 out of 5 rating on ProductHunt and co-founded by Brian Dean, a well-known SEO expert. The platform has grown significantly, now boasting a database of 779k+ trends and generating $3.2 million in annual recurring revenue, which demonstrates its credibility and value in the market.

Where does Exploding Topics get their data from?

Exploding Topics gathers its data from a variety of sources, including Google Search, e-commerce sites like Amazon, social media platforms, podcasts, and industry publications. This combination of AI and human analysis allows the platform to identify emerging trends effectively.

What is the alternative to Exploding Topics?

Google Trends is a free alternative to Exploding Topics that allows users to see how searches are trending over time, though it requires more manual investigation. The Pinterest Trends Tool is another free alternative that is particularly useful for direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses looking for product and content ideas.

What is Exploding Topics used for?

Exploding Topics is helps businesses, marketers, and content creators identify emerging trends before they become mainstream by analyzing data from various sources like social media and search engines. The platform provides actionable insights to stay ahead of market shifts, develop strategic content, and make informed business decisions across different industries.