How to Know What's Trending on Amazon

The digital age has transformed the way we shop, and Amazon stands at the forefront of this revolution. With its vast marketplace, Amazon offers a treasure trove of products, and understanding what’s trending can be a goldmine for sellers, marketers, and even curious shoppers. But how do you actually know what's trending on Amazon? Let’s dive into the strategies, tools, and techniques that can help you stay ahead of the curve.

1. The Power of Amazon Best Sellers

Amazon Best Sellers is one of the most straightforward ways to see what’s hot right now. This list is updated hourly, providing real-time data on what products are flying off the virtual shelves. Whether you're interested in electronics, books, or beauty products, this list offers a snapshot of consumer preferences. By regularly checking the Best Sellers list, you can identify trending products across various categories.

Why it matters: Knowing what’s topping the charts allows you to understand current consumer demand. For sellers, this means adjusting inventory, marketing strategies, and pricing to align with market trends. For buyers, it provides insights into popular and possibly high-quality items worth considering.

2. Explore the Movers & Shakers

Movers & Shakers is another valuable tool Amazon offers. This section highlights products that have seen significant sales rank improvements over the past 24 hours. Unlike Best Sellers, which showcase steady top performers, Movers & Shakers spotlight products gaining traction quickly.

Why it matters: This tool is particularly useful for spotting emerging trends. A product that suddenly jumps in sales rank may indicate a new trend, a successful marketing campaign, or even a viral moment on social media. Sellers can capitalize on this momentum by quickly adjusting their strategies or offering similar products.

3. Use Amazon Hot New Releases

Hot New Releases features products that have just hit the market but are already selling well. This list is updated hourly and is categorized by department, making it easy to find trending new products in your niche.

Why it matters: For those looking to stay on the cutting edge, Hot New Releases provides early indicators of what could become the next big thing. It’s especially useful for sellers aiming to introduce complementary products or for marketers looking to ride the wave of a new trend.

4. Trending Deals & Today’s Deals

Amazon’s Today’s Deals and Lightning Deals sections are excellent for discovering what’s trending in the world of discounts. Products featured here often reflect broader market trends, as Amazon typically selects items for deals that are already popular or seasonal.

Why it matters: For consumers, it’s a chance to snag a deal on trending items. For sellers, understanding which products Amazon is promoting can provide clues about larger market trends, helping them decide which items to discount or promote.

5. Amazon Keywords: The Hidden Goldmine

Understanding trending keywords on Amazon is crucial. Tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, and AMZScout allow you to analyze search volume data for different keywords on Amazon. This data reveals what consumers are searching for most frequently, providing insights into trending products.

Why it matters: Keywords drive traffic. If you know what consumers are searching for, you can optimize your listings or content to match these trends. For sellers, this could mean tweaking product titles, descriptions, or backend keywords to capture more traffic and increase sales.

6. The Role of Social Media and External Trends

Amazon trends don’t exist in a vacuum. Often, what’s trending on Amazon is influenced by broader trends on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. Viral challenges, celebrity endorsements, and even memes can drive significant spikes in product interest.

Why it matters: Keeping an eye on social media trends can give you a head start on what might soon trend on Amazon. Tools like Google Trends and BuzzSumo can help you track these external trends and predict their influence on Amazon.

7. Analyzing Customer Reviews and Ratings

Customer reviews are a goldmine of information. By analyzing common themes in reviews, you can identify emerging trends. For example, if multiple reviewers mention a particular feature they love, that feature might become a trend. Similarly, consistent complaints can signal areas for product improvement or opportunities for new product development.

Why it matters: Reviews not only help in understanding what’s trending but also in predicting future trends. Products with overwhelmingly positive feedback are likely to continue trending upwards, while those with negative feedback might see a decline.

8. Utilizing Amazon’s Wish Lists

Amazon Wish Lists can provide valuable insights into what products consumers are interested in, even if they haven’t purchased them yet. Tools like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa can help you track changes in product popularity based on Wish List activity.

Why it matters: Monitoring Wish Lists helps you understand consumer intent. If a product sees a spike in Wish List additions, it may soon trend in sales. Sellers can use this data to stock up on popular items or adjust their marketing strategies to target these potential buyers.

9. Leveraging Amazon’s Affiliate Program

Amazon’s affiliate program offers data on what products affiliates are promoting and what’s getting clicks. This data is often an early indicator of trending products, as affiliates typically focus on high-demand items to maximize their earnings.

Why it matters: By analyzing affiliate trends, you can get ahead of the curve. If you see a particular product or category gaining traction among affiliates, it’s likely that product is about to trend on Amazon.

10. Amazon's Early Reviewer Program

The Early Reviewer Program is designed to generate authentic reviews for new products. By analyzing which products are gaining traction in this program, you can spot potential trending items before they hit the mainstream.

Why it matters: Products in the Early Reviewer Program that quickly accumulate positive reviews are likely to trend soon. Sellers can use this program to boost visibility for their new products, while buyers can discover new, potentially trending items.

11. Exploring the "Frequently Bought Together" and "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" Sections

These sections provide insights into consumer behavior by showing which products are often purchased together. Analyzing these patterns can help you identify complementary products and trends.

Why it matters: This data can inform cross-selling and upselling strategies. For example, if a trending product is often bought with a particular accessory, it might be worth stocking that accessory as well.

12. Seasonal and Holiday Trends

Seasonal and holiday trends play a significant role in what’s trending on Amazon. During the lead-up to holidays like Christmas, Halloween, or Valentine’s Day, certain categories see spikes in popularity. By paying attention to these trends, you can predict what will trend during specific times of the year.

Why it matters: For sellers, understanding seasonal trends is crucial for inventory planning and marketing strategies. For buyers, it’s a way to stay ahead of the curve and purchase trending items before they sell out.

13. Analyzing Amazon’s Global Reach

Amazon operates in multiple countries, and trends can vary significantly between regions. By analyzing what’s trending in different countries, you can identify global trends and perhaps introduce a trending product from one region to another.

Why it matters: Global analysis can uncover opportunities for international expansion or sourcing new products that haven’t yet trended in your market. It’s also a way to understand cultural differences in consumer behavior.

14. The Importance of Data and Analytics Tools

Advanced data and analytics tools like Sellics, MerchantWords, and Ahrefs provide in-depth insights into Amazon trends. These tools offer data on search volumes, competitive analysis, and market trends, helping you make informed decisions.

Why it matters: In the highly competitive Amazon marketplace, data-driven decisions are key to staying ahead. These tools provide the granular data needed to identify and capitalize on trends before your competitors do.

15. Keeping an Eye on Competitors

Competitor analysis is another effective way to spot trends. By monitoring what your competitors are selling, how they’re pricing their products, and their customer feedback, you can gain insights into emerging trends.

Why it matters: Understanding your competitors’ strategies can help you stay competitive. If you notice a competitor having success with a particular product, it might be worth exploring that market yourself.

Conclusion: The Trend Advantage on Amazon

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, staying on top of trends is crucial for success on Amazon. Whether you’re a seller looking to optimize your inventory or a buyer wanting to stay ahead of the curve, these strategies and tools can help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of Amazon’s marketplace. By leveraging Amazon’s own resources like Best Sellers, Movers & Shakers, and Hot New Releases, alongside external tools and social media trends, you can ensure that you’re always in the know about what’s trending on Amazon. This knowledge not only gives you a competitive edge but also positions you to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the world’s largest online marketplace.