The most successful products on the market are born by performing thoroughly comprehensive research into what customers are actively looking for, not by building or choosing a product without research and hoping for the best.
This is where tools like Google Trends can give you a boost. Google Trends data can help you uncover what’s popular right now, so you can cater your offerings to the market and increase your chances of getting sales and loyal customers.
Let’s take a look at Google Trends, which products are trending this year, and how you can do keyword research to identify seasonal trends for your business.
What is Google Trends?
Google Trends is a tool that looks at how popular search terms are during a set period of time, in relation to the total search volume on Google. In other words, it shows how often people are typing in a certain search term compared to all the searches happening on Google in that timeframe. (It does this instead of telling you the exact number of searches.)
Google Trends helps you track interest in specific topics, keywords, or industries over time. It’s used every day by businesses, researchers, marketers, and people looking to understand trends and patterns in search behavior, identify emerging topics, and make data-driven decisions.
How can you use Google Trends to find popular products?
You can use Google Trends to analyze search data from Google Shopping, Images, News, and YouTube. Digging deeper, you can see trending searches across specific regions around the world, helping you make relevant choices for the audiences you’re looking to serve.
Say you run an online fashion boutique and you want to know which purses to add to your product line. You can start broad, seeing search volume for keywords like “purses,” “handbags,” “totes,” “clutches,” and “crossbody bags.”
You can keep getting more granular with your searches, seeing which bags perform better and if there are any regional or seasonal trends. Google Trends will also show you related queries so you can keep looking and narrow down to the most promising options.
Google Trends products: What to sell in 2024 and beyond
Let’s take a look at some solid Google Trends products this year, as well as some ideas for how you can incorporate them into your business.
Bamboo pajamas
Bamboo products have been getting a lot of attention lately because of their comfort and eco-friendliness. As you can see below, bamboo pajamas have been exploding in the past few years, making them a good choice.
If you look closer, you’ll see there’s a large spike around the holidays. This makes perfect sense: that’s when the weather is coldest in the US, making them a great gift.
Related queries include:
- Bamboo pajamas for kids
- Halloween-themed bamboo pajamas
- Matching family bamboo pajamas
Rotating car seat
Any parent with a small child will tell you that car seats can be frustrating. Rotating car seats help to alleviate this by rotating to face the door, allowing for parents to get their kids in and out more easily and quickly.
As you can see by the dotted line going upward at the end, Google is predicting that this search term will continue growing fast.
Detangling hair brushes
“Detangling hair brush” might not show much search volume, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t interest. Tangle Teezer, a leading brand in this market, gets searched by an average of 29 people each week.
To take advantage of this opportunity, you could:
- Compare the features of your brushes to those of the Tangle Teezer
- Use Google Ads to show up in sponsored search results for “Tangle Teezer”
- Build a brand focused on a hair detangling product
As shown in this chart, “Tangle Teezer” is searched more frequently than the generic term “detangling hair brush.”
Mushroom coffee
From chocolates to furniture to clothing designs, mushrooms are having a moment in 2024. They’re spiking in popularity among more health-conscious crowds, with mushroom coffee being an alternative or enhancement to regular coffee. Mushrooms can help with immunity support and focus, and many turn to mushrooms for medicinal and adaptogenic traits.
There are multiple types of mushrooms found in mushroom coffee products. Consider looking into the unique properties and popularity of each type, including:
- Lion’s mane
- Reishi
- Chaga
- Cordyceps
- King trumpet
- Turkey tail
Toe spacers
Toe spacers are simple products that aim to reduce foot pain and encourage long-term alignment. There’s been a huge surge in these products in the past couple of years, making them a good item to offer in your ecommerce store.
Looking at the related queries lower on the page, there are a lot of people asking about the benefits of toe spacers, what they do, and how they work. Consider taking the opportunity to educate customers with blogs, emails, and social media posts that answer these questions.
Laser hair removal
Over the past five years, Google Trends shows that “laser hair removal” has been stable with a slight upward trend. Looking at this, you can see that it’s a reliable type of product or service with consistent interest from people in the US. This means that it may be a good addition if you want a long-term “evergreen” offering instead of a temporarily trending one.
Looking at related queries and topics, you might consider things like:
- IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal products
- Facial hair removal tools
- At-home hair removal kits with aftercare items like moisturizers or exfoliators
Hair wax stick
Hair wax sticks are a simpler and easier way to hold hairstyles while creating definition and texture. They’re also much cleaner to use than a lot of other hair care products. TikTok is one of the reasons these products have become so popular in the past couple of years—you can find trending videos from beauty influencers that have garnered tens of millions of views.
How to utilize Google Trends for product research
Go to the Google Trends search bar and type the phrase or keyword you want to see data for. The tool will return a graph showing the search trend for that term, alongside related keywords and localized info.
Now that you’re ready, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Google Trends to find products for your retail store.
1. Use Google Trends to find niche opportunities
Before you start your retail business or introduce a new product or service, check Google Trends to see if your idea has potential.
If interest is low, it might indicate that demand is also low. This could suggest challenges in making the market aware of your product.
For example, if you notice increasing trends for minimalist jewelry on Google Trends, you might consider introducing a line of simple, elegant pieces. This responds to consumer interest in less ornate, more understated accessories.
If you observe a sharp rise in searches that quickly declines but then stabilizes, proceed with caution. This pattern could mean the product may not sustain long-term interest. The initial spike might be just a fleeting trend.
2. Identify seasonal trends to promote relevant items
Not all products maintain popularity throughout the year. For instance, demand for fleece jackets increases as the weather cools, peaking in November right before winter begins.
Products that might not seem seasonal at first glance often show cyclical buying patterns. Google Trends can reveal these patterns, like how searches for gardening tools spike in early spring as people prepare their gardens for planting.
To capitalize on these trends, run a Google Trends report for each of your product collections and identify any seasonal fluctuations. Use the data you gather to optimize your inventory and tailor your marketing campaigns to peak demand periods.
Google Trends is more than just a tool for spotting popular products. Retailers can use it to broaden their product lines and better organize their inventory.
3. Browse related product categories to find additional products
Did you know Google Trends does more than track product popularity? Retailers can also use it to expand their product lines and effectively organize their inventory.
For instance, outdoor retailers who search “camping hammocks” on Google Trends might find related brands such as REI, Kootek, and others. They could:
- Stock these well-liked hammock brands
- Create a dedicated display for various camping hammocks
- Include related products like the lay-flat hammocks in their promotions
4. Research different marketplaces to validate your ideas
Google Trends can show what people are searching for, but not all trending topics lead to actual purchases. So, it’s crucial to cross-reference this data with marketplace trends before investing in product development.
Many customers start their shopping on big ecommerce platforms. If a product is trending both there and on Google Trends, it’s likely a profitable item.
Take Wi-Fi routers as an example. Google Trends shows that worldwide searches for “Mesh Wi-Fi routers” have been stable and increasing over time.
When you check on Amazon, you find these routers marked as “Bestseller.” This means mesh Wi-Fi routers could be a good choice for electronics stores wanting to stock products that are in demand.
5. Use customer feedback to guide your decisions
Use customer feedback together with data from the Google Trends tool to launch products or services that genuinely address customer needs.
Ask your customers open questions to understand what issues they’re currently facing. What are their main challenges? What changes would make a real difference in their lives?
For example, if you’re considering introducing organic skin care products, Google Trends can help you track the rising interest in organic and natural beauty solutions.
By aligning your product offerings to meet these interests, you can effectively tap into a growing market and attract new customers early on.
What to look for on Google Trends
You’ve identified product ideas and seasonal trends, and validated your research. Now, look for these three key signals in Google Trends data:
Location-based searches
Use Google Trends data to pinpoint future physical locations for your business. If you run a sneaker brand, for example, check which states show the highest interest in sneaker-store-related searches. A blue map of the US could reveal that New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are top contenders. Consider these states seriously when planning to open new stores.
Google Trends can also help businesses in different industries save money. For example, furniture brands can use it to find where customer demand is highest. They can then encourage customers to pick up products directly from nearby factories. This method cuts down on shipping costs and simplifies the buying process for customers.
Specific phrases
Google Trends helps you refine your marketing, whether it’s outbound or inbound. You can compare different phrases and keywords to find the right ones for your marketing materials.
Consider the war-gaming industry as an example. Terms like “tabletop games,” “strategy board games,” and “wargaming” have different appeals. To understand which term resonates most with your audience, start with Google Trends.
Search for one term, such as “wargaming”:
The bar chart shows that searches for “wargaming” have remained steady over the past five years.
This initial graph might not tell you much by itself. Add other terms by using the Compare feature:
The line chart you get reveals the search trends for three gaming-related keywords, with “wargaming” being the most popular.
This comparison shows that “wargaming” is the most-searched term. Armed with this insight, you can confidently put this phrase front and center in your marketing campaigns to attract war-gaming enthusiasts.
Rising and breakout terms
Explore “rising” and “breakout” terms on Google Trends to see what’s gaining popularity. Google Trends usually shows past data for keywords, which hints at what might become popular in the future. But rising and breakout terms give a closer look at what’s starting to trend right now.
To find these terms, select the Rising option in the related queries or topics reports. This tool points out phrases that are just beginning to pick up speed, helping you spot trends before they fully take off.
Also, keep an eye on phrases marked as Breakout. This label means that the search volume for the term has spiked by more than 5,000%. For instance, “white sneakers,” “black sneakers,” and “women’s Nike shoes” have all been tagged as breakout terms for “women’s sneakers.” Using this information can help you act early on upcoming trends.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for the next hot products to sell, or a tried-and-true niche that has stable and reliable demand, Google Trends should be one of the tools in your research toolbox.
It can help you identify search interest, point out breakthrough keywords and rising search terms, and hone in on the products most likely to be successful in your store. While it can’t tell you exactly what will sell, it can help set you on the path to success.
Google Trends products FAQ
What is the Google Trends tool?
Google Trends is an analytics platform that gathers data from Google search results. When you type in a phrase, like “handmade soap,” it shows how the search patterns for that term have changed over time.
How do I find trending products on Google Trends?
To discover trending products, start by visiting the Google Trends homepage, where you’ll find a list of the top search terms from the past week. You can also search for a specific product category and use the Google Shopping filter to refine your results. Additionally, check the “related queries” section to uncover more detailed data about specific products.
What are the most searched products on Google?
The most searched for products on Google, according to Google’s 2023 Shopping Trends report, are:
- Electric bikes
- Cadence capsules
- Massagers
- Mini nugget ice makers
- Foldable aviator sunglasses
- Neck fans
- Claw clips
- Dog shoes for winter
- Instant print cameras
- Rice cookers