# Trend Analysis

> Market trend analysis and product-trend mapping expertise. Covers how to interpret trend data, align products to cultural moments, and create trend-informed campaign angles. Load this skill during the Creative Research Phase when running trend_spotter and product_trend_mapper.

- Skill: `googlecloudplatform/trend-analysis` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add googlecloudplatform/trend-analysis`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/googlecloudplatform/trend-analysis/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Marketing & Growth
- Author: GoogleCloudPlatform (https://skillmd.com/u/googlecloudplatform)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/googlecloudplatform/trend-analysis

---


# Trend Analysis Skill

## How to Present Trend Findings to the User

After running `trend_spotter`, present findings as:

**Market Trends Discovered:**

| #   | Trend  | Scope       | Relevance                                  |
| :-- | :----- | :---------- | :----------------------------------------- |
| 1   | [name] | Macro/Micro | [one-line why it matters for this product] |
| 2   | [name] | Macro/Micro | [one-line why it matters]                  |
| 3   | [name] | Macro/Micro | [one-line why it matters]                  |

After running `product_trend_mapper`, present as:

**Product-Trend Alignment:**

- **Best Match:** [trend] — [fit explanation, one sentence]
- **Strong Match:** [trend] — [fit explanation, one sentence]
- **Opportunity:** [trend] — [untapped angle, one sentence]

## Trend Types

### Macro Trends (12-36 months)

Large-scale cultural shifts that affect multiple industries.

- Examples: sustainability, AI integration, wellness economy, creator economy
- Campaign use: Position the brand within a larger cultural narrative

### Micro Trends (3-12 months)

Niche movements gaining traction in specific communities.

- Examples: #CleanGirlAesthetic, dopamine dressing, biohacking
- Campaign use: Tap into specific audience passion points for relevance

### Viral Moments (1-4 weeks)

Short-lived cultural events, memes, or social media phenomena.

- Campaign use: Real-time marketing tie-ins (use cautiously — can feel forced)

## Product-Trend Mapping Criteria

Rate each trend-product alignment on:

1.  **Relevance** (1-5): How naturally does the product connect to this trend?
1.  **Timing** (1-5): Is the trend peaking, rising, or declining?
1.  **Audience Overlap** (1-5): Does the trend's audience match the product's
    target?
1.  **Visual Potential** (1-5): Can this trend create compelling visual content?
1.  **Differentiation** (1-5): Are competitors already using this trend?

**Score > 20**: Best match — build the campaign around this trend **Score
15-20**: Strong match — use as a supporting angle **Score 10-15**: Opportunity —
test in one segment or ad variation

## Integrating Trends into Campaigns

When passing trend data to `reference_guidelines` for campaign generation:

1.  Summarize the top 3 trends in 2-3 sentences each
1.  Include specific keywords, hashtags, and cultural references
1.  Note which audience segments each trend resonates with
1.  Specify visual aesthetics associated with each trend
1.  Flag any trends competitors are already using (to differentiate)

## Common Mistakes

- Forcing a trend that doesn't naturally fit the product
- Using expired trends (check the lifecycle stage)
- Ignoring the trend's core audience (trend audiences and product audiences must
  overlap)
- Surface-level trend adoption (hashtag slapping vs genuine integration)