It’s been some time since I last shared insights on using the free Google Trends Analytics Tool to uncover profitable stock photography and videography trends. If you missed my previous posts, you can catch up here and here.

As we approach the new year, don’t leave your business to chance. I’ve brainstormed FIVE trending topics for 2025 that could ensure you steady sales – let’s get started!

What will be trending in 2025?

After some brainstorming and research, I’ve identified five key trends that are likely to shape 2025. These are keyword searches you should keep an eye on and consider creating concepts for, with the aim of uploading them to multiple stock sites.

Important note: The success of these trends depends on your technical execution and keywording. To truly stand out and get picked up by buyers, make sure your content is crafted at a high standard.

5. “Artificial Intelligence – AI Agents“

No surprise here as AI continues to dominate, and 2025 will be no exception. One subtopic to watch closely is AI agents. These increasingly sophisticated bots are capable of handling complex, multi-step tasks autonomously, freeing up humans for more strategic work. This shift is poised to disrupt multiple industries.

According to Deloitte, 25% of enterprises using generative AI are expected to deploy AI agents by 2025, with that number doubling to 50% by 2027.

While AI is a broad and technical field, focusing on AI agents could help you create concepts that are highly relevant in 2025. It’s a topic that businesses and consumers alike will find compelling.

It’s quite a technical subject so the video below breaks it down for beginners.

How well is it trending over at Google Trends?

4. “Virtual Reality Headset“

I’m often a bit late to the tech game, but when I discover something I like, I’m all in. Take my recent experience with the Meta Quest 3 Virtual Reality headset in Luxembourg, for example, once I tried it, I was hooked although one of the games that I had to move gave me some major motion sickness. The immersive experience is incredible, and VR is no longer just for gaming; it’s being applied in education, travel, and work in exciting new ways.

With VR technology still in its early stages, there are countless opportunities to create stock content related to this trend. A well-executed clip showing someone (model-released) using VR could easily become a hot seller for years to come.

How well is it trending over at Google Trends?

3. “World War III”

Shifting gears away from technology, a topic that’s starting to pick up significant momentum is the potential for a global conflict. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, many believe we may be on the brink of another world war. The growing divide between NATO countries and allies and an alliance of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea with their proxies is sparking this conversation.

As a history enthusiast, I find it fascinating to observe parallels between today’s tensions and past conflicts. For instance, the transition from horses to tanks in WWI was monumental and now we’re seeing drones take center stage in modern warfare, replacing traditional tanks for both fighting and surveillance.

The concept of “Drone Warfare” is already a hot topic in military circles, and creating stock imagery or footage related to this could capture interest. It’s on my to-do list but I’m going to have to get creative and improve my photoshop skills, no doubt!

Check out how the term: “Drone Warfare” is now trending.

How well is WWIII trending over at Google Trends?

This is a vastly broad subject so you may want to focus on creating practical concepts, such as “nuclear war preparation”, which is trending.

2. “Cryptocurrencies”

I’ve been holding on for dear life (HODL) to numerous cryptocurrencies since early 2020 and after years of ups and downs, I’m finally seeing some profit as Bitcoin nears the $100,000 mark. The exciting part now is that institutional adoption of crypto is gaining momentum, and it’s likely to grow even more in 2025, especially with the ongoing uncertainty in global markets.

If you’re creating stock content related to crypto, focus on themes of mass adoption, blockchain technology, and crypto investment trends. These are all areas that will likely be in high demand when it comes to creating profitable stock concepts.

How well is it trending on Google Trends?

1. “Full Self Driving”

While this might be a trend that fully matures well after 2025, it’s clear that self-driving cars are a technology to watch. Companies like Tesla are pushing the envelope on autonomous vehicles, with Elon Musk boldly predicting that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving tech will be fully autonomous by 2025.

In fact, some cities, like San Francisco and New York, already have fully driverless cars operating with services like Waymo. If you’re planning to create content in this space, focus on the growing interest and regulatory challenges surrounding self-driving cars. The future is coming, and it’s driverless which should prove quite problematic to those who rely on cars to make a living!

How well is it trending over at Google Trends?

Conclusion

As we’ve explored, the key to success in the stock business is staying ahead of emerging trends and understanding where the market is heading. The five trending topics I’ve shared represent exciting opportunities for content creators like you. However, simply identifying a trend is only the first step.

To truly capitalise on these opportunities, brainstorming and research are essential. By investing time into understanding the nuances of each trend, you can create highly relevant, in-demand concepts that stand out in a crowded marketplace.

But even the best ideas won’t succeed without the right technical execution. Whether it’s video footage, images, or digital assets, your work needs to be crafted with precision and quality. The technical level at which you execute your concepts, along with accurate and effective keywording, will play a huge role in ensuring that your assets are discoverable and attractive to buyers.

Stay ahead of the curve, and good luck with your creative endeavors! Until next time.

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About Alex

I’m an eccentric guy, currently based in Lisbon, Portugal on a quest to visit all corners of the world and capture stock images & footage. I’ve devoted ten years to making it as a travel photographer / videographer and freelance writer. I hope to inspire others by showing an unique insight into a fascinating business model.

I’ve gone all in on submitting book cover images to Arcangel Images. Oh and was also flying a DJI Mavic 2s drone regularly (although it crashed into Botafogo Bay on NYE – here is the story), which I’ve upgraded to a Mini 3 Pro and the Air3.

I’m proud to have written a book about my adventures which includes tips on making it as a stock travel photographer – Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography