At two in the morning, you’re looking through supplier catalogs to determine which products will sell and which will just gather dust in your warehouse. Everybody has been there. Choosing the right products at the right time is often the difference between smashing it and barely breaking even.
Here’s the thing: you can use Google Trends to identify the next viral products before they become huge, while your rivals are still speculating. This free tool can completely change your wholesale game and isn’t just for SEO nerds. It’s a product research crystal ball.
Google Trends provides you with the insider information you need to succeed, whether you’re sourcing for your Shopify store, creating a wholesale catalog, or attempting to schedule your next significant inventory purchase. Let’s go over how to use it specifically to identify the winning products that will have your customers clicking “add to cart” nonstop.
Google Trends: the All-time Secret Weapon
Think about it: before anyone buys a product, they search for it. Google Trends shows you exactly what people are searching for and when they’re searching for it. For wholesale sellers, this means you can:
- Spot trending products before they go mainstream (hello, early-mover advantage)
- Nail your inventory timing (no more missing out on peak seasons)
- Validate your product hunches (data beats gut feeling every time)
- Find those hidden gem niches (where competition is still low)
- Avoid dead-end investments (because nobody wants to be stuck with fidget spinners in 2025)
For whole sellers, the Google trend is a must-have tool. Everyone knows it, but can we make use of it?
Your 5-Step Game Plan
Start from the basics, step by step:
Step 1: Start Broad, Then Go Deep
Don’t jump straight into specific products. Start with broad categories that are buzzing right now in 2025: sustainability products, AI-powered gadgets, wellness tech, or remote work essentials.
Here’s how:
- Hit up Google Trends
- Search something broad like “eco-friendly products” or “smart home devices”
- Set your timeframe to “Past 12 months” (2025 moves fast)
- Pick your target market region
- Stick with “Web Search” for the full picture
What you’re hunting for:
- Steady upward curves (not just random spikes)
- Seasonal patterns you can predict and profit from
- Categories that haven’t peaked yet (room to grow = room to profit)
Step 2: Master the Seasonal Game
Timing is everything in wholesale. You need to order inventory 2-4 months before everyone starts buying. Miss the window, and you’re toast.
2025 seasonal winners to watch:
- January-February: Wellness products, home organization, productivity tools
- March-May: Outdoor gear, travel accessories, spring cleaning gadgets
- June-August: Pool/beach products, outdoor entertaining, cooling devices
- September-November: Back-to-school tech, cozy home products, holiday prep
- December: Last-minute gifts, New Year prep items
Pro tip: Set calendar reminders to start researching seasonal products 4-6 months before their peak season hits.
Step 3: Mine the “Related Queries” Gold
This is where the magic happens. Scroll down to “Related queries” and toggle to “Rising” queries—this is your treasure map to future bestsellers.
Look for anything marked “Breakout”—these products typically have exploded by 5000%+ and are your golden tickets to serious profits.
Example winning queries for 2025:
- “Sustainable phone case” (eco-conscious tech)
- “Desktop air purifier” (workspace wellness)
- “Portable coffee warmer” (WFH essentials)
- “Smart plant monitor” (tech meets gardening)
Step 4: Validate the Money-Making Potential
Just because people are searching doesn’t mean they’re buying. Test commercial intent by searching:
- “[Product] buy online”
- “[Product] price”
- “Best [product] 2025”
- “[Product] reviews”
If these buying-focused terms are trending too, you’ve found a winner with real purchase power.
Step 5: Compare and Conquer
Use Google Trends’ comparison tool to pick the strongest product variations.
Smart comparisons for 2025:
- “Wireless charger” vs “MagSafe charger” vs “charging station”
- “Blue light glasses” vs “computer glasses” vs “gaming glasses”
- “Resistance bands” vs “workout bands” vs “exercise bands”
The winner gets your inventory investment.
Avoid These 7 Rookie Mistakes
- Chasing One-Day Spikes
Don’t get excited by a keyword that shoots up overnight. It might just be a fluke or news story. Look for steady trends over weeks or months instead, as building a strategy often involves balancing these finds with more evergreen products. - Ignoring the Regional Data
A trend may look huge, but check if it’s only popular in one area. Selling a product with no demand in your target region can waste money and effort. - Using Broad Keywords Only
Searching just for “shoes” or “gadgets” is too general. Dig into specific product types or niches for sharper insights, a common technique when effectively using Google Trends for products. - Skipping the Comparison Step
If you don’t compare similar keywords, you might miss the one with the fastest growth. Always check 3–5 options to see which has the strongest momentum. - Overlooking Long-Term Patterns
Checking only the last 7 days can lead to chasing fads. Always review the past 12 months to see if a trend is stable or seasonal. - Not Acting on Insights
Some people gather lots of data but never use it. Once you spot a trend, move quickly to adjust inventory, marketing, or pricing. - Forgetting to Repeat Regularly
A one-time search won’t keep you ahead. Trends change, so make checking Google Trends part of your routine.
Your Daily Trend-Spotting Routine
Morning Hustle (10 minutes)
- Check overnight changes in your tracked keywords
- Scan Google’s “Trending Searches” for new opportunities
- Quick news check for trend-driving events
Weekly Deep Dive (30 minutes)
- Analyze one new product category
- Review your previous trend picks’ performance
- Update your tracking spreadsheet
Monthly Strategy Session (1 hour)
- Identify broader market shifts
- Plan seasonal inventory orders
- Set new category exploration goals
The Bottom Line
Google Trends helps you read the signals of a shifting market. With small, steady steps—10 minutes each day, 30 minutes each week, and an hour each month—you can stay informed and adapt to the world’s changing tastes.
You’ll start noticing subtle shifts that others miss, building a clearer picture of what’s coming next. And when the time feels right, you’ll already be prepared, ready to move from insight to action.
Your next bestseller is waiting in plain sight. All you need to do is look a little closer.
