The Full Guide to Using Google Trends for Dropshipping in 2025

The year is 2025. The internet moves faster than ever, and trends come and go before you’ve even finished your morning coffee. 

Hang on… Is that just the nature of eCommerce, or do we need to take a deep breath?

Regardless, staying ahead of trends isn’t just a party trick cuz it’s the key to running a successful dropshipping business. And that’s where Google Trends comes in.

It goes beyond some random data tool collecting dust in Google’s toolbox. It’s a goldmine of insights, showing you exactly what people are searching for, when they’re searching for it, and whether that hot new product is actually worth your time or just another passing fad.

Let’s break down exactly how to use Google Trends to find winning products and stay ahead of the dropshipping game.

What Is Google Trends?

Imagine this: You’ve got a brilliant idea for a dropshipping business. You’re convinced it’s the next big thing, bigger than fidget spinners, bigger than those viral heatless curling rods, maybe even bigger than Crocs’ unexpected comeback. But there’s one problem: You have no idea if people actually care about it.

Enter Google Trends and it’s totally FREE.

Think of it as your personal crystal ball for what the internet is obsessing over at any given moment. It doesn’t predict the future (sadly, no lotto numbers here), but it does show you exactly what people are searching for, where they’re searching from, and how interest changes over time.

Here’s how it works:

• Search Interest Over Time: You type in a keyword, and Google Trends shows a graph of how popular that search term has been over a chosen period.
  
• Regional Interest: Google Trends breaks it down by country, state, or even city, so you know exactly where your target audience is.
  
• Related Topics & Queries: This is where the magic happens. Google Trends shows you related searches, helping you find new opportunities (or warning signs).
  
• Comparisons: The tool lets you compare multiple search terms so you can see which one has more long-term potential.

Basically, it’s like having insider info on what people actually want, without needing to bribe a market research firm. And if you’re in the dropshipping game, that’s the kind of power you can’t afford to ignore.

5 Benefits of Google Trends in Dropshipping

Google Trends isn’t just a fancy graph generator; it’s a goldmine for dropshippers who actually want to know what people are searching for (instead of just guessing and hoping for the best).

Here’s why it deserves a spot in your dropshipping toolkit:

• Spot trends before they blow up: Google Trends helps you track rising searches so you can stock up before the market gets saturated. Example? Back in 2020, searches for “blue light glasses” skyrocketed right before everyone started working from home. The stores that caught on early? They cashed in big time.
  
• Avoid dead products: Not all products are winners. If you check Google Trends and see a search term nose-diving faster than a dropped phone, that’s your sign to steer clear. Selling fidget spinners in 2025? Yeah… don’t do that.
  
• Target the right locations: Just because something is trending somewhere doesn’t mean it’s trending everywhere. Google Trends shows you the best regions, so you can run hyper-targeted ads and stop wasting money on people who couldn’t care less.
  
• Seasonal spikes = easy sales: Ever wonder why Christmas decorations show up in stores before Halloween is even over? Because businesses know when demand is coming. Google Trends helps you time your inventory so you don’t miss out.
  
• Keep an eye on the competition: If your competitor is selling a product that’s blowing up, Google Trends can tell you if it’s an actual demand spike or just good marketing. 

Bottom line? Google Trends takes the guesswork out of dropshipping. It’s like having a crystal ball, except it’s free and doesn’t involve any questionable fortune-telling.

How To Use Google Trends For Dropshipping

If you want to make smart moves in your dropshipping business, you can actually use this Google Trends info to level up your business by:

Identifying Trending Products and Niches

1. Search for Trending Niche

Picking a dropshipping niche can feel like throwing darts in the dark. Should we go broad and sell everything? Or zero in on a specific audience?

We’re all about working smarter, not harder; and Google Trends is a game-changer to see what’s trending right now, so we’re not stuck selling products no one actually wants.

Let’s say we’re thinking about launching a jewelry store. With Google Trends, we can check whether search interest has been steady over the past 12 months (or even 5 years!). If we see a nice, healthy trend line, that’s a green light.

Still torn between niches? No problem. We can compare searches for "gold jewelry" vs "silver jewelry" and instantly see which one is in higher demand. (Spoiler: gold jewelry wins.)

So our niche is either silver or gold jewelry. Why? Because we know that there is a demand for these niches. We only need to find out what type of jewelry these are. In this demonstration, we will focus on gold jewelry only.  

Pro moves to make the most of Google Trends:

• Start broad; use the “All Categories” filter to get the big picture.
• Search with general keywords related to your industry to spot promising niches.
• Use the comparison tool to pit different niches against each other and find the winner.

Why waste time guessing when we can let data do the heavy lifting?

2. Choose Products to Sell with Google Trends

Now that we’ve nailed down our niche, it’s time to get specific. I sat down, did some brainstorming, and came up with a list of potential gold jewelry products:

• Gold rings
• Gold necklaces
• Gold bracelets
• Gold hoop earrings
• Gold anklets
• Gold pendants

We won’t go through every single one (unless you want to be here all day), but let’s take a closer look at how to use Google Trends to spot a winner.

The process is simple, obviously. We just need to pop a few keywords into Google Trends and compare them. Here’s what we found:

🔵 Gold rings
🔴 Gold necklaces

Here is the chart over the past 12 months:

Gold necklaces? A steady favorite all year round. Gold rings? Definitely higher interest (between 50 and 75), their popularity also tends to spike at certain times (wedding season, anyone?). So what’s the move here? We go all in on gold necklaces for consistent sales and bring in gold rings when they’re trending to cash in on seasonal demand.

This is exactly how I use Google Trends to make smart product choices. Now that we’ve got our winning products, the next step is finding reliable suppliers to bring them to life. 

3. Spot Seasonal Trends

Timing is everything when it comes to selling trending products. And let me tell you, Google Trends is my secret weapon for spotting seasonal patterns before the competition catches on.

We already know what gold jewelry products we want to sell, but what if we want to take things up a notch by adding a product that sells like crazy during specific times of the year? That’s where checking long-term search trends (think five years back) can be a game-changer.

Let’s take “couple rings” as an example.

I popped "couple rings" into Google Trends, set the timeline to the past 1 year, and boom! A clear pattern emerged. The demand for couples rings spikes every romantic holiday, usually hitting its peak between the Autumn season and Valentine’s Day. Then, like clockwork, it drops off once holiday proposals and gift-giving season end.

Why does this matter? Because if you’re selling a couple of rings, you don’t want to wait until February 13th to start marketing them!

Here’s the move:

• Start listing and promoting a couple of rings by early January to catch the Valentine’s Day shoppers.
• Plan your holiday campaigns by November to target those looking for the perfect romantic gift.
• Use trend data from past years to anticipate the exact timing of these spikes.

By preparing in advance, you can get a head start on your competitors and be ready when the demand soars. That’s how you work smarter, not harder. 

Checking If a Trend Is Worth Dropshipping

1. Steady Growth vs. Fads

Alright, let’s talk about the difference between a long-term win and a passing fad. I don’t want to waste my time (or yours) chasing trends that fizzle out overnight. So, how do we figure out if a product is actually worth dropshipping? We let the numbers do the talking.

First, I hop onto Google Trends and type in the product I’m eyeing. Here’s what I look for:

• A steady upward climb: If I see a gradual rise over time, that’s a green flag. It tells me people are consistently interested, not just hyped for a few weeks.
  
• Wild spikes and crashes: If the chart looks like a heart rate monitor, I get cautious. That’s the hallmark of a short-lived trend. Sure, I might make quick cash, but it’s not something I’d build a long-term business around.
  
• A flat line with random bumps: If the graph is mostly dead with the occasional blip, I move on. No point investing in something no one is searching for.

Let’s talk about the Y-axis; the vertical numbers on a Google Trends chart that everyone stares at but not everyone understands. That scale from 0 to 100? It’s not showing search volume. It’s showing interest; how hot (or not) a search term is over time. 

And no, Google isn’t about to reveal the secret formula behind those numbers. If they did, every marketer (including me) would be gaming the system.

• A score of 0 means there was absolutely no interest; no searches, no curiosity. 
• A score of 100 means peak popularity, the moment when everyone is searching for that term. 
• Everything in between represents different levels of interest. 

So, what’s a “good” score? Some experts might say you should only focus on scores above 50, but that’s not the best way to look at it. Even a score of 25 means people are searching for that term, which means there’s interest. Instead of ignoring it, you have a chance to step in and meet that demand.

2. Check Regional Demand

Alright, let’s talk about regional demand in Google Trends because, trust me, I’ve learned the hard way that not all trends are created equal. Just because something is trending somewhere doesn’t mean it’s trending everywhere. And if we don’t pay attention to where people are actually searching, we might end up trying to sell winter coats to people sipping coconuts on a beach. Not exactly a winning strategy.

When I search for a term in Google Trends, I always check the map that pops up. 

It shows me where the interest is coming from, with darker shades meaning higher search interest. But here’s where it gets tricky, cuz those numbers aren’t search volume. They’re of relative interest. So if I see that Hawaii has a score of 100 and Wisconsin has 60 for “jewelry,” it doesn’t mean there were twice as many searches in Hawaii. It just means that, compared to other searches in each country, “jewelry” is more of a big deal in Hawaii.

So what do we do with this info? We get smart about it. I click on different cities, zoom into specific regions, and make sure the demand actually lines up with where I want to sell. Because if I just chase the highest numbers without thinking, I’ll end up with a stockpile of products no one wants, (and though I don’t know about you), but I’d rather not be stuck with a warehouse full of regrets.

3. Related Queries & Related Topics

Now, let’s talk about Related Queries and Related Topics; aka, the part of Google Trends that tells us why people are searching for something. Because let’s be real, not all searches are created equal.

Take "hat" as an example. You check Google Trends, and boom, the interest is climbing. Great news, right? Well, not so fast. If you scroll down to the Related Queries and Rising Topics sections, things start to get interesting.

Instead of a general demand for everyday hats, you see “vixen hat” at +1,800% and “Phillies City Connect hat” at +1,450%. What does that mean? It means people aren’t just looking for any hat; they want something specific. If you’re planning to stock up on generic dad hats, you might end up disappointed. But if you’re paying attention to what’s trending (like sports merch or a viral brand collab), you can ride that wave instead of missing out.

And then there’s the “Related Topics” tag. That’s Google Trends’ way of saying, Hey, this search is blowing up fast. If you see a breakout query that aligns with what you can sell, that’s your golden ticket. But remember: breakouts don’t always last if a hat trend is tied to a specific event, like the Dodgers making the World Series. You'd better move quickly, because that demand might disappear once the hype dies down.

So, the lesson here? Don’t just look at the main trend. Dig into the details. Because sometimes, the difference between a winning product and a total flop is just knowing what people actually want.

That’s all about what product might work when you start a dropshipping business. Now you have the “core” in your hand, how to make it be aware of is even a harder task. We can still use Google Trends, let’s find out how in the upcoming part.

Now that you own the “perfect weapon” to win in dropshipping. But just to let you know, no matter how trending the product is, it won’t sell without the right platform. A strong online presence ensures your products reach more shoppers. If you don’t have an online store yet, Shopify makes it easy to build one with a simple drag-and-drop interface.

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Using Google Trends for Marketing & Scaling

Google Trends offers more than just looking for trending stuff; it gives us more insights than we can imagine. Yup, it does! It helps you regarding Advertising, regarding the Timeline of your Marketing Campaigns and Strategies to Upsell and bundle your products, too:

1. Better Ad Targeting

Alright, let’s talk about not wasting money on ads because nobody wants to throw cash at people who couldn’t care less. That’s where Google Trends comes in.

Say you’re selling winter boots. You could just run ads year-round and hope for the best… or you could check Google Trends and see when people actually start searching for them. Spoiler: it’s probably not in July.

Look at the trend chart. If interest in “winter boots” spikes every October and peaks in December, guess when you should ramp up your ad spend? That’s right: before the wave hits, not after. If you've done this right, you would get in front of shoppers right when they’re starting to search, meaning lower ad costs and better conversion rates.

Now, let’s take it further. Scroll down to the Regional Interest section. You may see that searches are huge in Vermont of 100 score but barely exist in Arizona at only 10 (too much different, right?) Instead of wasting money showing ads to people who will never buy, you can focus your budget where demand is highest.

And if you check Related Queries, you might find gold, like a breakout trend for “cute winter boots meaning”. You might wonder what it means and why people search for something so weird like that. But it’s about the code mentioning your product. You can utilize this to make your product stand out while people are searching for it, or just simply boost ads more on “cute winter boots”. 

That’s a chance to fine-tune your targeting even more. Instead of bidding on expensive, broad keywords like “boots,” you can go after a specific audience that’s already looking for what you’re selling.

Bottom line? Google Trends doesn’t just show what people are searching for; it tells you who, where, and when. Use it right, and your ads will hit the right people at the right time, without wasting a fortune.

2. Timing Your Campaigns

It’s quite similar to running the ads; this time, you search for a specific occasion or holiday. With Google Trends, you can actually see when people start getting interested in your product, and that’s when you strike.

Imagine you’re selling Halloween costumes. You could just guess when people start shopping, or you could pull up a Google Trends chart and see the truth. (Hint: it’s not October 30th.) 

The trend line will show a slow rise even in early August, a big spike in mid-October, and a crash right after Halloween. That means your campaign shouldn’t start when everyone is already buying; it should start when searches begin climbing. That way, you catch people before the rush, when ads are cheaper and competition is lower.

Now, let’s check Related Queries. Maybe “Couples Halloween Costumes” is suddenly skyrocketing this year (thanks, Hollywood). That’s your signal to tweak your ads, optimize your product listings, and maybe even order more stock before it sells out.

The same logic applies to holiday sales, summer products, or even viral trends. If you’re launching a new product, don’t just throw ads out there and hope for the best. Check the trend line, time it right, and ride the wave instead of chasing it.

3. Find Related Niches & Upsell Ideas

Come back to the above-mentioned product: hats, classic, stylish, and, apparently, still relevant (thankfully, society hasn’t abandoned headwear just yet). You hop onto Google Trends, type in “hat,” and check the Related Topics & Queries section. Suddenly, you see “hatpin” trending. Wait, what? People are searching for fancy little hat accessories?

That’s your golden ticket. If people are interested in hats, and they’re also searching for hatpins, you’ve just found an upsell opportunity. Someone buying a vintage-style fedora? Offer them a hatpin to match. Selling baseball caps? Maybe a trendy embroidered patch would do the trick.

This works for any niche. Selling yoga mats? If “yoga blocks” or “resistance bands” are trending in Related Topics, you’ve got an instant upsell bundle. Running a pet store? If “dog raincoat” is climbing the charts, maybe it’s time to stock up and cross-sell with your dog collars.

4. Look for Deeper SEO Insights

Apart from just focusing on ads or campaigns meant to be on some big occasions, SEO is what keeps you on top among competitors during the “normal” day occasions. There are many things to do with SEO, like optimizing keywords, blogs, and different metrics. Sure, Google Trends can help you here.

Let’s say you’re selling hats (yes, we’re back to hats again). You type “hat” into Google Trends, and the search interest is steady, but then you check the Related Queries section. Suddenly, you see a breakout term: “Phillies City Connect hat” skyrocketing by 1,450%. That’s not just a small spike; that’s a tidal wave of interest.

Now, if you're only optimizing your store for “hats” or “baseball caps,” you're missing out on a surge of organic traffic. Instead, you should start creating content, product pages, or blog posts around this specific trending term. A simple “Best Phillies City Connect Hats for 2025” article could pull in thousands of eyeballs, because Google literally told you people are searching for it.

This method isn’t just for eCommerce, either. Running a fitness blog? If “low-impact HIIT” is climbing the trends, write about it now before your competitors do. Selling skincare? If “ceramide sunscreen” is on the rise, get it on your product pages ASAP.

Bottom line: Google Trends isn’t just showing you what’s hot; it’s showing you what people are already searching for. Use that to your advantage, and let Google’s own data tell you what content to create next.

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How to Best Use Google Trends with Other Tools?

Google Trends is great; don’t get me wrong. But relying on it alone to make business decisions? That’s like using a compass in the middle of the ocean and hoping you’ll magically drift toward land. You need more tools in your arsenal to get the full picture.

Let’s break down exactly how to combine Google Trends with other platforms to get real insights (and not just pretty line graphs).

1. Use Dropshipping-Specific Tools to Validate Suppliers

So you’ve found a trend. The interest is growing, search volume looks solid, and social media is buzzing about it. Now what? You need a reliable supplier, because a trending product is worthless if you can’t get it to customers fast enough.

That’s where dropshipping tools like AliExpress Dropshipping Center, Spocket, or DSers come in. These platforms help you:

• Find reliable suppliers with high ratings and fast shipping.
  Check order volume trends to see if other sellers are already moving the product.
• Compare pricing so you’re not overpaying and killing your margins.

Example:
Google Trends shows that "minimalist leather wallets" are surging in popularity. You check AliExpress Dropshipping Center, and you see multiple suppliers with thousands of orders and positive reviews; that’s a good sign. But if most suppliers have low order counts and slow shipping, it might be too early or not worth the risk.

2. Cross-Check with Keyword Research Tools

Google Trends shows interest over time, but what it doesn’t show you is search volume; how many people are actually typing this into Google every month. That’s where tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Ubersuggest come in.

Say you see a trend spike for "reversible bucket hats." You think: Wow, I should jump on this! But then you check Ahrefs and realize the monthly search volume is barely 1,000. That’s not a trend; it’s a tiny pocket of interest that might fade next week.

Pro tip:
If Google Trends shows rising interest, and a keyword tool shows high volume (10 K+ searches/month), you’ve hit the jackpot.

3. Validate Demand with Google Ads

Let’s say you’re still unsure whether a trend is legit or just a passing fad. That’s where Google Ads’ Keyword Planner comes in.

Here’s the move:

• Plug the trending keyword into Google Ads.
• Look at CPC (cost per click) and competition levels.
  If CPC is high and competition is fierce, that’s a sign businesses are willing to throw money at this keyword, which means there’s serious demand.
• If CPC is low and competition is zero, the trend might be too new or not commercially viable yet.
  

Example:
You see “retro aviator sunglasses” trending. You check Google Ads, and the CPC is $2.50 with high competition; that means brands are already fighting for ad space. That’s your green light to start optimizing for it.

4. Use Social Listening Tools to Catch Early Trends

Google Trends is great for tracking search behavior, but if you want to catch trends before they hit mainstream, you need to hang out where trends begin: social media.

Tools like BuzzSumo, Brandwatch, or even just TikTok’s search bar can show real-time buzz around a topic.

Example:
Say you notice “vintage trucker hats” is slowly climbing on Google Trends. Before you invest in stock, head over to TikTok and search “vintage trucker hat.” If you see thousands of videos and influencers hyping it up, congrats; you’ve spotted a trend before it explodes.

5. Check Competitor Activity with Shopify and Amazon Data

If you really want to validate a trend, look at what your competitors are doing.

• Use Shopify’s trending products section to see what’s selling.
  Use Amazon’s Movers & Shakers to check what’s blowing up in real-time.
• Use AliExpress' dropshipping center to see order volume spikes on trending products.

If you notice Google Trends interest rising, and suddenly your competitors are ramping up sales for that product, you'd better move fast before the market gets flooded.

Google Trends is powerful, but it’s not a crystal ball. To truly win in eCommerce, marketing, or content creation, you need to combine it with other tools. Check search volume, test demand, listen to social buzz, and stalk competitors like your business depends on it, because it does.

Key Takeaways: Use Trends, Stay Ahead, Sell Smarter

If there’s one thing to take away from this, it’s that Google Trends is your secret weapon, but only if you use it the right way. Dropshipping isn’t just about selling what’s hot right now; it’s about spotting trends before they blow up and riding that wave before the competition catches on.

So, how do we do that? Simple: 

• Track steady growth, not fads. Long-term trends bring consistent sales.
• Check regional demand. Target the right market.
• Analyze search interest properly. 
• Dive into related queries. See what people are actually searching for.
• Time your campaigns wisely. Launch your ads before demand peaks.
• Find upsell opportunities. Look for related products to maximize profits.
• Use other tools to validate demand. 

At the end of the day, Google Trends won’t make you rich overnight. But if you use it strategically, cross-check your findings, and move fast when the data is right, you’ll always be one step ahead of the competition.