Google Trends gives you a free and real-time look into what the world searches for. Used well, it lets stock photographers see which trends are emerging and what stock photography niches have lots of search activity. Here’s a quick, step-by-step guide on using Google Trends with 2025-ready examples to turn search data into profitable stock photos.
1. Start with broad, forward-looking keywords
Open Trends’ Explore tab and search a seed term such as “augmented reality glasses.” Set the date range to “Past 5 years.” A smooth, staircase-shaped climb signals structural growth—ideal for evergreen content that will keep licensing long after upload.
2. Compare synonyms and niche angles
Use the Compare box to test alternative phrases: augmented reality glasses vs mixed-reality specs If one curve clearly outpaces the other, incorporate that phrasing in filenames, titles, and captions to surface higher in agency search results.
3. Filter by region and season
Switch the geography filter to your main buyer markets (e.g., “United States” or “Western Europe”). Then zoom the timeline to the last 12 months to uncover seasonal spikes. For instance, “regenerative travel” climbs each January when people book eco-friendly holidays—perfect timing for lifestyle shoots in nature lodges.
4. Harvest the Related Queries panel
Scroll to Related queries and toggle Rising. Breakout terms often reveal emerging sub-niches with little competition. If “smart ring sleep tracker” is surging, plan close-ups of biometric wearables or lifestyle scenes of athletes syncing data.
5. Translate insights into shot lists
| Trend | Search Insight | Shoot Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Augmented-reality glasses | Long-term climb; holiday‑shopping spikes | • Urban commuters overlaying navigation • Children learning with holo‑animals • POV headset composites |
| Regenerative travel | January peaks; steady annual growth | • Couples volunteering in mangrove planting • Eco‑lodges built from reclaimed wood • Drone vistas of restored reefs |
| Urban farming | Consistent rise in metro areas | • Rooftop hydroponic gardens • Diverse families harvesting micro‑greens • Chefs sourcing produce on site |
| Smart ring sleep tracker | Breakout in wearables category | • Macro product shots of rings • Professionals tracking vitals • Split‑screen app dashboards |
| Solar eclipse 2026 | Early uptick two years out | • Crowds wearing eclipse glasses • Silhouette landscapes during eclipse • Educational infographics |
6. Audit supply on your agencies
Before spending time on creating these photos, search your favorite agency for the rising phrase. If “urban farming rooftop” returns a few hundred results versus tens of thousands for “generic gardening,” you’ve likely discovered a promising niche.
7. Monitor and iterate
Trends shift. Bookmark promising queries or set a monthly calendar reminder to re-check Rising terms. Updating keywords on existing files when a synonym overtakes the old one can revive older portfolios without a single new shoot. This helps you keep ahead of the trends and often outcompete other contributors in new niches.
Automating the Keywording Process
If you have lots of images the keywording and titling process can take up quite a lot of time from your creative process. Luckily you can automate these tasks by using the StockPhotoKeywords.com analysis tool. Our tool is trained to provide optimal keywords and keyword ordering to give your images the best change on ranking high in the Adobe Stock algorithm. The metadata is written into your file so when you upload your image the fields are instantly filled with the right keywords and title.