---
title: "Using Filters"
url: "https://help.spate.nyc/en/article/using-filters"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-05-07T20:07:23.470Z"
---

# Using Filters

Filters help you **take action on trends once you understand their lifecycle stage**.

They make it easier to:

-   Identify opportunities
-   Prioritize trends
-   Answer specific business questions

Filters don’t replace the Trend Lifecycle — they help you **apply it**.

* * *

## Lifecycle = Strategy

The Trend Lifecycle tells you:

-   Where a trend sits in its evolution
-   Whether it is emerging, scaling, dominant, or declining
-   How much risk or opportunity exists

This is your **strategic foundation**.

Before using filters, always ask:

> **What stage is this trend in?**

* * *

## Filters = Execution

Once you understand the lifecycle stage, filters help you:

-   Narrow down trends
-   Focus on specific signals
-   Execute based on your goals

Each filter is designed to answer a clear question, such as:

-   What is trending right now?
-   What is growing long-term?
-   Where is there low competition?
-   Which trends are organic vs paid?

* * *

## How Filters Answer Business Questions

Instead of asking:

> “Which filters should I use?”

Start with:

> **“What am I trying to find?”**

Then choose the filter that matches your goal:

-   **Find emerging signals →** Trending This Week (TikTok / Instagram)
-   **Identify long-term growth →** Trending This Year (Google)
-   **Find whitespace →** Whitespace Opportunity (Google/TikTok)
-   **Validate cultural momentum →** Organic Trends (TikTok)

Lifecycle tells you **what a trend means**.

Filters tell you **what to do next**.

* * *

## How to Use Sorting

Sorting helps you prioritize trends based on your objective.

Different sorting methods surface different types of opportunities:

-   **Sort by Volume**  
    → Identifies the largest, most established trends  
    → Best for understanding **market size and mainstream demand**
-   **Sort by Absolute Growth (Increase)**  
    → Highlights trends driving the biggest change in demand  
    → Best for identifying **impactful shifts at scale**
-   **Sort by % Growth**  
    → Surfaces trends growing the fastest relative to their size  
    → Best for identifying **emerging or early-stage opportunities**

* * *

## How to Choose the Right Sort

-   Looking for **category leaders** → Sort by **Volume**
-   Looking for **what’s driving change** → Sort by **Increase**
-   Looking for **what’s emerging** → Sort by **% Growth**