Finding Profitable Work: Exploding Topics vs Google Trends for Self-Employed Trades
For a self-employed roofer or plumber, knowing what customers want *next* means getting ahead. Google Trends shows past demand for jobs. Exploding Topics shows what jobs are just starting to take off. Use both tools to spot new profitable services before every other solo tradesperson does.
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The Quick Answer
Use Exploding Topics to spot new trade services that are just starting to get popular, before everyone else offers them. This helps you decide when to offer a new skill, like specialized water leak detection or advanced home energy audits. Use Google Trends to make sure these services have lasting interest, see how they compare to older services like standard drain cleaning, and understand busy seasons for things like furnace checks. Use both: Exploding Topics to find the new ideas, Google Trends to confirm they're worth your time and money.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Exploding Topics offers a free basic plan. Full access costs $39 to $299 each month. It gives you a hand-picked list of hot topics across many areas, sorted by how fast they're growing. Its strength is that someone reviews these trends, cutting out a lot of junk. Its weakness is you only see what they choose to show you, not every single growing trend. Google Trends is free, always. It shows you the raw search data for anything you type in, going back to 2004. Its strength is it's complete. You can compare up to 5 terms, like 'tankless water heater installation' versus 'traditional water heater replacement,' and see demand in your local area. Its weakness is it won't suggest new ideas; you need to already have a service in mind to search for.
When to Choose Exploding Topics
Choose Exploding Topics when you're looking for new services to add to your list, especially ones you haven't considered. It can show you new trade needs, like 'smart home lighting installation' or 'electric vehicle charger wiring' when they are just starting to gain traction. This gives you 6 to 18 months to learn the ropes, buy specific tools like a dedicated EV charging tester, or get certified before every other plumber or electrician offers the same thing. It's for finding fresh ideas, not for confirming they're a good bet yet.
When to Choose Google Trends
Use Google Trends when you already have a specific service in mind, like 'tankless water heater installation' or 'radiant floor heating repair.' You want to know if demand for it is going up or down, if it's only busy at certain times of the year (like AC repair in summer), and how it compares to older services. Google Trends gives you real data and shows demand in different cities or states. It's also perfect for seeing if a trend is broad – meaning many related services are growing, like 'solar panel cleaning' and 'solar inverter repair' – or if it's just one specific phrase that's getting attention.
The Verdict
Check Exploding Topics once a week. Think of it as scanning for new kinds of jobs or services that could make you more money. When a new service idea catches your eye – like 'smart sprinkler system installation' for a landscaper or 'advanced mold remediation' for a drywaller – switch to Google Trends. Use it to check if there's real, lasting demand for that specific work. If Exploding Topics shows it's new and growing, and Google Trends confirms that many related searches are also going up, that's a strong sign it's worth learning about, maybe getting a new tool, or promoting that service.
How to Get Started
This week, spend 30 minutes on Exploding Topics. Look for new ideas in categories like 'Home Improvement,' 'Green Tech,' or 'Smart Home.' Pick 3 service ideas you could realistically learn or offer, like 'electric car charger installation,' 'allergen-free duct cleaning,' or 'water-saving irrigation systems.' Then, open Google Trends. Type in each of your 3 ideas. Look at the trend over the last 2 years. Compare it to 2 related services you already do, like comparing 'ductless mini-split installation' to 'central AC repair' and 'furnace replacement.' Also, check the demand in your local service area.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Exploding Topics
Discover trends before they peak — find your timing edge
Google Trends
Free demand trend direction and comparison for any keyword
Semrush
Validate trend data with real keyword volume and competition scores
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How early can Exploding Topics detect a trend?
Typically 6–18 months before mainstream awareness. The platform flags topics when search volume growth exceeds a threshold, which often corresponds to early adopter phase.
Is the free tier of Exploding Topics useful?
The free tier shows a limited set of trending topics and their trajectory. For early-stage idea scanning, it is sufficient. The paid tier unlocks full historical data, meta-trend groupings, and export.
Can Google Trends show me business ideas I have not thought of?
Indirectly. The 'Related queries' and 'Related topics' sections at the bottom of any search show adjacent terms people search together — which can surface problems and angles you had not considered.
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