Most sellers waste days "researching" a niche by scrolling Amazon and watching YouTube videos. Here's the actual workflow I use when validating a product category:

1. Google Trends — Don't just check if it's trending. Compare 3-4 related keywords over 5 years. Steady growth = real demand. Spikes = fad.

2. Jungle Scout Free Estimator — Plug in the top 10 ASINs in your category. If the #10 seller still moves 300+ units/month, the category has real demand.

3. ImportYeti — Search your competitor's brand name. You'll find their exact supplier, shipping history, and order frequency. Tells you how real their operation is.

4. SimilarWeb (free tier) — Check competitor traffic sources. If they're 90% Amazon-dependent with no brand site traffic, they're vulnerable to someone who builds a real brand.

5. Reddit & Facebook Groups — Search "[niche] + problem" or "[niche] + recommendation." Real buyer pain points live in comments, not product listings. That's where your angle comes from.

This is the first 30 minutes. The deep work — margin analysis, supplier vetting, positioning strategy — is what I do for Insight Lab members every month.