Systems and associated methods are described for determining popularity of new content. The system analyzes a content item to identify at least a first and a second attribute associated with the content item. The system also identifies previously posted content items associated with the first and the second attributes. The system then determines levels of user activity associated with the previously posted content item corresponding to the first attribute over a first past time period and associated with the previously posted content item corresponding to the second attribute over a second past time period. The system then extrapolates a levels of user activity for a future time period based on the first past time period and on the second past time period. The system further determines an anticipated level of user activity associated with the content item for the future time period based on the extrapolated levels of user activity.