Introduction
"How many makers do I need to trend?"
It's the most common question from Pump.fun devs—and the answer isn't a single number.
Trending is relative. You don't need a fixed maker count; you need more makers than your competition during the same time window.
In this guide, I'll break down the maker thresholds I've observed across different trending positions, how to benchmark against competitors, and how fast you can reach these targets.
How DexScreener Trending Works
Before talking numbers, understand the system:
Trending Score Components
DexScreener calculates a "Trending Score" for every token based on:
- Trading volume
- Transaction count
- Unique makers (distinct trading wallets)
- Holder count
- Liquidity depth
- Page engagement (visits, reactions)
Relative Ranking
Trending isn't about hitting a magic number—it's about outperforming other tokens in the same timeframe.
During quiet hours, 300 makers might trend.
During peak competition, 1000 makers might not.
Maker Count Benchmarks by Position
Based on analysis of DexScreener trending tokens (January 2026 data):
Pump.fun Bonding Curve - Trending Page
| Position | Maker Range | Volume Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top 5 | 1,500-5,000+ | 100-500+ SOL | Peak competition |
| Top 10 | 800-2,000 | 50-200 SOL | Strong position |
| Top 20 | 400-1,000 | 25-100 SOL | Visible trending |
| Page 2 | 200-500 | 10-50 SOL | Secondary visibility |
| Page 3+ | 50-200 | 5-25 SOL | Low visibility |
Key Thresholds
< 100 makers → Invisible to most traders
100-200 → Minimum visibility threshold
200-400 → Competitive during low activity
400-800 → Solid trending position
800-1,500 → Strong trending (top 10-20)
1,500+ → Dominant (top 5)
Important: These numbers shift constantly based on market activity.
How to Benchmark Against Competitors
Don't guess—measure. Here's how to find your target:
Step 1: Check Current Trending Tokens
- Go to DexScreener Pump.fun
- Sort by trending (default view)
- Note the maker count of tokens in your target position
Step 2: Calculate Your Gap
Target: Top 20 position
Current top 20 average: 650 makers
Your current count: 150 makers
Gap: 500 makers needed
Step 3: Factor in Competition Growth
Competitors aren't standing still. If they're running bots too, you need to outpace them.
Rule of thumb: Target 20-30% above current threshold to account for competition growth.
Step 4: Set Time-Based Goals
At 500 makers/minute (Jumpbit max speed):
- 500 makers = 1 minute
- 1,000 makers = 2 minutes
- 2,000 makers = 4 minutes
At 100 makers/minute (moderate pace):
- 500 makers = 5 minutes
- 1,000 makers = 10 minutes
- 2,000 makers = 20 minutes
Maker Requirements by Time of Day
Competition varies dramatically by time:
Low Competition (Best for smaller budgets)
When: 2-8 AM UTC (off-peak US hours)
Typical top 20 requirement: 300-600 makers
Strategy: Run moderate maker rate, cheaper to compete
Medium Competition
When: 8 AM - 2 PM UTC (EU peak, US morning)
Typical top 20 requirement: 500-1,000 makers
Strategy: Standard maker campaign needed
High Competition (Most expensive)
When: 2-10 PM UTC (US peak hours)
Typical top 20 requirement: 800-2,000+ makers
Strategy: Aggressive maker rate or accept lower position
Strategic Timing
If budget is limited:
- Launch during low competition hours
- Build maker base while competition is light
- Maintain position as competition increases
Maker-to-Volume Ratio
Raw maker count isn't everything. The ratio matters:
Healthy Ratios
1 maker per 0.1-0.5 SOL volume = Natural looking
1 maker per 0.5-2 SOL volume = Acceptable
1 maker per 2-5 SOL volume = Starting to look suspicious
1 maker per 5+ SOL volume = Wash trading signal
Example Analysis
Token A:
- 500 makers, 100 SOL volume
- Ratio: 0.2 SOL per maker ✅ Healthy
Token B:
- 50 makers, 100 SOL volume
- Ratio: 2 SOL per maker ⚠️ Borderline
Token C:
- 20 makers, 100 SOL volume
- Ratio: 5 SOL per maker ❌ Suspicious
Balancing Strategy
Don't just pump makers—balance with volume:
Target: 500 makers + 100 SOL volume (0.2 ratio)
Method:
- Maker bot: 500 makers (~6-8 SOL cost)
- Volume bot: Match with volume activity
- Result: Healthy-looking metrics
Speed to Trending: Time Calculations
How fast can you reach trending thresholds?
Jumpbit (500 makers/min max)
| Target | Time | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 200 makers | 24 seconds | ~2-3 SOL |
| 500 makers | 1 minute | ~5-7 SOL |
| 1,000 makers | 2 minutes | ~10-13 SOL |
| 2,000 makers | 4 minutes | ~20-26 SOL |
Typical Competitors (50-100 makers/min)
| Target | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 200 makers | 2-4 minutes | 4-10x slower |
| 500 makers | 5-10 minutes | Competition may pass you |
| 1,000 makers | 10-20 minutes | Significant time disadvantage |
| 2,000 makers | 20-40 minutes | Very slow |
Why Speed Matters
- Trending is real-time - Competitors are running too
- Momentum compounds - Early trending = organic discovery
- Attention windows are short - Miss the window, miss the pump
Minimum Viable Maker Count
If budget is tight, what's the absolute minimum?
Survival Thresholds
< 50 makers → Won't appear in most filtered views
50-100 → May show in "all" view, not trending
100-200 → Minimum to appear credible
200-300 → Can trend during very low competition
Budget-Constrained Strategy
With only 3-5 SOL:
- Target 200-300 makers
- Run during off-peak hours (2-8 AM UTC)
- Combine with bump bot for visibility
- Focus on holder growth for credibility
Case Study: Maker Count Impact
Real scenario (anonymized):
Before Maker Bot
- Position: Page 4
- Makers: 67
- Volume: 25 SOL
- Ratio: 0.37 SOL/maker (healthy)
After Maker Bot (15 minutes later)
- Position: Page 1, #12
- Makers: 567 (+500)
- Volume: 30 SOL (+5 SOL from maker trades)
- Ratio: 0.05 SOL/maker (very healthy)
Analysis
The +500 makers (from ~6-7 SOL spend) moved the token from invisible to top 15. The volume increase was minimal, but the maker diversity signaled legitimacy.
Dynamic Targeting Strategy
Instead of fixed targets, use dynamic benchmarking:
Step 1: Check Every 30 Minutes
Monitor competitors' maker counts throughout your campaign.
Step 2: Maintain Gap
Stay 20-30% above the #20 position threshold.
Step 3: Burst When Needed
If competitor surges, have maker bot ready to respond.
Step 4: Sustain Don't Spike
After reaching target, maintain 50-100 makers/hour to hold position.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Targeting Fixed Numbers
"I need exactly 1000 makers" ignores competition reality.
Fix: Benchmark against current trending tokens, not arbitrary numbers.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Time of Day
Running during peak hours with a small budget = wasted SOL.
Fix: Launch during off-peak for cheaper competition.
Mistake 3: All Makers, No Volume
500 makers with 5 SOL volume looks fake.
Fix: Balance maker growth with volume bot.
Mistake 4: One-Time Push
Reaching 500 makers, then stopping = competitors catch up.
Fix: Continuous maintenance at lower rate (20-50/min).
Quick Reference: Maker Targets
| Goal | Maker Target | Budget Est. | Time (500/min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum visibility | 200 | ~2-3 SOL | 24 sec |
| Low competition trending | 400 | ~4-6 SOL | 48 sec |
| Average competition | 700 | ~7-10 SOL | 1.4 min |
| High competition | 1,200 | ~12-16 SOL | 2.4 min |
| Dominant position | 2,000+ | ~20-26 SOL | 4 min |
Costs vary based on PDA creation and trade amounts
Key Takeaways
- Trending is relative - You need more makers than competitors, not a fixed number
- Benchmark constantly - Check current trending tokens before setting targets
- Time of day matters - Off-peak = cheaper to compete
- Balance maker-to-volume ratio - Makers alone look suspicious without volume
- Speed matters - Faster maker generation = first to trending
- Maintain, don't spike - Continuous low-rate after initial push
Next Steps
Ready to hit your maker targets?
Jumpbit Maker Bot - 500 makers/min, reach any target in minutes
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