33K people are posting about this.

[tedmc]

I think the present progressive is used to highlight the dynamic nature of the situation with the counter moving non-stop. The number given is momentary.

 

[Skrej]

Remember that the present progressive can also be used to talk about actions in progress, even if they aren't actually happening at that very moment.

For example, we say things like "I'm reading a book about the history of Egypt." That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm reading the book as I speak. I started reading it at some point in the past, but I haven't finished it quite yet.

To me, that's the sense of the progressive when talking about trending numbers on social media. Perhaps nobody is posting about it at this very second, but until everyone stops talking about it completely, it (posting/talking/trending about X) is an act in progress.

 

[Tdol]

If, a few weeks later, it hasn't reached 34k, then there's probably not that much to be inspired about. It is about things moving,