It’s the go-to site when you need information or questions answered, and now Google has revealed its top trends for 2017.
The vast list includes the top searches of the year, which range from India National Cricket Team to iPhone X, and the most searched people, including Gal Gadot and Melania Trump.
It also sheds light on the burning questions we needed answering this year, including ‘How to buy Bitcoin’ and ‘How to lose belly fat fast.’
Google hopes the information will offer a unique perspective on the year’s major moments and top trends around the world.
It’s the go-to site when you need information or questions answered, and now Google has revealed its trends for 2017. Pictured is Meghan Markle, who came in at number five on the global top search list
Google’s 2017 trend lists are based on search terms that had a high spike in traffic in 2017 as compared to 2016.
These lists can be broken down based on country, or a global list is also available.
Meghan Markle’s engagement to Prince Harry saw her feature heavily on the top searches around the world, while Matt Lauer’s firing from NBC after allegations of ‘innappropriate sexual behaviour’ led to him topping the most searched people in the US.
Other people on the top global list include Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Gal Gadot and Melania Trump.
Some of this year’s biggest news events also feature prominently on the overall list.
Google’s 2017 trend lists are based on search terms that had a high spike in traffic in 2017 as compared to 2016. Pictured is the iPhone X, which was the third most searched term globally
Hurricane Irma, which caused catastrophic damage when it swept across the Caribbean and Florida Keys in September, was the most searched term globally this year.
Speaking about the UK list, a spokesperson for Google said: ‘The Manchester bombing and Grenfell Tower both also appear highly in the lists, with spikes in search interest for volunteering and donating to related causes.’
The unexpected rise of the ‘fidget spinner’ is also reflected in the year’s lists, with the toy of 2017 taking the eighth spot in global top searched terms.
Meghan Markle’s engagement to Prince Harry saw her feature heavily on the top searches around the world, while Matt Lauer’s (pictured) firing from NBC after allegations of ‘innappropriate sexual behaviour’ led to him topping the most searched people in the US
Hurricane Irma, which caused catastrophic damage when it swept across the Caribbean and Florida Keys in September, was the most searched term globally this year
And new Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why occupies the sixth spot in the global top search list.
Bitcoin was another of 2017’s buzzwords, and this year’s Search trends show the world has been keen to take advantage of the cryptocurrency’s rapid increase in value.
‘How to buy Bitcoin’ was the third most Googled question globally, while ‘What is Bitcoin’ featured on the top ten questions in both the UK and US.
The unexpected rise of the ‘fidget spinner’ is also reflected in the year’s lists, with the toy of 2017 taking the eighth spot in global top searched terms
Singer Tom Petty, who sadly passed away in October, was the seventh more searched phrase globally in 2017
Other bizarre questions on the most searched ‘How To…’ list include ‘How to make solar eclipse glasses’, ‘How to lose belly fat fast’ and ‘How to make slime.’
The Google spokesperson said: ‘The top trending ‘What is…?’ questions show how many in the UK turned to Google Search to find out more about the general election results in June, with ‘what is a hung parliament’, ‘what is an exit poll’ and ‘what is the DUP’ all featuring in the top 10.’
Many people hoping to sing along to their favourite songs also looked up song lyrics this year. Two Ed Sheeran songs – Shape of You and Perfect – featured in the global top 10 searches. But Justin Bieber’s chart topper, Despactio, was the most searched song for lyrics
Other quirky lists include the top searched recipes of 2017.
On the global list, the top recipes included Poğaça tarifi (Turkish bread recipe), Spaghetti squash recipe and 餃子 レシピ (Dumpling recipe).
Meanwhile in the UK, recipes we loved to cook included hot cross buns, chilli con carne and millionaire shortbread.
Many people hoping to sing along to their favourite songs also looked up song lyrics this year.
Two Ed Sheeran songs – Shape of You and Perfect – featured in the global top 10 searches.
But Justin Bieber’s chart topper, Despactio, was the most searched song for lyrics.