Much like Bing, Twitter, and Facebook, Google releases a yearly list of the topics we’ve been searching for over the past 12 months. Compiled by analyzing the trillions of searches performed on Google in 2014, the list shows a more serious side to the internet compared to their competitors’ lists which tended to highlight the cute, funny, and scandalous.
Google shared lists for both the U.S. and globally, and the top search of the entire year is not devoted to either of the popular sporting events in 2014 or the social events happening around the world. Instead, the top search highlights the impact Robin William’s comedy brought the world. The deceased actor took the top spot for trending searches in the U.S. and globally.
The global and U.S. lists are largely the same in most categories. For example, eight of the top ten U.S. trending search terms also made the global list. The two search terms exclusive to the U.S. – Ferguson and Ukraine – show America’s continued interest in important news both at home and abroad.
Google’s Top Ten U.S. Trending Searches
- Robin Williams
- World Cup
- Ebola
- Malaysia Airlines
- Flappy Bird
- ALS Bucket Challenge
- ISIS
- Ferguson
- Frozen
- Ukraine
Google’s Top Ten Global Trending Searches
- Robin Williams
- World Cup
- Ebola
- Malaysia Airlines
- ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
- Flappby Bird
- Conchita Wurst
- ISIS
- Frozen
- Sochi Olympics
Google’s Top Ten Trending “What is…?” Searches
- What is Ebola?
- What is ALS?
- What is ISIS?
- What is Bitcoin?
- What is Asphyxia?
- What is Gmaergate?
- What is WhatsApp?
- What is MERS?
- What is Hamas?
- What is Airdrop?
Google’s Top Ten “How to…?” Searches
- How to Airdrop
- How to Contour
- How to Vote
- How to Kiss
- How to Craft
- How to Colorblock
- How to Wakeboard
- How to Refurbish
- How to Delegate
- How to DIY
Google Maps Most Searched Places in 2014
- Walmart
- Starbucks
- Target
- McDonald’s
- Home Depot
- Bank of America
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Wells Fargo
- Costco
If the typical list is not your thing, Google also compiled the following video to summarize the year in search. For the full collection, visit Google’s Year in Search for 2014.
