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The end of the year has plenty of traditions, including a fairly new favorite: Google Search Trends. Each December, Google releases its top search trends for the past year.
These trends can be filled with fascinating insights into the world for the past year. Trends can remind us of newsworthy events, favorite movies, exciting sports events, and famous celebrities. And they can show what the world wanted to learn more about this year.
What mattered most to the world in 2022? These trends can give you a glimpse, for better or worse.
For the first time, Google Search Trends this year include searches using other Google tools. New are yearly search trends from Hum to Search, Google Lens, and Google Maps. These new trends can show us music, images, places, exhibits, and landmarks people wanted to learn more about in 2022.
As in past years, Google Search Trends show us global trends as well as searches by country. We can compare how search trends in our home country compare to the rest of the world.
Also for the first time, Google Trends added a site that lets you search for local trends in the U.S. during 2022.
Top 2022 Google Search Trends
Google searches are all about learning. When someone searches on Google, they want to gain more knowledge. These trends reveal what people around the world wanted to learn more about this year.
Wondering how the Google Search Trends lists were calculated? According to Google, “Lists are based on search terms that had the highest spike this year as compared to the previous year.”
Global Google Search Trends for 2022
These were the top 10 overall Google searches around the world in 2022:
Top Global Searches
1) Wordle
2) India vs England
3) Ukraine
4) Queen Elizabeth
5) Ind vs SA
6) World Cup
7) India vs West Indies
8) iPhone 14
9) Jeffrey Dahmer
10) Indian Premier League
Fans of the fun word game Wordle will be delighted to know we’re not alone. “Wordle” was the top Google search term globally and in the U.S.
Learn about Wordle at => Wordle — A New Fun, and Free Word Game
Top news searches around the world:
News
1) Ukraine
2) Queen Elizabeth passing
3) Election results
4) Powerball numbers
5) Monkeypox
6) Hurricane Ian
7) Johnny Depp verdict
8) Texas school shooting
9) Will Smith Oscars
10) Roe v Wade
Top TV shows around the world in 2022:
TV Shows
1) Euphoria
2) House of the Dragon
3) Moon Knight
4) The Watcher
5) Inventing Anna
6) Dahmer
7) The Boys
8) All of Us Are Dead
9) Sandman
10) Heartstopper
Top 2022 Global Search Trends for Other Google Tools
People around the world searched for information contained in images with Google Lens. Top trends for 2022 Google Lens searches include plants and pets:
Google Lens: Top pets
1) Domestic short-haired cat
2) Tabby cat
3) Polydactyl cat
4) Aspin
5) Labrador Retriever
6) Pit bull
7) European shorthair
8) Hound
9) Munchkin cat
10) Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Find out more about Google Lens at => Google Lens Identifies What’s in Photos — Now for Android and iPhone
Top 2022 Google Maps Search Trends could inspire your 2023 vacation! These trends include exhibits, cultural landmarks, and scenic spots:
Google Maps: Top scenic spots
1) Sky Garden, London, United Kingdom
2) Setas de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
3) Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia
4) HeHa Ocean View, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
5) Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, Portugal
6) Oshino Hakkai, Oshino, Japan
7) Belvedere del Gianicolo, Rome, Italy
8) Petrin Tower, Prague, Czechia
9) Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Lisbon, Portugal
10) Wuling, Nantou County, Taiwan
Around the world, people used Google Hum to Search tool to find these top songs in 2022:
Hum to Search: Top songs
1) Pasoori – Ali Sethi
2) Butter – BTS
3) Chaand Baaliyan – Aditya A
4) Heat Waves – Glass Animals
5) Enemy – Imagine Dragons
6) Believer – Imagine Dragons
7) Dynamite – BTS
8) Ainsi bas la vida – Indila
9) Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys
10) Srivalli – Javed Ali
Google Local Search Trends for 2022
For the first time, Google Trends has launched an end-of-the-year site for U.S. local trends. The Local Year in Search 2022 site lets you search by zip code, place name, or map to get insights about local trends.
I found some fun and fascinating insights when I searched for Philadelphia, PA:
I was also able to see a list of the most popular “near me” searches for 2022:
Top 10 trending “near me” searches in the Philadelphia, PA area
- cheapest gas near me⛽
- plasma donation near me🩸
- gas prices near me⛽
- pickleball near me🏓
- carnivals near me🎡
- recreational dispensary near me🌱
- remote jobs near me👨💻
- estate sales near me💎
- concerts near me🎶
- food pantry near me🥫
Google Search Trends 2022 Video
For an uplifting look at what inspired the world this year, check out the Google – The Year In Search 2022 video:
Curious about which were the other top Google Search Trends? When you have time to explore, check out the Google Search Trends 2022 site.
Your Thoughts
Were you surprised by any of the top Global Google Search Trends for 2022? Were your home country’s search terms similar or different from the Global Search Trends list? Did any of the searches inspire you as you look ahead to 2023?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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*Sky Garden, London image courtesy of Martin Pettitt via Flickr and Creative Commons
Hi Carolyn
Thank you for the insight. I must say that I was a bit surprised that Wordle was in top of the list and not Ukraine or Queen Elizabeth. Anyway, always a got reminder to see this list and look back at the year that have passed.
Hi Thomas, Yes, sometimes the trends on these lists surprise me, which is why I find them so fascinating. Happy New Year!