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2021 was a year of challenges by any measure. This was the year when the world hoped we would get back to “normal”, only to discover that we need to find new ways to move forward.
The Year in Google Search gives us a glimpse of the world and what we care enough about to search for. Search trends reveal our aspirations, fears, concerns, and plans. As the world continues to adapt to a pandemic that won’t seem to quit, search trends can give us insight into what others are thinking and how they are coping.
Google Top Search Trends of 2021
As with previous years, Google Year in Search shows top search trends globally and by individual country in 2021. We can see what search terms trended around the world and compare those to search term trends in our home country.
Google explained:
In a year in which the world continued to face a devastating pandemic among other global challenges, a theme emerged from the search data: the global pursuit of healing and finding a way forward. Whether searches were personal (like “how to recover from burnout” or “how to maintain mental health”) or related to issues like climate change (“impact of climate change”, “how to conserve”), 2021 was a year of seeking out reassessment, reflection, and growth.“
According to the Google Blog, “how to heal” was searched more than ever around the world. Other search terms that trended in 2021 include:
- how to honor someone
- how to take care of your mental health
- how to be yourself
- what is my purpose
- how to make a come back
- how to be hopeful
As you might expect, COVID was a top search for 2021. Searches for “COVID vaccine” outpaced “COVID testing” in 2021 and “COVID vaccine near me” was a top search this year.
Worldwide, Google Trends listed these as the top searches of 2021:
Google Trends lists the top searches for 2021 in various categories. For News, these were the top searches of 2021:
Looking for an escape? These TV shows were the top trends of 2021:
And these were the most searched movies in 2021:
You can view previous years’ Top Search Trends to see how they compare to those of 2021.
Interactive Google Trends Timeline
This year Google Trends has an interactive timeline of searches month by month. Scroll through the year to see top searches for each month. Or see monthly search trends for topics such as Culture, Economy, Environment, Health & Wellness, News & Environment, and more.
Included in the monthly Google Trends Timeline are quizzes so you can try to guess the top trends throughout the world.
Google Trends Magazine
Fascinated by Google Trends for the year? Check out the Google Trends Magazine for in-depth articles about the Year in Search for 2021. Read articles such as The Search for Healing that shows graphs reflecting the 3x rise in searches starting with “how to heal.”
Learn interesting facts, such as “how to comfort someone” was searched for more in 2021 than ever on Google.
Google Search Video 2021
This inspirational video from Google reminds us that even though times are tough, there is much for which we can be grateful:
For a more in-depth analysis of Google Search Trends in 2021, check out the Google Blog article Counting down 2021 with 21 Search trends.
What Else You Need to Know
This year, Google explains in greater depth the ways it calculated top search trends:
- Each insight from the timeframe of January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 was validated on October 1, 2021.
- Each insight from the timeframe of July 1, 2021 – October 31, 2021 was validated on November 5, 2021.
- “Worldwide” insights are validated worldwide in the English language.
- Insights that are validated “worldwide” do not include the following countries: China, Iran, and North Korea.“
You can read more about how Google calculated the top trends for 2021 at Google’s Year in Search Data Methodology.
Your Thoughts
Have you looked to see what search terms were most popular in your country and around the world? Were you surprised by any of the most popular search terms? Was there any search term you expected to see in the top lists but wasn’t there?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
*Images from Google
