Google released its ‘Year in Search 2021’ list on Wednesday, which, like every other year, displays what was likewise searched the most on its search engine around the world. While there is a global list that shows the international search patterns for the entire year, there are also country-specific lists that highlight the regional trends that swept the internet in 2021.
If the year 2020 was distinguished by a surge in people anxiously Googling everything related to the coronavirus, this year likewise saw a return in online searches around the world for old standards of sports and entertainment.
Last year, the term “coronavirus” topped the global trending search list and dominated much of the US list. The top trending global searches this year were also more sports-related.
Top global searches
The top two trending global searches for the year were for the Men’s World Cup cricket match between Australia and India, as well as India’s match versus England in the same event, possibly reflecting the expanding global influence of India’s hundreds of millions of internet users. The T20 Cricket World Cup and the Indian Premier League cricket competition — both of which were stopped in May because of COVID-19 — were also among the top 10 globally trending search terms.
The NBA was also on the global list, and it led the trending search list in the United States. Sports subjects also accounted for eight of the top ten global trending searches, thanks to the Euro 2021 and Copa America soccer events. (The top 10 in the global “news” category were likewise pandemic-related, with COVID and COVID Vaccine.)
Both globally and in the United States, deceased rapper DMX and the blockbuster Korean Netflix program Squid Game topped the rankings.
Politics and finance also rounded out the top ten popular search terms in the United States. The Georgia Senate race, which determined Senate control, was likewise on the list, as was the topic of federal stimulus payments.
The Mega Millions jackpot made both the top trending and news searches lists in the United States. AMC’s stock was also on both lists, while GameStop was on the US news list, indicating that the meme-induced frenzy surrounding these firms has piqued people’s curiosity this year.
Dogecoin, a meme coin referenced on Elon Musk’s Twitter account, and the price of Ethereum were also among the most searched topics.
Google Year in Search 2021
| Topic | Global trends in 2021 |
|---|---|
| Searches | Australia vs India, India vs England, IPL, NBA, Euro 2021 |
| News | Afghanistan, AMC Shock, COVID Vaccine, Dogecoin, GME Stock |
| Actors | Alec Baldwin, Pete Davidson, Aryan Khan, Gina Carano, Armie Hammer |
| Athletes | Christian Eriksen, Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, Emma Raducanu, Henry Ruggs III |
| Foods | Birria tacos, Nasi goreng, Feta pasta, Charcuterie board, 生姜 焼き |
| Games | PopCat, FIFA 2022, Battlefield 2042, Monster Hunter Rise, Resident Evil Village |
| Movies | Eternals, Black Widow, Dune, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Red Notice |
| Passings | DMX, Gabby Petito, Marília Mendonça, Prince Philip, Brian Laundrie |
| People | Alec BaldwinKyle RittenhouseChristian EriksenTiger WoodsSimone Biles |
| Songs | driver’s license- Olivia Rodrigo, MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name) – Lil Nas X, INDUSTRY BABY – Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow, Fancy Like, Walker Hayes, MAPA, SB19 |
| Sports Teams | Real Madrid CF, Chelsea F.C., Paris Saint-Germain F.C., FC Barcelona, Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras |
| TV Shows | Squid Game, Bridgerton, WandaVision, Cobra Kai, Loki |
