Google Trends has released data showing which were the most searched topics in 2015.
The internet giant has collected and collated data from all the terms people have entered into its search engine over the last 12 months and put together a list of the moments the internet using world wanted to know the most about.
It is surely no surprise that sitting at the top of the list with over 897 million searches are the tragic attacks which took place in Paris on November 13 when a theatre, stadium, restaurant and cafe were attacked by terrorists. In the aftermath the world desperately tried to find out if loved ones were safe and exactly what had happened during the attacks that claimed the lives of 130 people.
Second on the list was Hollywood’s biggest event of the year – the Oscars. The awards brought over 406 million searches to Google about winners, nominees and attendees.
At three and four on the most searched list are two sporting events. The Cricket World Cup pulled over 323 million searches as big personalities, exciting matches and a dramatic final made cricket one of the most searched sports in the world. Hot on its heels with 246 million queries was September’s Rugby World Cup which saw 20 of the world’s best Rugby Union teams compete in the tournament, one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
The list wouldn’t be complete without the biggest film release of the year putting in an appearance. With 155 million searches Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens caused a worldwide wave of excitement and suspense in the lead up to its release while it was another sporting event – the seventh Women’s World Cup in Canada that came in sixth with 113 million searches.
A surprise entry at number seven is Queen Elizabeth II as on September 9 she became the longest-reigning British monarch and longest-serving Queen in history prompting over 100 million searches.
The tragic Nepalese earthquake in April – measuring an 8.1 magnitude – destroyed thousands of homes and triggered a massive landslide on Mount Everest. It killed approximately 9,000 people shocking onlookers the world over and in the days following the disaster there were 85 million searches – many of which concerning how people could help those affected.
We wish it wasn’t, but next up, with 73 million searches, is that dress. It began when Scottish couple Grace and Keir Johnston asked their mother for a photo of the outfit she was planning to wear at their wedding. It ended in a viral phenomenon that had the world doubting its eyes.
Filling in the final spot in the top ten is our old friend Sepp Blatter and his equally corrupt FIFA cronies. The football world governing body were indicted over corruption allegations, throwing the world of international football and world cup bidding into the limelight – accusations that grabbed attention worldwide with around 42 million search terms.
