INFOGRAPHIC: What Did The World Search For in 2023?

It has been 25 years since the Google search engine came into existence and for over a decade and a half, its search trends have continued to show us the topics beating at the heart of our digital lives.

In 2023, these trends give us a vivid picture of the global interests that captivated people worldwide.

Going through the detailed data analysis from Google's Year in Search 2023, I have pieced together an overview of the most interesting highlights of the year that was, and providing you with a stroll down memory lane.

Unsurprisingly, the not-so-great event took the top charts in the News category in 2023, as these events sent a shiver down the spine of every person. Geopolitical tension in the Middle Eastern region of Israel/Gaza and the horrific OceanGate submarine accident topped that category.

On a more upbeat note, Warner Bros' movies Barbie and Oppenheimer took the spotlight in the Movie category. Their unique feminine/stoic-masculine marketing strategy propelled these installations to global trending status. Additionally, the TV show The Last of Us successfully propelled its gaming adaptation to the top searches, trailing closely behind the enduring Hogwarts Legacy in the gaming trends.

In the song category, the Japanese ballad "アイドル (Idol)" by Yoasobi topped the global search trend capturing widespread attention with its poignant lyrics and catchy melody (now I have FOMO for having not explored more Japanese music). Other notable mentions in the song category included "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53," Shakira's fiery diss track with Bizarrap directed at her ex-partner Gerard Piqué, and the ever-popular K-pop hit "Cupid," all securing prominent spots in the top searches.

Speaking about personalities, American football star Damar Hamlin, actor Jeremy Renner, and perhaps the world's most controversial figure, Andrew Tate topped the list of most searched people. Additionally, as Google Lens became ubiquitous, categories like translation, arts, and entertainment garnered significant attention.

This article examines only a few years of listings for movies, books, and actors in the Google search trends, offering a profound exploration of the trend of our curiosity.

Meanwhile the "Year in Search" reveals trends and reminds us of the swift changes in the digital landscape – and, perhaps, how time is flying.

Or is that just me?