Top 10 Things The World Googled In 2020

I could write it a thousand ways, and still never come up with a version that hasn’t been said: 2020 was a weird year.

Even now, halfway through 2021, we’re still talking about it -- and for good reason: if we never hear the word “unprecedented” again, it’ll still be too soon. So in a year that no one was prepared for and no one has gotten over, what was at the forefront of our minds?

#1 Top Google Search of the Year: “Coronavirus”

Trending spike: March 15-21, 2020

This should come as a surprise to no one. Globally, this is what was on everyone’s minds -- in every way, all the time. From a single case in December 2019 to a worldwide pandemic, we all had to adapt, and fast. Words and phrases crept into our vocabulary that we’d never had much cause to use before. New habits and norms developed. This is the epitome of people wanting to stay informed; most of us didn’t go a single day last year without the word leaving our mouths. It’s changed us all forever; no wonder we wanted to do some research. I’m taking this opportunity to thank our healthcare workers, and also anyone who (often while underpaid) was suddenly marked “essential” and was required to work in-person throughout. Thank you.

#2: “Election results”

Trending spike: November 1-7, 2020

In times of uncertainty, we all wanted to know who our leaders were going to be. November of 2020 brought a presidential election for the United States. In a year where mail-in ballots were much more widely used than ever before, tallying up the votes took longer than usual, and everyone (in the United States and elsewhere) was closely tracking the results. Joe Biden won the race on November 6th, 2020.

#3: “Kobe Bryant”

Trending spike: January 26 - February 1, 2020

On January 26, 2020, a helicopter with nine people on board crashed and caught fire in Calabasas, California. All nine were killed on impact; one of those on board was Kobe Bryant, a famous former LA Lakers basketball player. Other names on board included Bryant’s daughter Gianna; John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser; Sarah Chester and daughter Payton; and Ara Zobayan.

#4: “Zoom”

Trending spike: March 29 - April 4, 2020

Zoom has become synonymous with video conferencing the same way that Googling is synonymous with looking something up. While known and used by plenty of people before the pandemic, Zoom video conferencing came into its own during the worldwide pandemic. Companies who had sent their employees home, schools connecting with students, friends and families who couldn’t get together; all of a sudden, people of all ages and backgrounds had good reason to get familiar with video calls. In a time of isolation, people wanted -- and needed -- to connect with each other, and this was the most-searched platform to do so.

#5: “IPL”

Trending spike: October 25-31, 2020

IPL, or the Indian Premier League, is a professional cricket league. The annual tournament was scheduled and delayed several times due to health concerns and lockdowns. It was initially slated to begin March 29th, moved to April 15th, delayed indefinitely, and finally set for September 19th. On November 10th, the tournament final, the Mumbai Indians successfully retained their title with a five-wicket win over the Delhi Capitals.

It's oddly comforting to know that matter what we’re going through, we will always maintain our competitive spirit and local team pride.

#6: “India vs New Zealand”

Trending spike: February 2-8, 2020

India vs New Zealand is another cricket reference: in February, New Zealand won the One Day International (ODI) series 3-0. The last time India lost all of its matches was in 1989, so this was a historic match-up and result.

We all love our team sports, especially when they reach the national and international levels. In 2020 especially, we really needed something to root for!

#7: “Joe Biden”

Trending spike: November 1-7, 2020

This one was trending the same week as “election results,” and for good reason: this was the week that former Vice President Biden secured the necessary Electoral College numbers, and it was announced he would be the next President of the United States.

#8: “Google Classroom”

Trending spike: March 29 - April 4, 2020

Google Classroom is a virtual environment designed for teachers. There’s tools for grading, tracking student progress, assignments, and collaboration. In a year when teachers suddenly had to become experts at virtual environments while teaching multiple classes, it’s no wonder they were looking for an all-in-one resource.

The past year has really heightened the expectations put on teachers, so I want to take this opportunity to thank them all.

#9: “Together at Home Concert”

Trending spike: April 12-18, 2020

What brings people together faster than music? The Together at Home Concert, spearheaded by Lady Gaga herself, was conceived to be a global broadcast to support frontline healthcare workers and the World Health Organization. The special raised nearly $128 million; it set records for the most musical acts to perform at a remote music festival and the most money raised for charity by a remote music festival. You can see a full lineup of artists and presenters who participated here.

#10: “Among Us”

Trending spike: September 27 - October 3, 2020

“You seem a little sus.” Have you heard that statement lately? It probably has to do with the game Among Us. It’s a simple online multiplayer game in which you are assigned a role: crewmate or imposter! If you’re on the crew, your job is to keep the ship up and running. If you’re an imposter, you’re trying to sabotage the ship and take out all the crewmates before they discover who you are. Deception is encouraged and if someone accuses you of being the imposter, you’ve clearly been acting “sus.”

In a time when no one was allowed to travel or see friends, an online game that allowed us to communicate virtually and was easy to learn (even for non-gamers) was just what we needed in 2020.

It bears repeating: 2020 was arguably the Strangest Year of All Time. It was exhausting, stressful, emotional, and often scary. But in the face of an undeniable emotional roller coaster, as a global community, we were focused on the things we love that allow us to come together: sports, games, music, and virtual environments.

In the most isolating year most of us have ever experienced, our minds were always on connection.

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