Top Search Terms on Google for 2017

The most searched topics of 2017 prove that we still use Google for newsworthy gossip-chasing, hurricane paths and aftermaths, and help reminding us that websites end with .com.

According to Google, the most trending search term of 2017 was “Hurricane Irma“. But we all know the most searched term was actually “facebook” as we’ve all grown comfortable anointing Google as URL completer-in-chief.

Besides the obvious newsshakers, the top list for the U.S. also includes a few results that seem to discredit the list. “Mayweather vs. McGregor Fight” came in at #6 which is either an aggregated result from multiple terms like “Mayweather McGregor” or it’s completely fabricated because no one searched for that specific term. As a nation, we proved that we have our priorities straight as we are more obsessed with one month of a Matt Lauer sex scandal than we are with a once-in-a-lifetime Solar Eclipse.

And Google once again became the go-to place to get reacquainted with recently passed entertainment titans like Tom Petty, Greg Allman, and Chris Cornell.

Searches noticeably missing from Google list include Trump, #metoo, and James Comey.

Here are what Google says were the most trendy terms and the most viewed videos on YouTube for 2017:

Overall Searches (US)

1. Hurricane Irma
2. Matt Lauer
3. Tom Petty
4. Super Bowl
5. Las Vegas Shooting
6. Mayweather vs. McGregor Fight
7. Solar Eclipse
8. Hurricane Harvey
9. Aaron Hernandez
10. Fidget Spinner

People Searches

1. Matt Lauer
2. Meghan Markle
3. Harvey Weinstein
4. Michael Flynn
5. Kevin Spacey
6. Bill O’Reilly
7. Melania Trump
8. Kathy Griffin
9. Milo Yiannopoulos
10. Gal Gadot

Famous Losses

1. Tom Petty
2. Aaron Hernandez
3. Chris Cornell
4. Bill Paxton
5. Hugh Hefner
6. Chester Bennington
7. Charlie Murphy
8. Lil Peep
9. Jim Nabors
10. David Cassidy

Top Trending Videos on YouTube for 2017

1. Until We Will Become Dust – Oyster Masked (ตราบธุลีดิน – หน้ากากหอยนางรม) | THE MASK SINGER 2
2. ED SHEERAN – Shape Of You | Kyle Hanagami Choreography
3. Ping Pong Trick Shots 3 | Dude Perfect
4. Darci Lynne: 12-Year-Old Singing Ventriloquist Gets Golden Buzzer – America’s Got Talent 2017
5. Ed Sheeran Carpool Karaoke
6. Lady Gaga’s FULL Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LI Halftime Show | NFL
7. “INAUGURATION DAY” — A Bad Lip Reading of Donald Trump’s Inauguration
8. history of the entire world, i guess
9. In a Heartbeat – Animated Short Film
10. Children interrupt BBC News interview – BBC News

Top Music Videos on YouTube for 2017

1. Luis Fonsi – Despacito ft. Daddy Yankee
2. Ed Sheeran – Shape of You [Official Video]
3. J Balvin, Willy William – Mi Gente (Official Video)
4. Maluma – Felices los 4 (Official Video)
5. Bruno Mars – That’s What I Like [Official Video]
6. Chris Jeday – Ahora Dice (Official Video) ft. J. Balvin, Ozuna, Arcángel
7. El Amante – Nicky Jam (Video Oficial) (Álbum Fénix)
8. Jason Derulo – Swalla (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign) (Official Music Video)
9. DJ Khaled – I’m the One ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne
10. Enrique Iglesias – SUBEME LA RADIO (Official Video) ft. Descemer Bueno, Zion & Lennox

We’ll circle back next year to see if Google finally gives Facebook the respect it deserves in it’s annual rankings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ben Lindberg, CR is a partner in Lion Tree Group, a digital marketing agency in Madison, WI. His expertise is in multi-platform brand messaging with a focus on inspiring consumers. His agency specializes in website design and comprehensive branding solutions. He regularly blogs at his company’s digital news blog: The Bark and Roar.