When it comes to identifying the most-talked about moments of the year, Google’s annual search trend report is a reliable litmus test.
Despite the #Brexshit storm we currently find ourselves in, it wasn’t actually politics that topped the UK Google search polls but an escapism from the horrendously depressing news cycle.
Coming in at number one was, of course, ‘world cup.’ Who can forget those glorious weeks at the beginning of the summer when the sun miraculously shined every day, Jack and Dani were falling in love (RIP), and somehow the English football team seemed to be on a winning streak. From googling niche world cup trivia to pub opening times, we were a nation hooked.
Second to ‘world cup’ was two royal related queries. Unsurprising when you consider 2018 has been a bumper year for royal events thanks to the two weddings (Meghan and Harry and Eugenie and Jack), and one big baby announcement. ‘Meghan Markle’ came in at number two and ‘royal wedding’ came in at three for most searched for queries overall.
In fact, in news that will surprise no one: Meghan Markle was the most searched-for person overall. It’s been a mega year for Meghan who relocated to the UK, married Prince Harry, became the Duchess of Sussex and announced her pregnancy.
Besides our short lived obsession with football and our ongoing obsession with the ever-growing royal family, it was celebrity scandal that peaked interest too. Coming in second on the list of most-searched for people is Roxanne Pallett. The former Emmerdale actor was caught up in controversy following her Celebrity Big Brother appearance in which she accused housemate Ryan Thomas of punching her. This led to her quitting her York-based Minster FM radio show and calling herself “the most hated girl in Britain.”
Similarly, third on the list was Demi Lovato, who made headlines following an overdose, and fourth was Ant McPartlin, the former I’m A Celebrity presenter who has struggled with alcohol abuse. Others in the top ten most searched include the much-talked about Khloe Kardashian, Alex Ferguson and Sylvester Stallone