Google has released its annual Year in Search report, highlighting the events, people and pop culture moments that drove the biggest spikes in online search interest across the United States in 2025.
Topping this year’s list was Charlie Kirk, whose death in September prompted a surge of national attention. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The shocking incident quickly became the most searched topic of the year, reflecting widespread public reaction and media coverage.
Entertainment and consumer trends also played a major role in shaping search behavior. The No. 2 trending search was “KPop Demon Hunters,” a hit animated film released by Netflix that gained a strong following and sparked online discussion. Close behind was Labubu, a plush collectible that went viral on social media and fueled a wave of searches from fans and collectors.
Technology remained a dominant theme in 2025 searches. Apple’s iPhone 17 ranked fourth on the list as consumers sought information about features, pricing and availability of the latest smartphone from Apple. Rounding out the top five was the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, legislation signed into law in July that generated sustained interest as Americans searched for details on its provisions and potential impact.
Political developments, artificial intelligence, and global events also featured prominently among the year’s most searched topics. New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani ranked sixth, reflecting heightened interest following his election. The AI platform DeepSeek followed, as advances in artificial intelligence continued to capture public attention.
Other major spikes in search activity were driven by concerns over a government shutdown, the FIFA Club World Cup, and ongoing debates surrounding tariffs, underscoring how economic and global issues influenced what Americans sought online.
Source: Fox Business