Google’s Year in Search 2025: A Deep Dive into Global Curiosities

In 2025, Google’s AI tool, Gemini, emerged as the top global search trend, reflecting the unprecedented embrace of artificial intelligence by users around the world. From cricket matches capturing the hearts of sports fans to inquiries about the newly appointed Pope and geopolitical matters like Iran’s TikTok ban, the breadth of searches reveals both serious interests and lighter, entertaining inclinations.

The Pulse of Global Searches

Google’s Year in Search provides a fascinating snapshot of what captivated our attention throughout the year. The top trending searches are not merely a reflection of breaking news but also highlight personal interests ranging from culinary experiments to travel aspirations.

Top Global Searches

1. Gemini
2. India vs England
3. Charlie Kirk
4. Club World Cup
5. India vs Australia
6. Deepseek
7. Asia Cup
8. Iran
9. iPhone 17
10. Pakistan and India

The predominance of sports in these searches illustrates how much they resonate with audiences, particularly cricket, which remains a beloved pastime in many regions. Yet, the presence of more eclectic searches, like for Gemini and Charlie Kirk, shows the variety of public interests shaping the year.

The US Perspective

The search trends in the United States reveal a diverging focus from global interests. Here, political figures and entertainment often take precedence. For instance, Charlie Kirk topped the US searches, and KPop Demon Hunters caught the attention of a younger demographic.

US Top 10 Searches

1. Charlie Kirk
2. KPop Demon Hunters
3. Labubu
4. iPhone 17
5. One Big Beautiful Bill Act
6. Zohran Mamdani
7. DeepSeek
8. Government shutdown
9. FIFA Club World Cup
10. Tariffs

The difference in these lists offers a glimpse into the cultural and political landscape, where certain personalities and entertainment properties play a crucial role.

News and Current Events

A significant part of the human experience involves staying informed about current events. Searches in 2025 reflected urgent matters ranging from natural disasters to political controversies.

Global Top Trending News

1. Charlie Kirk assassination
2. Iran
3. US Government Shutdown
4. New Pope chosen
5. LA Fires
6. Hurricane Melissa
7. TikTok ban
8. Zohran Mamdani elected
9. USAID
10. Kamchatka Earthquake and Tsunami

On the US side, searches focused even more on political debates and significant legislative actions, showing a growing interest in domestic matters.

US Top Trending News

1. One Big Beautiful Bill Act
2. Government shutdown
3. Charlie Kirk assassination
4. Tariffs
5. No Kings protest
6. Los Angeles fires
7. New Pope chosen
8. Epstein files
9. U.S. Presidential Inauguration
10. Hurricane Melissa

These lists not only reveal what was trending but also speak to societal concerns and interests, shaping public discourse in 2025.

AI’s Surge in Popularity

AI has not only dominated the year in terms of tools like Gemini but also permeated daily life in other ways. Searches for AI-generated content surged across many categories, indicating a curiosity about the technological future and its implications.

Top AI Trends in the US

• AI action figure
• AI Barbie
• Holy airball
• AI Ghostface
• AI Polaroid

The creativity and innovation in AI generated a wave of interest that translated into a variety of searches, demonstrating a palpable excitement around its potential.

Spotlight on People

The people search trends spotlighted individuals who shaped culture and current events. From musicians to political figures, the searches reveal who held the public’s gaze.

Global Most Searched People

1. d4vd
2. Kendrick Lamar
3. Jimmy Kimmel
4. Tyler Robinson
5. Pope Leo XIV
6. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
7. Shedeur Sanders
8. Bianca Censori
9. Zohran Mamdani
10. Greta Thunberg

US Top Most Searched People

1. Zohran Mamdani
2. Tyler Robinson
3. d4vd
4. Erika Kirk
5. Pope Leo XIV
6. Shedeur Sanders
7. Bonnie Blue
8. Karoline Leavitt
9. Andy Byron
10. Jimmy Kimmel

The searches surrounding these personalities provide insight into the complex tapestry of interests that tied them to the public consciousness.

The Entertainment Landscape

Entertainment continues to be a powerful force in shaping societal conversations. Breakthrough performances and anticipated movie releases drove much of the search activity in 2025.

Actor Searches

Mikey Madison, following her acclaimed role in Anora, became a global search sensation, while Pedro Pascal stood out in the US.

Global Top 5 Actors

1. Mikey Madison
2. Lewis Pullman
3. Isabela Merced
4. Song Ji Woo
5. Kaitlyn Dever

US Top 5 Actors

1. Pedro Pascal
2. Malachi Barton
3. Walton Goggins
4. Pamela Anderson
5. Charlie Sheen

Movie Buzz

Anticipation for both franchise entries and fresh narratives fueled search interest in films.

Global Top 5 Movies

1. Anora
2. Superman
3. Minecraft Movie
4. Thunderbolts
5. Sinners

US Top 5 Movies

1. KPop Demon Hunters
2. Sinners
3. The Minecraft Movie
4. Happy Gilmore 2
5. Thunderbolts

Book Trends

Books about love and classic literature saw a resurgence in popularity, with titles from renowned authors and contemporary voices both dominating searches.

Global Top 10 Books

1. Regretting You – Colleen Hoover
2. Onyx Storm – Rebecca Yarros
3. Lights Out – Navessa Allen
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty – Jenny Han
5. The Housemaid – Freida McFadden

US Top 10 Books

1. Regretting You – Colleen Hoover
2. Onyx Storm – Rebecca Yarros
3. Lights Out – Navessa Allen
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty – Jenny Han
5. It – Stephen King

Sports Fever

Sports provided a constant source of excitement for fans globally, with major events at the forefront of searches.

Global Top Sports Events

1. FIFA Club World Cup
2. Asia Cup
3. ICC Champions Trophy
4. ICC Women’s World Cup
5. Ryder Cup

US Top Sports Events

1. Ryder Cup
2. 4 Nations Face-Off
3. UFC 313
4. UFC 311
5. College Football Playoff

From soccer to mixed martial arts, the passion for sports was palpable in the upsurge of related searches.

Lifestyle Trends

As travel regained momentum post-pandemic, searches for destinations surged, showcasing where people want to explore.

US Top 10 Travel Searches

1. Boston
2. Seattle
3. Tokyo
4. New York
5. Prague
6. London
7. San Diego
8. Acadia National Park
9. Edinburgh
10. Miami

This surge in travel interest reflects a yearning for exploration and connection in a post-pandemic world.

Google Maps Insights

Historic and beautifully designed bookstores became hotspots for searches on Google Maps, illustrating a love for literature.

Global Top 5 Bookstores

1. Livraria Lello – Porto, Portugal
2. Animate Ikebukuro – Tokyo, Japan
3. El Ateneo Grand Splendid – Buenos Aires, Argentina
4. Shakespeare and Company – France
5. Libreria Acqua Alta – Italy

US Top 5 Bookstores

1. Powell’s City of Books – Portland
2. Strand Book Store – New York
3. The Last Bookstore – Los Angeles
4. Kinokuniya New York
5. Stanford University Bookstore

As we reflect on 2025, the data reveals a complexity where serious global issues intertwine with our everyday interests. Searches line up not only with emerging trends but also with the rich tapestry of human curiosity, reflecting what we care about in both serious and lighthearted moments.

For a visual recap, you can watch the complete Google Year in Search video available here, and explore more insights and data at Google Trends.