PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
MajorsDec 14, 2017
What Were Americans Searching for Most This Year?
According to Google, they were interested in Hurricane Irma, Matt Lauer, soon-to-be-royal Meghan Markle and Unicorn Frappuccinos.
New York--Google’s list of most-searched terms in 2017 tended toward the more negative events and news that seemingly ruled the year.
On Wednesday, the technology company released its annual list of the top trending searches of the year in the United States and around the world. Google looked through all of its searches, filtered out spam and, of what remained, identified which terms had the highest increase in traffic compared with the previous year.
It released results in a number of categories, such as people, actors, news, how to, consumer tech and more.
Overall, the most-searched term among users in the U.S. was Hurricane Irma, followed by Matt Lauer, the popular “Today” show anchor who was fired in November amid sexual harassment claims; Tom Petty, who died in October; the Super Bowl and the Las Vegas shooting.
Lauer also topped the list of those trending in the “people” category, as did two other men who faced similar allegations: Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.
Meanwhile, at Nos. 2 and 4 on the most-search-for people list were soon-to-be-royal Meghan Markle and Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser.
Interestingly, Google provided a list for most-searched for calorie inquiries this year.
In what also reads like a list of foods for which calorie ignorance would be bliss, Google users in America were most curious about Unicorn Frappucinos, the Instagram-worthy beverage from Starbucks that took the Internet by storm earlier this year; the Grand Mac, a limited-time release from McDonald’s that was bigger than the Big Mac; Taco Bell’s Naked Chicken Chalupa; Mac Jr. and Starbucks’ Cascara latte.
Not surprisingly, Apple dominated the consumer technology list, with top searches being the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X. They were followed by the Nintendo Switch, the Samsung Galaxy X8 and the Razer phone, a new one to hit the market.
Worldwide, Hurricane Irma also topped the list of searches followed by the iPhone 8, iPhone X, Matt Lauer and Meghan Markle.
News-wise, in addition to looking at updates about the hurricane, people across the globe also were searching about Bitcoin, the
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Las Vegas shooting, North Korea and the solar eclipse.
In the “how to” category, people were trying to figure out how to make slime, how to make solar eclipse sunglasses and how to buy Bitcoin.
Google’s full list of top searches can be found online.
In the “how to” category, people were trying to figure out how to make slime, how to make solar eclipse sunglasses and how to buy Bitcoin.
Google’s full list of top searches can be found online.
More on Majors
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
