Each year, Google publishes an extensive analytical report that unveils the most prominent and rapidly rising search queries from around the globe, effectively serving as a collective snapshot of what captured humanity’s attention over the preceding twelve months. This annual tradition offers not only a record of data, but also a fascinating reflection of global interests and curiosities as they evolve across diverse realms such as pop culture, mass entertainment, emerging internet phenomena, and headline-making current events. In the 2025 edition, audiences worldwide demonstrated curiosity spanning an eclectic spectrum—from culinary topics like the sweet, spicy appeal of hot honey to the accelerating fascination with artificial intelligence chatbots, and even topics connected to major sports franchises such as the Toronto Blue Jays.
Before delving into the intricate details of these findings, it is crucial to clarify one often misunderstood distinction: Google’s “Year in Search” report does not simply list the most frequented or commonly searched terms on the platform. If it did, perennial staples such as “weather,” “maps,” or “news” would inevitably dominate the list every year, offering little insight into changing patterns of cultural or social curiosity. Instead, the compilation focuses specifically on trending topics—searches that experienced a noticeable, sustained spike in popularity compared to the previous year. Thus, the 2025 report highlights those subjects that captured sudden, widespread interest or influenced public discourse in new and remarkable ways.
Leading the global rankings for 2025 was the term “Gemini,” referring to Google’s own sophisticated AI chatbot. This development underscores the rapidly expanding intrigue surrounding artificial intelligence systems capable of conversation, reasoning, and creative collaboration. Following closely behind were queries related to the high-profile sports event “India vs England” and to public figure “Charlie Kirk,” both of which drew substantial attention due to their respective cultural impact and newsworthiness. Notably, Gemini was not the only AI-driven platform to rise on the list: DeepSeek, another chatbot recognized for its technical performance and growing user base, secured the seventh position—further evidence that conversational AI dominated the year’s digital landscape.
In the news category specifically, Google’s data revealed that “Charlie Kirk” emerged as the most searched topic, particularly due to the surge in queries related to “Charlie Kirk assassination,” which led the list of political and social news interests. The second and third most trending news searches were “Iran,” an indicator of continuing global geopolitical focus, and “US Government Shutdown,” reflecting the world’s concern with American political developments and their economic implications.
Shifting from world affairs to culinary exploration, the realm of food-related searches captured humanity’s enduring appetite for discovery and comfort. The top trending recipe was hot honey—a fusion condiment balancing sweetness with heat that has recently enchanted chefs and home cooks alike. It was followed by “Marry Me Chicken,” a creamy, popular dish known for its indulgent flavor and viral internet fame, and “chimichurri,” the vibrant Argentine sauce prized for its freshness and versatility.
When it came to cinema, 2025 audiences were most captivated by “Anora,” which claimed the top spot among movie-related searches, followed by the ever-iconic “Superman” and the highly anticipated “Minecraft Movie.” In the category dedicated to actors, Mikey Madison, the acclaimed performer in “Anora,” held the number one position, while Lewis Pullman—recognized for his role in Marvel’s “Thunderbolts”—secured the second spot. Rounding out the top three was Isabela Merced, who appeared in the latest “Superman” project and earned widespread recognition for her rapidly ascending career.
The sports sector of the report highlighted the global nature of competition and fandom. “FIFA Club World Cup” took the lead among all sports searches, mirroring soccer’s unparalleled international following. It was trailed by the “Asia Cup” and the “ICC Champions Trophy,” both key tournaments in the cricket world. Among specific sports teams, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., the powerhouse French football club, topped the list, followed by Portugal’s S.L. Benfica and Canada’s Toronto Blue Jays, indicating diverse regional interests across continents.
In the expanding domain of podcasts, “The Charlie Kirk Show” drew the greatest search momentum of the year, reaffirming Charlie Kirk’s strong media presence. It was followed by “New Heights,” the podcast hosted by NFL brothers Jason and Travis Kelce, and “This is Gavin Newsom,” reflecting the growing intersection between politics, sports, and entertainment within digital audio media.
Meanwhile, literature lovers propelled Colleen Hoover’s emotionally charged novel “Regretting You” to the top of 2025’s trending book searches. Rebecca Yarros’ “Onyx Storm” placed second, continuing her acclaim among fantasy and romance readers, while Naveesa Allen’s “Lights Out” claimed the third position, demonstrating the enduring power of storytelling in digital search culture. For those wishing to explore the full breadth of this data, Google provides the complete “Year in Search” report online, offering a more detailed visualization of global interests and the forces shaping digital curiosity in 2025.
Sourse: https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/04/gemini-was-googles-top-trending-search-term-in-2025/
