What US Google searches revealed about Americans in 2015

World Today

The questions we ask reveal who we are, according to Google’s 2015 year-end video. Mining data with regard to the countless searches by users, the search engine giant has revealed what people truly care about.

Here are the top ten searched topics in the U.S. this year. (To see the global list, click here.)

 

1. Paris Attacks

paris

On Friday, Nov. 13, the world watch in horror as terrorists laid siege on the French capital, attacking a theatre, a stadium, restaurant, and cafe.

The coordinated attacks were the deadliest on French soil since World War II. They prompted global outrage and a resolve to take on the Islamic State militant group while finding a resolution to the nearly five-year-long Syrian civil war.


 

2. Adele

This CD cover image released by Columbia Records shows, "25," the latest release by Adele. Adele debuted her long-awaited album, "25," and it sold a whopping five million copies in just three weeks of release. (Columbia Records via AP)

This CD cover image released by Columbia Records shows, “25,” the latest release by Adele. Adele debuted her long-awaited album, “25,” and it sold a whopping five million copies in just three weeks of release. (Columbia Records via AP)

The British singer-songwriter returned with a vengeance this fall. Adele had once taken the world by storm with her debut single “Rolling In The Deep”, and in 2015, she soared back to the top with her critically-acclaimed third album, “25”. In just a few short days, the single “Hello” became one of the most-viewed music videos of the year on YouTube.


 

3. ‪‪Oscars 2015
oscarsHollywood’s biggest event of the year was also an online extravaganza, with millions logging on to search for the winners, nominees and attendees.

This year, Best Picture went to “Birdman,” Best Actor went to Eddie Redmayne, and Best Actress went to Julianne Moore. Top trending questions about the Oscars included, ““What were the Oscar statuettes made of during World War II?” and “What is ‘Birdman’ about?”


 

4. ‪‪Caitlyn Jenner

jenner
Former Olympian Bruce Jenner shocked the world when he revealed his true self to the world in a July 2015 Vanity Fair cover story, announcing that he’d changed his gender and name from Bruce to Caitlyn. The story of the transgendered former Olympic gold-medalist brought much-needed focus on issues of identity and sexuality. 


 

5. U.S. presidential campaigns

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2015, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during a campaign stop at the Westfair Amphitheater in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Clinton knows from three previous trips down the presidential campaign trail, politicking means picking your food carefully. Since launching her campaign bid in April, Clinton has embarked on a rigorous diet plan, hoping to stave off the pounds that often accompany the near-sleepless nights and non-stop snacking of a campaign. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

FILE – In this Oct. 7, 2015, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during a campaign stop at the Westfair Amphitheater in Council Bluffs, Iowa. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

One year away from the final vote, the race has begun in earnest. Battle lines have been drawn during the primaries as candidates have laid out their positions. For the Democrats, it has been Hillary Clinton who appears to be emerging as the frontrunner. But the story of this year has been potential Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has dominated the headlines since June for his brutish approach and often outlandish policy suggestions.


 

6. ‪Mayweather vs. Pacquiao

mayweather
It was billed as the Fight of the Century, and for lovers of the sport, the contest did not disappoint. The historic boxing match took place in a Las Vegas ring on May 2, 2015, when undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. beat the Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao. While Pacquiao lost the bout, he did win hearts, it seems, drawing greater search interest than Mayweather.


 

7. Black Lives Matter

NYC action in solidarity with Ferguson. Mo, encouraging a boycott of Black Friday Consumerism.

NYC action in solidarity with Ferguson. Mo, encouraging a boycott of Black Friday Consumerism.

A year after Michael Brown was killed, the Black Lives Matter movement continued to gain national attention in America, highlighting the painful racism that still haunts a country envisioned as democratic and inclusive.

The shooting of Michael Brown occurred on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, a northern suburb of St. Louis. Brown, an 18-year-old unarmed African-American male, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, 28, a white Ferguson police officer who mistook Brown as a robbery suspect.


 

8. Guns in America

guns
Since 2006, there have been more than 200 mass shootings in the United States. 2015 saw tragedy after tragedy, with the most recent case occurring just two weeks ago on Dec. 2 in San Bernardino, California, claiming 14 lives.

Obama has called for revising the nation’s gun law again and again, but has found partisan differences in Congress to be a stumbling block.


 

9. ‪Star Wars

A fan dressed as a Stormtrooper is seen amid other fans as they gather for a promotional event for the upcoming Star Wars film. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI

A fan dressed as a Stormtrooper is seen amid other fans as they gather for a promotional event for the upcoming Star Wars film. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI

The Force Awakens: After months of anticipation, the latest installment of the Star Wars franchise hit screens on December 18, wowing fans. The franchise crosses national and cultural boundaries, which is evident from the fact that its promos prompted a worldwide response of excitement. The first official Star Wars trailer, that went public in October, is one of the most-viewed movie trailers of all time.


 

10. Royals win the World Series

royals
The Kansas City Royals and New York Mets took to the field for the 2015 World Series finals from October 27 to November 2, 2015. The Royals beat the Mets, achieving their second World Series victory. The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in North America.