Shamontiel L. Vaughn
It’s pretty much a given that the year 2020 will have its own chapter–or course–in future history classes. And the words and phrases that were searched for the most on Google in 2020 perfectly encapsulates what came of it.
As of today, in the United States, there are 22,965,957 coronavirus infections and 383,351 deaths within a year of the outbreak reportedly reaching this country. So it makes sense that “coronavirus” dominated Google searches last year.
Here are the number one COVID-19 related search results:
- How to make: How to make hand sanitizer
- Near me: COVID testing near me
- Where is: Where is my stimulus money
- During coronavirus: Best stocks to buy during coronavirus
The Election Results are the only topic to beat out Coronavirus in top “Searches” and “News.” Only those in social isolation would immediately understand why Sourdough Bread made its way to number one in Recipes search results. While homebodies and loners may have enjoyed their alone time at home, others approached 2020 as “Cuffing Season” all year long, with Dating During Coronavirus beating out search results for dental appointments, unemployment and job searches during the pandemic.
While toilet paper was a hot enough topic that it was being stripped from shelves before stock employees could empty a box, PS5 beat out Where to Buy as the number-one pick in the search results. The X Box Series even beat out hand sanitizer. Those who weren’t playing video games may have gotten roped into watching the number one search in TV Shows: Tiger King. Wild tales helped keep people’s minds busy, including searching for the definition of WAP (courtesy of Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B’s collaboration) and Entanglement (courtesy of Jada Pinkett Smith’s “Red Table Talk” with her husband, Will Smith, after a singer was particularly talkative about her past).
Then came those who were searching for other ways to virtually entertainment themselves from their couches. The top-five Virtual Entertainment searches were (in this order):
- Virtual field trips
- Virtual museum tours
- Virtual Kentucky Derby
- Virtual learning
- Virtual NBA fans
Interestingly, 2020 brought back memories for those who recall that the Yellow Pages were more than just a website. Although there are only about 330 drive-in theaters left around a country that used to have as many as 4,000 in the 1950s, with movie theaters shut down and people getting restless, those who could find Drive-In Movie Theaters Near Me revisited yesteryear.
And of course, social justice advocates came out in droves, even with a pandemic going on.
Black Lives Matter appeared in several Google search categories:
- How to Help: How to help Black Lives Matter
- How to Donate: How to donate to Black Lives Matter
- Movies: Black Panther
- Why: Why Was George Floyd Arrested
While only time will tell what will be the top searches for 2021, it’s safe to say that Capitol Riots will make the cut and 2020 top-five results like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will maintain their spots.
