The Top 2022 Google Searches in The UK Were…

1. Is the Queen dead?
2. When is the Queen’s funeral?
3. Why is Russia Invading Ukraine?
4. Where will the queen be buried?
5. How old is Diana Ross?

Source: https://trends.google.com/trends/yis/2022/GB/

So, what can we take from this in business as far as public interest is concerned?

There are plenty of things we can take out of this.

I’ll keep it to 5 points here for brevity

1. The Royal Family are big news
2. Megan and Harry’s timing on speaking out about them right now is having a very polarising effect on public perception
3. Indeed, the tens of thousands of deaths in the Russia-Ukraine conflict are not as interesting as the death of the Queen
4. All brands to do with skincare, vitality or wellbeing would do well to get in touch with Diana Ross for a chat
5. A Royal Family member attached to your brand would likely be a very good idea right now, unless it’s Prince Andrew

Beyond this, Google reveals our top 5 searches:

1. Wordle
2. World Cup
3. Queen Elizabeth
4. Ukraine
5. Lateral Flow Test

I’ve just had to Google Wordle as I sat clueless looking at that.

If, like me you are part of the seemingly small group of the uninitiated; Wordle is a word game.

So, the UK last year was most interested in:

1. Word games
2. Football
3. Royal Family news
4. War updates
5. Breathing

The timing for the creation of a football-related word game, involving the teams each side of the Royal Family feud, could be the next unicorn.

Or not.

But trust me on this: it’s not until your breathing goes that you realise where you should have been looking all along!

Another stat from 2022 Google Trends:

Interestingly, the Queen didn’t make the top 5 most searched people in 2022.

So, who are these shining lights which drew the most attention in the UK last year?

1. Mason Greenwood
2. Johnny Depp
3. Will Smith
4. Liz Truss
5. Amber Heard

Therefore:

1. We don’t like unwanted sexual advances more than anything else, especially if you are a professional footballer
2. We love a high-profile celebrity fall out
3. If you want to save money on upping your profile, slap acomedian at an awards ceremony
4. Politics is dangerous, especially after Boris
5. We love bad news and dysfunction, especially amongst actors

Johnny Depp, Amber Heard and Will Smith were the top 3 searches globally in 2022.

With Jade Pinkett-Smith and Chris Rock replacing Mason and Liz on the global chart.

So, from a business perspective I’m led to my final conclusions:

If you want the fast-track to getting your brand out there, an awards ceremony for actors is your fast track to success.

Just add alcohol.