Google processes two-out-of-three Internet queries made each day. These queries give marketers a snapshot of trends around the world. This research gives us a good idea of what people are thinking and wondering about.
People search for many things in life – we search for love, happiness, health, and search for answers to the questions of our times. We all wonder WHY. What did the world wonder “why?” about in the year 2020? Take a look:
- Why is it called COVID-19?
- Why is Mars red?
- Why are schools closed?
- Why am I so tired?
- Why are there so many fires?
- Why are people protesting?
- Why is empathy important?
- Why do people dream?
Google tracks searches on an individual country basis as well as globally. Lists are based on search terms that had the highest spike this year as compared to the previous year. Globally, some of the most searched for topics in 2020 included the coronavirus, election results, Kobe Bryant, Zoom, and IPL. Top searches globally also included our questions about George Floyd, Joe Biden, lyrics to WAP, movies Parasite and Contagion, and recipes for sourdough bread and pizza.
Take a look at the list – which of these topics did you search for in 2020?
Group Activities and Discussion Questions:
- Before showing the Google results, poll students as to what they think the top searches were in 2020. Why those topics? Is this the same for different countries?
- Next, show the Google site of the top searches: https://trends.google.com/trends/yis/2020/GLOBAL/
- Discuss the importance of market research. What are sources that can be used? Why is tracking trends important?
- Divide students into teams and have each team examine a different Top 10 List topic. What are the trends from that topic?
- How can these trends be used to develop new products?
- Debrief the exercise by listing the ideas from each team.
Source: Google Trends. Year in search 2020.
