Google's top searches 2017: Irma, Matt Lauer, and more

Google has released the top searched topics for 2017.

In the year of #MeToo and hurricanes, it is no surprise that the involved topics led the list.

On top spot is Hurricane Irma, the strongest catastrophe to hit the Atlantic since 2005. In September, Irma ravaged most of the Caribbean and Florida Keys.

"The Today Show" journalist Matt Lauer, who was recently fired for harassment allegations, took the second spot for the overall searches, and the first among the people searched.

As one of the most familiar faces on TV, Lauer surpassed all the men who were linked to the issue, which started from film producer Harvey Weinstein and branched out to many other men in the industry, including comedian Louis C.K., music mogul Russell Simmons, and senator Al Franken, among a growing list.

Also among the top searches were singer Tom Petty, the Super Bowl, and the Las Vegas shooting.

The second spot on the people searched is "Suits" star Meghan Markle, who recently announced her engagement to Britain's Prince Harry.

Rounding up the top 5 for most searched people are Harvey, former U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, and actor Kevin Spacey, who was fired from "House of Cards" for accusations of harassment.

The Verge notes that 2017 also marked the many questions of "how to." In this branch, the top searches were "how to make slime," "how to make solar eclipse glasses," and the now famous question "how to buy Bitcoin."

It is worth noting that Google users went beyond that to ask more consequential questions like "how much will the wall cost," "how many refugees are there in the world," "how do hurricanes form," "how to freeze credit," and "how to help Puerto Rico."

Google's top searches give a glimpse of what the people are really thinking about in the year. Google determine the most popular searches by looking into trillions of queries, filtering out spam and repeat searches, and identifying those that had the highest increase in traffic as compared to last year.

News
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest

Of the eight children murdered during lockdown, 7 were killed thanks to the actions of a step parent or new partner.

Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running
Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running

Abortion was legalised in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high
Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high

Across the country, people are looking to the church for help.

Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year
Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year

Isaiah 41:10 had the highest international engagement on YouVersion during 2025, while in the UK it was Jeremiah 29:11 that topped the list.