Johnny Depp, Wordle among year's top trending Google searches
We couldn't stop Googling controversial celebrities — and Wordle help — in 2022.
Google has revealed the top trending searches of 2022 in the United States, which is determined by looking at which terms had the biggest spike in interest this year compared to 2021. Overall, the number one top trending search was Wordle, the word game that became a massive sensation after launching in late 2021.
But in the category of people, the top trending search was Johnny Depp thanks to a spike in interest amid his high-profile defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard. Heard, who accused Depp of domestic abuse and was found to have defamed him, was third on the list of trending people. In between them was Will Smith, who infamously slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars in March. Election results, Betty White, Queen Elizabeth II, and Bob Saget were also top searches.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Meanwhile, the top trending movie of 2022 was Encanto — despite the fact that it came out in 2021. But its earworm "We Don't Talk About Bruno," which was also the year's top trending song, largely didn't become a phenomenon until early 2022. Thor: Love and Thunder, Top Gun: Maverick, The Batman, and Everything Everywhere All at Once were the other top movies, while the top TV shows were Euphoria, Stranger Things, The Watcher, Inventing Anna, and House of the Dragon.
There was also, naturally, a spike in interest around Ukraine amid Russia's invasion, which was the third top trending news story after the midterm elections and the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The top trend under "how to help" was also "how to help Ukraine."
Check out the full list of trending searches here.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The future of X
Talking Point Trump's ascendancy is reviving the platform's coffers, whether or not a merger is on the cards
By The Week UK Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published