Google’s “2022 Year in Search – Themes and Insights” report has revealed the top ten most searched people of the year on Google. The list provides insight into the stories and events that generated the most interest this year, from high court celebrity drama to British politics and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Johnny Depp
Actor Johnny Depp topped the charts in December, after he reached a settlement in his defamation lawsuits against Amber Heard. The trial, which took place earlier in the year, was highly publicized and watched by millions of people. Though it was officially a case of defamation, the proceedings often devolved into personal attacks and accusations of abuse from both parties. The prolonged and bitter nature of the trial was a disappointment for many.
Will Smith
Smith caused a stir this year when he slapped the Oscars host, Chris Rock, after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The incident was widely reported and even made it to the top trending news category at number nine. As a result of the altercation, Smith has been banned from attending the Oscars for the next decade.
Amber Heard
Coming in at third place on the list is Amber Heard. Despite Johnny Depp winning the defamation trial in the United States, it appears that he has also emerged victorious in the public relations battle as Heard is the third most searched person on Google this year. After reaching a settlement in their defamation lawsuits, Heard stated that the decision was difficult for her and that she never wanted this outcome.
She wrote on Instagram, “I defended my truth and in doing so my life as I knew it was destroyed. The vilification I have faced on social media is an amplified version of the ways in which women are re-victimized when they come forward.
Russian President Vladimir Puti
The fourth most searched individual on the list is Russian President Vladimir Putin. This reflects the significant impact that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has had on global news and media coverage. In fact, the term “Ukraine” was the most searched for news item and the third most popular search term globally.
Chris Rock
Coming in at fifth place is Chris Rock, the host of the Oscars who was involved in the incident with Will Smith. He also secured the fourth spot as the most searched-for actor, while Jada Pinkett Smith took fifth place.
Novak Djokovic
In sixth place is Novak Djokovic, who also holds the title of the most searched athlete on Google. The 21-time major winner is currently preparing for a chance to earn his tenth Australian Open crown, as he has been granted a visa to compete in Australia in January. Despite being banned from competing at the Australian Open and the US Open due to not being vaccinated, the 35-year-old Serbian still managed to win his seventh Wimbledon title and the ATP Finals. Tennis players dominated this year’s most searched athletes on Google, with Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams holding the second and third global spots respectively.
Anna Sorokin
Seventh on the list is Anna Sorokin, also known as Anna Delvey, a Russian-born German con artist and fraudster. The popular Netflix series “Inventing Anna” was based on the exploits of Anna Sorokin, who posed as a wealthy heiress and attempted to defraud hotels, banks, and acquaintances in New York City between 2013 and 2017. The show was nominated for three Emmy Awards.
Andrew Tate
Andrew Tate, a British-American influencer and kickboxer, ranks eighth on the list. His popularity soared in August when he was banned from several social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, for violating their community guidelines. Despite self-identifying as a “success coach,” Tate has faced criticism for his allegedly misogynistic advice and promotion of toxic masculinity.
Rishi Sunak
Coming in at number nine on the list is Rishi Sunak, the United Kingdom’s Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sunak’s appointment to this position sparked a surge of searches on Google, as many were curious about the drama surrounding Liz Truss’ resignation, the millionaire status of Sunak’s wife, and the fact that he is the first non-white person to hold the position of Prime Minister in the United Kingdom.
Simon Leviev
Last but not least, tenth on the list is Simon Leviev, another scammer who made it to the list of the most searched people of the year. It’s unclear what specific scam or fraud Leviev was involved in, but it is clear that his actions generated a lot of interest among the public.
In conclusion, the Google “2022 Year in Search – Themes and Insights” report provides a glimpse into the stories and events that captured the public’s attention this year. From celebrity drama, to politics and conflicts, the list is a reflection of the topics and people that generated the most interest among the public. It will be interesting to see how the list changes in the years to come, and what stories and events will capture the public’s imagination in the future.
