Top Google searches of 2023: Titan submersible, Israel-Gaza war, Matthew Perry, hurricanes

Hollywood films Barbie and Oppenheimer also made it to the top searches

Published: December 27, 2023 18:50 Compiled by Nilanjana Javed, Editorial Liaison Manager and Washington Post

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TOP EVENTS SEARCHED IN 2023: Google searches offered a snapshot of the year's diverse and impactful events. The Israel-Gaza war emerged as the most searched news, capturing global attention after an October Hamas attack. Image Credit: AFP

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The Titan submersible's disappearance during a Titanic expedition also gripped the public. Image Credit: AP

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HURRICANES: Natural disasters made their mark, with hurricanes Hilary, Idalia, and Lee generating significant search interest. The role of advanced AI models in predicting storm landfalls showcased technological strides. Image Credit: Reuters

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NFL, DAMAR HAMLIN, JEREMY RENNER, TUCKER CARLSON: Top searches featured individuals, including NFL players like Damar Hamlin and Travis Kelce, actor Jeremy Renner, and Tucker Carlson. Hamlin's on-field collapse and subsequent recovery drew widespread interest, as did Renner's critical snowplow incident. Image Credit: AP/REUTERS

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MATTHEW PERRY: The year also saw the passing of notable figures—Matthew Perry, Tina Turner, and Sinéad O'Connor. Perry's death, linked to ketamine, sparked searches for toxicology reports. Turner's legacy and O'Connor's protest on "Saturday Night Live" were remembered globally. Image Credit: AP/AFP

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BARBIE, OPPENHEIMER: "Barbenheimer" became a cultural sensation, surpassing box office projections and setting new records. Both "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" earned hundreds of millions globally, generating significant interest on Google. Audiences sought showtimes and movie soundtracks while exploring the fascinating origin story of the iconic doll. Image Credit: Agencies

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SOUND OF FREEDOM: Despite lacking the pre-release buzz of Barbenheimer's dual premieres, "Sound of Freedom" emerged as a top-searched movie of the year. The film, partially funded by crowdfunding, exceeded expectations by grossing over $11 million in its opening weekend. Remarkably, it competed head-to-head with the latest "Indiana Jones" installment, demonstrating success despite its modest budget. Image Credit: IMDB

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ROMAN EMPIRE: Discussions about the Roman Empire were common in 2023. People inquired about the frequency and reasons behind individuals contemplating the Roman Empire, sparked by a TikTok trend that encouraged women to question the men in their lives about their thoughts on ancient Rome. The outcome revealed that such contemplations were surprisingly common. Image Credit: AP

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KEVIN JAMES MEME: The realm of miscellaneous trends proved intriguing, at times controversial and quirky. A viral meme featuring Kevin James, casually shrugging with hands in pockets, gained traction from promotional images of "The King of Queens." In September, users delved into why James became a meme. Image Credit: Reuters

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JASON ALDEAN: Jason Aldean stirred attention as a top trending search following the release of his music video for "Try That in a Small Town." Controversy arose as critics argued the video, edited to exclude Black Lives Matter imagery, contained implicit threats. Filmed at a lynching site, the song found both conservative defenders and success on the Billboard Hot 100, securing a No. 2 spot. Aldean defended it as a celebration of small-town virtues unrelated to race. Image Credit: REUTERS

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