We were all googling what in 2018? A fascinating look back at the digital rabbit holes we collectively fell into. From World Cup fever to keeping tabs on Facebook, our search behavior tells a revealing story about what captured our attention and dominated the cultural conversation.

What The World Searched For in 2018

Remember 2018? It feels like forever ago in internet years. But looking back at what we were all searching for gives us an amazing snapshot of where our collective heads were at.

Google’s “Year in Search” report tracks the biggest search spikes compared to previous years – not just raw volume, but the topics that suddenly had everyone frantically typing into search bars.

Let’s break down what the world was googling in 2018, and what it tells us about us.

The Biggest Search Spikes of 2018

World Cup Fever

The 2018 FIFA World Cup absolutely dominated search traffic. This makes perfect sense – it’s the most watched sporting event on the planet, with over 3.5 billion viewers tuning in from every corner of the globe.

When France hoisted that trophy, they weren’t just celebrating in Paris – they were trending worldwide.

Celebrity Deaths and Public Mourning

2018 saw the loss of several beloved figures, triggering massive search spikes:

• Avicii – The Swedish DJ’s unexpected death at 28
• Mac Miller – Rapper who passed at just 26
• Stan Lee – The Marvel legend who created so many iconic superheroes
• Kate Spade – Fashion designer whose death shocked fans

These searches reflect our collective grief and curiosity. When someone famous dies, we immediately want to know how, why, and we often revisit their life’s work.

Blockbuster Movies

Three films in particular had everyone searching:

• Black Panther
• Avengers: Infinity War
• Deadpool 2

Black Panther wasn’t just a movie – it was a cultural phenomenon that broke box office records and sparked conversations about representation in film.

Weather and Money

When nature threatens, we turn to Google. Hurricane Florence triggered a surge in weather-related searches as people sought real-time information.

And apparently, we all wanted to be rich in 2018, with “Mega Millions Results” becoming one of the most searched terms. Hey, someone’s gotta win that jackpot, right?

What We Searched For Every Day

While trending searches show spikes in interest, the highest volume keywords reveal our daily digital habits.

Social Media Dominated Everything

No surprise here – our most frequent searches were for the platforms we use daily:

• Facebook (the #1 global search term)
• YouTube
• Facebook Login (because apparently remembering where to sign in is hard)
• Gmail
• Google Translate (which saw a 22% increase in 2018!)

These weren’t trending searches – they were the consistent, everyday searches that formed the backbone of our online lives. We were basically using Google as a navigation tool to get to other parts of the internet.

Practical Digital Tools

Beyond social platforms, we were searching for tools that help us navigate both the digital and physical worlds:

• Weather (because looking outside is so 2017)
• Google Maps
• Netflix (and chill, presumably)

Shopping Searches

Retail brands like Walmart, Best Buy, and Canadian Tire appeared high on the list, showing how e-commerce and physical retail continued to blend.

How Search Behavior Reveals Our World

The way we search is like a massive ongoing focus group on human interests. Google Trends helps visualize this with normalized scores from 0-100.

For marketers and content creators, these insights are gold. When you know that interest in running shoes spikes in January (hello, New Year’s resolutions) and again in spring, you can time campaigns accordingly.

Google Trends distinguishes between broad topics like “running shoes” and specific queries like “Nike running shoes,” giving granular insights into what people actually want to know.

The Search Engine Landscape

It’s worth remembering that in 2018, Google held over 90% of the search market. While Amazon was growing for product searches, Google dominated for general information, images, and video.

That’s why Google’s data gives us the most comprehensive picture of what the world was searching for.

What This All Means

So what can we learn from 2018’s search behavior?

Cultural Moments Matter

Major events like the World Cup and celebrity news significantly influence search behavior. When something captures global attention, it dominates search traffic.

We Rely on Digital Tools

The prominence of searches for social media, communication apps, and translation services shows just how integrated these tools have become in our daily lives.

Search Varies by Location

What’s popular in one country might be completely different in another. Search patterns vary significantly by geography, which is why global brands need localized strategies.

Trends Provide Opportunity

By monitoring emerging interests and seasonal fluctuations, businesses can stay ahead with fresh, engaging content aligned with what people are actually interested in.

The keywords we search reveal so much about us – our interests, fears, hopes, and daily habits. In 2018, we were sports fans, mourners, moviegoers, weather-watchers, and hopeful lottery players. We were also, fundamentally, people looking for connection, information, and entertainment in an increasingly digital world.

And isn’t that still true today? The platforms and trending topics may change, but our human curiosity remains constant.