Skip to content
Sunday 30 August 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE · FR
MorningWire

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,824.26
+0.29%
DAX
26,569.99
+0.77%
CAC 40
8,401.18
+0.98%
STOXX 50
6,485.67
+0.95%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceEU InstitutionsCompetitionPublic AffairsBankingTechnologyEnergy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • DE
Wednesday 16 December 2015 8:01 am

Google year in search trends 2015: Cilla Black, iPhone 6s, Rugby World Cup and Adele – Here’s how we searched the web this year

By: Lynsey Barber

Add as a preferred source on Google

If there's any indicator into the psyche of the nation, it has to be what we spend our time googling. And this year it was all about Cilla Black, the iPhone 6s, and even the election managed to get our fingers typing.

We said Hello to Adele more than any other musician and while the Rugby World Cup may have been a bust for England, it dominated the biggest moments of the year.

[infographic id="454"]

[infographic id="451"]

[infographic id="452"]

If you're wondering why noughties pop crooner Daniel Beddingfield was big in 2015, you're not alone. He didn't just get through it (boom-tish) he made a come back. Apparently.

The world (or, tv viewers, mainly) was introduced to Lady Colin Campbell, thanks to a stint on I'm a Celebrity. Meanwhile, the meme of the year award must go to Ronnie Pickering, an everyday man who found internet fame and gets a nod on the most searched male celebrity list as a result. (And, if you haven't seen the video, take a look.)

“Homegrown celebrities have generated a lot of interest in particular, while the passing of well-known figures made people want to learn more about them," said Matt Cooke, the head of London's Google News Lab.

"Some of the defining topics and traditions of British life, such as the General Election results, the Grand National, and Jeremy Clarkson, have generated a surge in Google searches and will be remembered as events that have characterised the year.”

[infographic id="453"]

[infographic id="455"]

As for classic questions, the most popular "who is" was not, in fact, Pickering, but "who is Lucy the Australopithecus?", while "how to lose belly fat" was the most popular "how to", even before peak mince pie season has hit. And we asked Google "what is a Penny Black stamp". Of course. 

Naturally there was only one name dominating politics this year. People may not believe he can win a General Election, but Jeremy Corbyn certainly roused curiosity got people tapping at their keyboards.

[infographic id="457"]

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Tech

Trending Articles

  • Pensioners to hand over bank statements in government benefits crackdown

  • Jamie Carragher: HMRC petitions for Sky Sports star to be declared bankrupt

  • Jamie Vardy bags Bundesliga rights as he steps up streaming war with Neville and Lineker

  • City firms mandate phone and face-to-face comms bootcamps for Gen Z lawyers

  • Brewdog founder James Watt hits out at ‘total silence’ over new venture

More from Morning Wire

  • Champions Cup rugby team hacked in ransom attack with player data at risk

    Sport Business
    Rugby player in a pink uniform running with the ball, pursued by an opponent in a black jersey.
  • Prem Rugby team ditch Big Game fixture at Premier League ground

    Sport Business
    Empty stadium stands with large banners supporting MND awareness, Gloucester Rugby, and the Slater Cup.
  • How sevens and Olympics can be commercial rugby lifeline

    Sport Business
    Smiling athlete in white jacket holding a gold medal, reaching out to cheering fans in a stadium.
  • Sorry Hearn, Northampton Saints idiots if they pay Pollock £1m

    Sport Business
    GettyImages 2282147422
  • London City 7s sign up Springbok-producing powerhouse varsity team

    Sport Business
    Siya Kolisi, Springboks captain, in a green and gold rugby jersey during a match
  • South Africa sport minister on Olympics bid, Formula 1, Springboks and LIV Golf

    Sport Business
    Rugby player in green jersey with Pic n Pay 13 shaking hands with a smiling man in a suit and tie
  • South Africa need cash from New Zealand Tests but All Blacks fans not like Lions

    Sport Business
    New Zealand All Blacks perform the Haka facing South African Springboks rugby team on field.
  • Ticket price hikes proof Wales Rugby Union is tone deaf to loyal fan concerns

    Sport Business
    Aerial view of Cardiff city, Principality Stadium, and surrounding buildings under a blue sky
MorningWire

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe

Business

  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Competition
  • Public Affairs

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About Morning Wire
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 Morning Wire Ltd · Published by Morning Wire Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook