What the world searched on Google in 2025: Trends, tech and tragedy

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(Photo by Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Google’s list of 2025’s top trending searches captures a year marked by political upheaval, pop-culture frenzies and headline-grabbing tech breakthroughs.

Here’s what Google named as 2025’s top trending searches:

1. Charlie Kirk

Erika Kirk speaks at husband’s memorial

Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, publicly forgave the man who killed her husband during a memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday. "I forgive him because it is what Christ did," she told the thousands of memorial attendees.

Charlie Kirk, who rose from a teenage conservative campus activist to a top podcaster and ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed in September during one of his trademark public appearances at a college in Utah. He was 31. Utah prosecutors have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder. They plan to seek the death penalty.

2. KPop Demon Hunters

Netflix had its first No. 1 box-office title in the streaming company’s 18-year history thanks to the sensation of "KPop Demon Hunters." The film centers on Huntr/x, a KPop superstar trio who double as demon hunters. The members, Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong) and Zooey (Ji-young Yoo), must protect their fans and face their biggest enemy yet: a rival boy band made up of demons in disguise.

3. Labubu

Labubu, the plush toy from China’s Pop Mart, is a social media darling. The Labubu, by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, first appeared with pointed ears and pointy teeth, in three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology in 2015. Fans have latched on to Labubu’s mashup of play and fashion, making them accessories on handbags, backpacks and belts, or hanging them from car mirrors.

4. iPhone 17

Apple releases latest iPhone, thinnest ever "Air"

Apple announced the release of their latest batch of tech products, including updates to the in-demand products iPhones and AirPods.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 lineup in September. It includes the introduction of the iPhone Air, which Apple says is its thinnest smartphone yet. And, as seen in years past, its newest phones boast better cameras, longer lasting batteries and a handful of other upgrades across the board. The latest devices come with a new a A19 chip, which will particularly help power Apple’s artificial intelligence features.

Apple’s going price for the iPhone 17 begins at about $800 — compared to $1,100 and $1,200 for its iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models. The iPhone Air will start at $1,000.

5. One Big Beautiful Bill Act

In July, President Donald Trump signed the tax and spending cut bill Republicans that muscled through Congress. At nearly 900 pages, the legislation is a sprawling collection of tax breaks, spending cuts and other Republican priorities, including new money for national defense and deportations. Democrats united against the legislation, but were powerless to stop it as long as Republicans stayed united.

The Source: The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes from Google’s official release of its top trending searches for 2025, which identifies the people, events, and topics that saw the largest spike in search interest over the year. This story was reported from Los Angeles.

Google Charlie Kirk Entertainment Apple Politics U.S.News