Google Revealed What Canadians Searched The Most In 2023 & The Results Are Super Random

As 2023 winds down, it's time to peek behind the curtain of Google's search data, revealing what piqued Canadians' interest this year. From global events to the minutiae of daily life, search habits in Canada offer a unique window into the national psyche. In a year dominated by international incidents and personal quests for knowledge, Google's data unveils an intriguing assortment of interests across the country.

Canadian curiosity knows no bounds

International events caught the attention of Canadians, with Google searches spanning everything from the Women's World Cup to the Super Bowl. There was also strong interest in the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. Searches also revealed a year marked by notable departures, including celebrities like Matthew Perry and beloved Quebec singer Karl Tremblay.

Here were the top trending searches for news and events:

1. Ago
2. Sopfeu
3. 2023 Women's Soccer World Cup
4. Jenna Ortega
5. Matthew Perry
6. Inter Miami
7. Karl Tremblay
8. War in Israel and Gaza
9. Al Nassr
10. Travis Kelce

1. Jeremy Renner
2. Danny Masterson
3. Lil Tay
4. Tucker Carlson
5. Brendan Fraser
6. David Beckham
7. Pedro Pascal
8. Jenna Ortega
9. Bruce Willis
10. Jamie Foxx

Locks, stocks & banana bread

In their daily lives, Canadians turned to Google for practical advice, asking questions like "How to unlock a lock?" and "Does rayon shrink in the wash?".

"What killed Mickey Mouse?" was a viral curiosity thanks to a TikTok trend that saw people filming their reactions to the weirdest search results answering the question.

The top "How to" searches ranged from the wholesome "How to make banana bread?" to the more pragmatic "How to treat a urinary infection?". This was accompanied by a variety of "Why" questions, reflecting a blend of curiosity and concern, from "Why haven't I received that $600?" relating to the one-time CRA payment, to more offbeat queries, to "Why were cornflakes invented?".

The "Is it" searches further illustrate the mix of practicality and pop culture interest, with many asking "Is Rihanna pregnant?" and "Do skunks hibernate in winter?" Answer: they do not, but they are less active during the coldest season.

This year's top "how to" searches:

1. How did Mickey Mouse die?
2. How to make banana bread?
3. How to treat a urinary infection?
4. How to make Moroccan couscous sauce YouTube?
5. How to listen to the 2023 Super Bowl?
6. How to withdraw RRSP without paying tax?
7. How to unlock a lock
8. How to moisturize your hair?
9. How to record a YouTube video?
10. Loto Quebec 2nd chance how does it work?

And top searches starting with "why":

1. Why didn't I receive the $600?
2. Why were cornflakes invented?
3. Why is the sun red?
4. Why prescribe methadone?
5. Why did PA leave Survivor Quebec?
6. Why do we sleep?
7. Why the war in Israel?
8. Why are the twins leaving Révolution?
9. Why is Henry Cavill leaving The Witcher?
10. Why does my dog lick me all the time?

Screen-related searches

Cultural interests also showed through Google searches, with a diverse range of movies and TV shows capturing Canadian attention. The phenomenon of "Barbenheimer" propelled films like Oppenheimer and Barbie to the top of the list.

Television series garnered significant interest, with titles like "The Last of Us" and "Ginny & Georgia" leading the pack. Quebecers also sought information about popular Quebec TV shows, asking "Why did PA leave Survivor Quebec?" or "Why are the Twins leaving Révolution?" Renowned dance siblings Laurent and Larry Bourgeois announced they wouldn't return as mentors for the fifth season of Révolution, due to scheduling conflicts between their international projects and the reality show's filming dates.

Film-related searches in Quebec included:

1. Mario Bros
2. Barbie
3. The Dishwasher (Le Plongeur)
4. Oppenheimer
5. Dungeons and Dragons
6. Victoire (La Cordonnière)
   
7. Testament
8. Elemental
9. Bille Blue (Coeur de slush)
10. Babylon

The top television queries featured:

1. The Last of Us
2. Ginny & Georgia
3. Daisy Jones and the Six
4. Kaleidoscope
5. Queen Charlotte
6. That 90s Show
7. Beef
8. The Idol
9. The Fall of the House of Usher
10. One Piece

In the digital realm, technology-related searches were also prominent. Canadians showed a keen interest in the latest smartphones, gaming consoles, and tech trends, indicating a country that's as much about silicon chips as it is about ice chips. Searches for the newest iPhone model and PlayStation 5 availability were common, showcasing Canada's appetite for cutting-edge technology.

Sporting searches score big

The year also marked a mix of excitement and tragedy in the world of sports, with athletes from various fields grabbing the spotlight. Football player Damar Hamlin topped the list after a remarkable comeback from an on-field cardiac arrest. Lionel Messi's historic move to Inter Miami this year also garnered attention.

Hockey, of course, scored high in Canadian searches. But it wasn't just about slapshots and hat tricks; basketball, baseball, and even esports found their way into the hearts and search bars.

The top athlete trends this year were:

1. Damar Hamlin
2. Connor Bedard
3. Travis Kelce
4. Adam Johnson
5. David Beckham
6. Ryan O'Reily
7. Jon Jones
8. Patrick Kane
9. Bruce Boudreau
10. Kylian Mbappe

Keep it real (and random), Canada

This year's Google search results show that from coast to coast, Canadians are curious about, well, almost everything. From quirky "how-tos" to serious global events, it seems there's no topic too big or too small. Here's to another year of Canadians asking Google the tough, and seriously random, questions.