December 5, 2025

Google’s annual “Year in Search” report highlights the queries that captured global curiosity in 2025. The most surprising entry this year is “Gemini,” Google’s own AI chatbot, which topped the list of trending searches. Other top searches include DeepSeek, the Toronto Blue Jays, and pop‑culture phenomena like hot honey recipes and the film “Anora.” The results reveal how deeply artificial intelligence is permeating public consciousness and offer clues about where consumer attention, and opportunity, is headed. 

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Every December, Google releases a report called “Year in Search” that tracks queries which experienced the biggest spikes compared with the previous year. Unlike a list of the most common searches (think “weather” or “news”), Year in Search captures moments that drove sudden, sustained interest across the globe. The 2025 report has a new twist: the top trending term globally was “Gemini,” the name of Google’s flagship AI chatbot. That means people weren’t just using AI tools; they were actively seeking to learn more about them. According to Google, the surge reflects the public’s fascination with generative AI and the company’s decision to brand its chat service distinctively.

The dominance of Gemini as a search term underscores the rapid mainstreaming of AI. When ChatGPT exploded onto the scene in late 2022, many assumed the hype would fade. Instead, 2025 saw a proliferation of chatbots and AI assistants, from open‑source models like DeepSeek to proprietary ones like Gemini. DeepSeek, in fact, ranked seventh on the trending list. The presence of multiple AI bots indicates that consumers are comparing services, reading news about their capabilities and perhaps testing them for themselves. For entrepreneurs building AI products, this is a validation that the public is hungry for information, and likely receptive to innovative tools that make AI accessible and trustworthy.

Search trends also reveal cultural preoccupations beyond AI. The second and third top trending searches were “India vs England” and “Charlie Kirk,” showing that sports and politics still command attention. People looked up recipes like hot honey, Marry Me Chicken and chimichurri. They were curious about films such as “Anora,” “Superman” and the “Minecraft Movie,” and about actors like Mikey Madison and Lewis Pullman. In sports, the “FIFA Club World Cup” and teams like Paris Saint‑Germain F.C., S.L. Benfica and the Toronto Blue Jays dominated searches. Even podcasts have a presence: “The Charlie Kirk Show” topped the audio category. Each of these search surges reflects a moment when people around the world collectively turned to Google to satisfy their curiosity.

Why should entrepreneurs care about search trends? Because search behavior is one of the most direct signals of consumer interest. When a term trends, it means millions of people are thinking about it, talking about it and, often, ready to spend money related to it. For example, if “hot honey” is trending, there could be an opportunity for food brands to launch spicy‑sweet condiments or recipe books. If “Gemini” and “DeepSeek” dominate searches, there is a clear appetite for AI literacy content, comparison tools and privacy‑centric alternatives. Sports teams and films on the trending list could be potential partners for cross‑promotions or merchandise. Even the popularity of podcasts reveals that audio remains a fertile ground for advertisers and creators.

The report also highlights a meta‑lesson: branding matters. Google’s decision to name its chatbot “Gemini” rather than simply “Google Chatbot” created a distinctive identity that people could search for. Similarly, DeepSeek’s memorable name contributed to its search ranking. Entrepreneurs should think carefully about naming products and services in ways that are unique, evocative and easy to remember. In the age of voice assistants and AI‑driven recommendations, a distinctive name improves both discoverability and trust.

Finally, the Year in Search report is a reminder that data is a story waiting to be told. Google doesn’t just share raw numbers; it contextualizes them with commentary about what was happening in the world. This storytelling approach turns data into insights. Founders can apply the same strategy when communicating with investors or customers: rather than dumping statistics, highlight the narrative and implications. In doing so, you help your audience see the opportunity behind the numbers.

As AI and human culture continue to intertwine, future reports will likely feature even more technology‑related terms. For now, Gemini’s breakout year serves as proof that the public is curious and engaged. Business leaders who anticipate where curiosity will spike next, and build products, content and experiences accordingly, will be poised to ride the wave of interest rather than chase it.

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