The death of Queen Elizabeth II might have sent monarchists into a tailspin, but the unexpected death of an Aussie was a topic Australians searched for most in 2022.
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"Just Google it" has become an often-used phrase these days, and the tech giant keeps a record of our deepest curiosities.
The data is in, we searched for information on natural disasters, disease, elections, famous deaths, sport and even what to cook for dinner.
Spin king Shane Warne was the most searched for death, outstripping the number of searches following Queen Elizabeth's death.
During 2022, Australia topped a worldwide list when it came to using the search term 'floods'. We also outranked every other country for searches on 'La Nina' and 'when will the rain stop'.
Lismore was the top city worldwide to search for 'floods', with interest peaking in late February/early March as the northern NSW town was engulfed by floodwaters.
The Central Coast topped the global list for 'La Nina' and 'when will the rain stop'. In late February a man there died when his car was swept into flood waters.
IN OTHER NEWS
Overall searches
Sport may have taken out six of the top 10 overall searches, but it was addictive game Wordle that topped this list.
Also featured was the death of Olivia Newton-John, the Australian Open and now-retired tennis champ Ash Barty.
- Wordle
- Australian Open
- World Cup
- Shane Warne
- Ukraine
- Novak Djokovic
- Ashes
- Ash Barty
- Olivia Newton-John
- Betty White
Deaths
In a testament to how loved spin king Shane Warne was, there were more searches for his name following his death in March, compared to when Queen Elizabeth died in September.
- Shane Warne
- Olivia Newton-John
- Betty White
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Anne Heche
- Andrew Symonds
- Taylor Hawkins
- Aaron Carter
- Bob Saget
- Paul Green
News events
- Ukraine
- Election results
- Omicron symptoms
- Monkeypox
- Tonga
- Tsunami warning
- Novavax Australia
- Cassius Turvey
- Covid update Perth
- Japanese encephalitis
Australians
Wimbledon champion Ash Barty topped the list for the most-searched Aussies during the year, followed by controversial tennis player Nick Kyrgios.
John Farnham's battle with cancer also prompted many searches, with the singer the subject of a recent stunning international tribute.
- Ash Barty
- Nick Kyrgios
- Anthony Albanese
- Thanassi Kokkinakis
- Dylan Alcott
- Brittany Higgins
- Grace Tame
- John Farnham
- Alex de Minaur
- Peter Dutton
Sport
Aussies love sport and in 2022 we were keen to know about tennis, cricket, rugby and of course the Winter Olympics.
- Australian Open
- World Cup
- Ashes
- Winter Olympics
- Rugby League World Cup
- Indian Wells
- Commonwealth Games
- ATP Cup
- AFLW
- NBL
Need a recipe?
Not sure what to cook for dinner, or simply need the 'best' egg salad recipe to keep the kids happy?
- Dahl recipe
- Ezy sauce recipe
- Drunken chicken recipe
- Mash potato recipe
- Salmon patties recipe
- Jaffle recipes
- Fish tacos recipe
- Egg salad recipe
- Butter cream icing recipe
- Lamb stew recipe
Why is...? Questions
Keen to know why? Many asked Google.
- Why is Russia invading Ukraine? (including varieties of this question)
- Why is the penis mushroom shaped?
- What is NATO?
- Why is diesel so expensive
- Why is there a lettuce shortage?
Nadine Morton
I report on crime, emergency services and police matters. Email me on nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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