google's most popular searches of 2017

As 2017 comes to an end, I thought I would try to do a more creative post in celebration of the new year, as well as an easy reflection on the most popular events of this chaotic but memorable 365 days. Let's take a look at Google's top global searches about things you may have already forgotten about!​

Hurricane Irma

Photo Credit: Time Magazine

Irma was globally the top ranking Google search of the year, and rightfully so. The Category 5 hurricane costed affected areas upwards of $66.8 billion, making it (unofficially) the fifth-costliest hurricane on record. The powerful and catastrophic system took 134 lives from tropical areas such as Florida, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Caribbean, and many other small islands. Hurricane Irma is said to have been the second-strongest observed hurricane in the Atlantic, along with 1988 Hurricane Gilbert and 2005 Hurricane Wilma. Scientists have stated that all the qualities of a devastating storm where unfortunately lined up perfectly to create the monstrous machine called Irma. It was, quite literally, the perfect storm. While many are still not back up on their feet after Irma, citizens have been extremely diligent about clearing out debris from the storm. As someone who vacationed in the Florida Keys just a few days ago, the location is in pristine condition for only two months after such a calamity. 

Meghan Markle

Photo Credit: The Sun

Google's most globally searched actor of 2017 is 36 year old Meghan Markle, fiance of Prince Harry from Wales and one of the main cast members of the TV show Suits. Markle, who is American, previously married in the past, and a child of a black mother and a white father, seems to be revising the rules of the royal family along with her soon-to-be husband, Prince Harry. Queen Elizabeth's uncle, King Edward the VIII, actually abdicated his throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson who, like Markle, was a divorced American. However, the world has become more modern since those times, and the couple is set to marry on May 19th at St. George's Chapel. Meghan Markle will surely bring some diversity and new perspectives to the royal family, creating a positive future for Britain's most famed family. 

iPhone X and iPhone 8

Photo Credit: Business Insider

The world's top two searches for consumer technology were the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, respectively. Apple's iPhone X had a starting price of $1,000 and the iPhone 8 had a starting price of $700, some of the most expensive prices for a phone. For comparison, Apple's first iPhone cost just $400. Of course, the features of the brand new redesigned iPhones, especially the iPhone X, are much more advanced than the features ten years ago. The X possesses a seamless, edge-to-edge display for the aesthetic pleasure, virtual reality capabilities, and the phone also uses facial recognition as a password. The facial recognition is a controversial quality, likely because it is new and not very well known in the world which means that many things could go wrong. People are also questioning why the price is so steep, even for a piece of technology this advanced. Many believe it is just a genius marketing strategy to create the illusion of class and wealth, which may very well be the case.

How to Make Slime

Photo Credit: YouTube

The highest ranking "How to..." Google search this year was "How to Make Slime." 2017 was a very big year for slime, and generated a whole world of slime enthusiasts. Elmer's Glue (the main ingredient of slime) even saw a 50% increase in sales and craft stores were struggling to restock their shelves with glue. Online craft store Etsy even saw a major rise in searches for slime on their website. Groups have speculated that slime created an "ASMR" feeling in people. ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is defined as "a combination of positive feelings, relaxation and a distinct, static-like tingling sensation on the skin," by ASMR study participants. The satisfying crackling and popping of playing with slime is what brought slime to the limelight this year, and many YouTube influencers got creative with slime videos. The vibrant colors and squishy texture make the videos surprisingly entertaining to watch.

Those were just some of the top-ranking Google searches of the year. If you want to see more, you should head over to this website. Thanks for visiting Another Little Birdie today... Be sure to leave a comment and come back this weekend for a brand new post!