Google's 2022 Search Trends And How They Can Help With Local Search Results

Google’s annual report of the year’s top search trends is now available, including new categories not seen in previous years. If you’re curious about what people were searching for this year or if you’re a content publisher looking for ideas, Google’s recap is definitely worth a read.

I like to focus on the categories that will be most relevant from an SEO perspective each year, like queries about “how to” and where to find things “near me.” I believe this information is more actionable for marketers. However, knowing, for example, that Johnny Depp is the top trending person in Google in 2022 can also be useful.

google's search trends

This year, Google’s report on top searches has proven to be more useful than in the past. There is a whole section dedicated to local searches. Type in a US city or zip code, and Google will highlight the top trends in the area.

Let’s take a look at some of the interesting and fun information Google recently released in its top search trends report, which is comprised of the following sections. Here is a list of some of the sections

– Top Trending People
– Top Trending Searches
– Top Trending Topics
– Top Trending Imageslist Searches

johnny depp

No surprise that the top trending people search reveals the usual suspects— musicians, actors, and celebrities.

  1. Johnny Depp
  2. Rihanna
  3. Robert Downey Jr.
  4. Beyoncé
  5. Taylor Swift
  6. Kanye West
  7. Kim Kardashian
  8. LeBron James
  9. Cardi B
  10. A$AP Rocky

Top Trending Searches (United States)

  1. Wordle
  2. Election results
  3. Betty White
  4. Queen Elizabeth
  5. Bob Saget
  6. Ukraine
  7. Mega Millions
  8. Powerball numbers
  9. Anne Heche
  10. Jeffrey Dahmer

Top Trending News

  1. Election results
  2. Queen Elizabeth passing
  3. Ukraine
  4. Powerball numbers
  5. Hurricane Ian
  6. Monkeypox
  7. Texas school shooting
  8. Will Smith Oscars
  9. Johnny Depp’s verdict
  10. Roe v Wade

Top Trending Game Searches

  1. Wordle
  2. Quordle
  3. Elden Ring
  4. Heardle
  5. Worldle
  6. Nerdle
  7. God of War Ragnarök
  8. Lost Ark
  9. Overwatch 2
  10. Globlel

Exploring how searchers use the "near me" search query offers valuable insight into local trends and great content ideas.

From the Google blog:

While Year in Search reveals a lot about what we all have in common, every community showed they were unique, too. This year we are launching a local hub that showcases interesting trends from all over the U.S. For example, the Anchorage, Alaska and Des Moines, Iowa areas were the only two places in the U.S. that had “quilt shops” in their top trending “near me” searches. And while those areas looked to stay cozy in a warm blanket, other areas like Parkersburg, West Virginia had “dog parks” as their top trending “near me” search.

Google’s report can be a great starting point to see what keywords people in your area are using, and it can help you create content tailored specifically to the local audience’s needs. For example, if you’re a pet owner living in Parkersburg, West Virginia, Google’s report could help you find local dog parks by searching “dog parks near me.”

Google’s Year in Search report contains interesting findings and great insights about local search trends. Take a look for yourself to see what keywords people are searching for in your area. You never know what hidden gems you might uncover!

Top trending in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area

Did you know that the Raleigh-Durham, NC area was the only place in the United States with comedy shows as its top trending “near me” search the Raleigh-Durham, NC area was the only place in the U.S. with comedy shows as its top trending “near me” search.

What type of animal was most searched using the “near me” search in RTP Durham area? You may be surprised to find that the Raleigh-Durham area’s top trending animal was a rainbow mantis shrimp.

mantis shrimp

And here are the top 10 trendings “near me” searches in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area

  1. comedy shows near me
  2. 4th of July events near me
  3. Asian restaurant near me
  4. cheapest gas near me
  5. at home covid test near me
  6. live music near me
  7. pilates near me
  8. food pantry near me
  9. gas prices near me
  10. shooting range near me

Why are trending "near me" search trends important to your local search strategy?

Trending “near me” searches are important because they give you a better understanding of what people in your local area want and need. Knowing which keywords people are searching for can help you create content tailored specifically to your local audience’s needs. This will help you connect with your audience, become more visible to potential customers, and build trust with them as a source for another buzzword from 2022, “helpful content.”

Writing content for trending topics “near me” provides searches with valuable information that keep readers coming back and building brand loyalty among your audience. Utilizing the power of trending “near me” searches in your local search strategy will help you stand out from your competitors and ultimately bring more customers to your business.

So if you’re looking for a way to boost your local search presence, take it from Google’s Year in Search report and use topics that are trending near you.

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