Google top search trends 2018: From Black Panther to bitcoin to Stormy Daniels

Google has revealed what people in the UK have been searching for in 2018, with the publication of its annual 'Year in Search' results.

Meghan Markle, who topped the list last year, was knocked off her perch by the World Cup but still managed to be the second-most searched term in 2018.

Her marriage to Prince Harry, together with the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, helped 'Royal Wedding' reach third on the overall list.

Several other celebrities like Stormy Daniels and Ant McPartlin also appeared on the lists, which covered a wide range of categories including top trending 'How to...?' and 'What is...?' queries.

Privacy scandals helped 'How to delete Facebook?' become one of the most-asked questions using Google, while the dramatic rise and fall in cryptocurrency prices helped drive searches for 'What is bitcoin?'.

Google Search trends act as a cultural barometer, revealing what news, sports and events captured the nation's interest over the last year, with the world's most popular search engine turning 20 this year.

"The 2018 Year in Search lists give us an insight into the things that captured the nation's attention over the past 12 months – from major moments in news, sports and entertainment, through to the latest dance craze," said Kristin Wright, a Google Search Trends expert.

"Twenty years after its launch, Google Search continues to evolve as people look for information in new and different ways, but our focus remains the same – to make the world's information accessible and useful to everyone."

UK Top Trending Queries

1. World Cup

2. Meghan Markle

3. Royal Wedding

4. Black Panther

5. Roxanne Pallett

6. Fortnite

7. Demi Lovato

8. Ant McPartlin

9. A Star Is Born

10. Khloe Kardashian

UK Top Trending ‘How To…?’ Queries

1. How to watch Fury vs. Wilder?

2. How to floss dance?

3. How to watch the Champions League final?

4. How to get the old Snapchat back?

5. How to delete Instagram?

6. How to delete Facebook?

7. How to buy Ripple?

8. How to bleed radiators?

9. How to put lights on a Christmas tree?

10. How to solve a Rubik’s Cube?

UK Top Trending ‘What Is…?’ Queries

1. What is Bitcoin?

2. What is GDPR?

3. What is an ibex?

4. What is a nerve agent?

5. What is the Commonwealth?

6. What is Diwali?

7. What is upskirting?

8. What is UEFA Nation’s League?

9. What is the Brexit deal?

10. What is Vero?

UK Top Trending People

1. Meghan Markle

2. Roxanne Pallett

3. Demi Lovato

4. Ant McPartlin

5. Khloe Kardashian

6. Alexis Sanchez

7. Alex Ferguson

8. Logan Paul

9. Sylvester Stallone

10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

UK Loss List

1. Avicii

2. Alfie Evans

3. Dale Winton

4. Stephen Hawking

5. Mac Miller

6. George Bush

7. Stan Lee

8. XXXTentacion

9. Aretha Franklin

10. Verne Troyer

UK Top Trending News Events

1. Royal Wedding

2. Royal Baby

3. GDPR

4. Jeremy Thorpe

5. Spice Girls

6. Carillion

7. Australian flu

8. Hurricane Florence

9. Stormy Daniels

10. iPhone XR

UK Top Trending Sporting Events

1. The World Cup

2. Wilder vs Fury

3. Grand National

4. Wimbledon

5. Winter Olympics

6. Ryder Cup

7. Commonwealth Games

8. Super Bowl

9. Joshua vs. Parker

10. Cheltenham

UK Top Trending Movies

1. Black Panther

2. A Star Is Born

3. Avengers Infinity War

4. Deadpool 2

5. Venom

6. The Greatest Showman

7. Bohemian Rhapsody

8. A Quiet Place

9. Mamma Mia 2

10. The Meg

UK Top Trending TV Shows

1. I’m a Celebrity

2. Killing Eve

3. The Bodyguard

4. Love Island

5. Celebrity Big Brother

6. Big Brother

7. The Cry

8. Dancing On Ice

9. The Haunting of Hill House

10. Hard Sun