Technology

From the Oscars slap to 'How to be single' - Google NZ reveals Kiwis' top searches of 2022

Y'all really googled 'how to be single?'

2022 is coming to a close and omg what a year it has been, from Oscar Slaps, RAT tests, Twitter takeovers, and our mighty Black Ferns dominating the Women's Rugby world cup, it's fair to say there was a lot to talk about - or should I say Google.

Google NZ has released the nation's top trending searches for 2022 and we have the most iconic ones to share with you, so strap in cause here's a wild look back on the year that's been.

CELEBRITIES: Will Smith & Chris Rock - Let's start with the most memorable Oscars moment that caused quite the stir online, there's absolutely no shock that these two are both featured at the top.

One of the most public trials we have seen this year happened between Johnny Depp and his ex-Amber Heard who also features in Google's top searches. Johnny accused Amber of defamation in one of the year's most publicised trials of the year.

Of course, Andrew Tate features after being this year's most controversial online personality. If I can warn you against anything - do not search for Andrew Tate online it's a deep dark rabbit hole that you'll regret falling into.

With the absolute mad shiz going on with Twitter atm, it's no surprise that Elon Musk has been featured on the list. Other than the Twitter community being at their wit's end Elon welcomed his second child with Grimes, named Exa Dark Sideræl Musk - Try googling that!

KIWIS: YTG! Ruby Tui is named as one of Google NZ's top sports people searched for in 2022 and with her charm, charisma and absolutely dominating on the Rugby Field of course our gal has made the list.

The Women's Rugby World Cup also topped the list under the sporting events category and we couldn't be more proud of our Kiwi women in sport!

Other Kiwis that reached the top search status were Joseph Parker, Lydia Ko, Israel Adesanya and Clarke Gayford.

TV SHOWS: Euphoria - Stranger Things - The Watcher - Manifest - House of the Dragon - Inventing Anna - The Boys - Moon Knight - The Sandman - The Anatomy of a Scandal

MOVIES: Thor: Love and Thunder - Top Gun - The Batman - Black Adam - Everything Everywhere All At Once - Don't Look Up - G.I Jane - Jurassic World Dominion

HOW TO: "How to do a RAT test" - We've all been there, and if you haven't you don't know the struggle of navigating that weapon of a stick up into your brain. "How to play Wordle" - Yep it's the game that had us hooked for months on end. We all had our own starting words, right? "How to spell askew Google joke" - Okay so I need to admit that I didn't know this one and just gave it a search. Warning: things really do go skew-whiff. "How to be single" - I know that one was you!

It's interesting to see the top searches of the year all wrapped up into one list. I wonder what will top 2023? Hopefully, your single status doesn't top that one - am I right?!