Britain’s most Googled terms of 2023, revealed – including Beckham, Barbie and bed bugs

2023 has been a roller-coaster year, and it can be hard to even remember every panic, scandal, and viral trend of the past 12 months.

Fortunately for us, Google has been keeping a careful tally of our searches, and has now revealed the top terms Britons searched for during the year.

From Barbie vs. Oppenheimer to Tommy Fury vs. Jake Paul, Google data can now solve some of the biggest showdowns of the year.

While Barbie may have won at the box office, it was Oppenheimer who won the battle of our searches.

Meanwhile, in the world of sports, Tommy Fury was the most searched-for athlete.

Barbie may have won at the box office, but Oppenheimer was the most searched-for film of the year

As part of its 2023 search report, Google has ranked the top UK search terms by category.

With all the hype around Barbenheimer, it may not be surprising that these two films take the top two spots.

Other blockbuster films this year took other top spots with Guardians of the Galaxy taking third place.

Meanwhile, the sci-fi comedy Everything Everywhere at Once beat out Killers of the Flower Moon.

There were also some unusual picks, with Cocaine Bear coming in eighth place.

In the world of television, British programs were the most popular.

Happy Valley, a gritty crime drama set in Yorkshire, was the most popular show in the UK.

Top Boy, The Rig, The Long Shadow and Luther also made the top ten.

However, international hits also made it to the list, such as The Last of Us coming in at number two.

Happy Valley, a British crime drama set in Yorkshire, was the most searched-for TV show in the UK

However, when it comes to the most searched people this year, it seems that their inclusion on the list was less than desirable.

In first place was Hugh Edwards, who left his position at the BBC after allegations emerged that he paid for sexually explicit images.

In second place was Philip Schofield, who was embroiled in a scandal after it emerged that he was having an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger employee.

Finally, in third place was broadcaster Russell Brand, who was accused of rape and sexual assault.

Others in the top 10 during the year included David Beckham, Gary Lineker and Andrew Tate.

Many of those who made it to the list of most searched people this year also did so for tragic reasons, with Google recording the names of the most searched-for celebrities who have died.

Matthew Perry, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was the most searched-for loss all year.

The second most searched-for celebrity who died this year is Tina Turner, who died in May at the age of 83.

They were also joined by other greats such as Sinead O'Connor, Paul O'Grady and Ken Block.

Hugh Edwards was the most searched-for person of the year in the UK after quitting his position at the BBC amid accusations of inappropriate behaviour.

Matthew Perry was probably the most missed celebrity this year because he was the most searched for among the famous people who passed away this year.

In the world of sport, in a year in which the Lionesses came close to glory, it is no surprise that the Women's World Cup was the second most searched for event.

This first place position has only been beaten by the Rugby World Cup also held this year.

The Women's World Cup was more popular as a search term than the Ashes, FA Cup and Ryder Cup.

The Lionesses also proved popular by asking “When will England Women play next?” “When…” was the 10th most popular search term of the year.

However, boxing has also proven to be one of the most popular sports this year.

Tommy Fury was the most searched athlete of the year, beating arch rival Jake Paul who came in fifth.

However, the boxer's popularity extended far beyond his personal appeal, with the question “When is Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury” ranking third highest and the question “How to watch Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury” coming in second place. How to watch Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury? …' a question.

Other athletes to make the top list include Harry Kane in second place, Carlos Alcaraz in third place, and Declan Rice ahead of Jake Paul in fourth place.

The Rugby World Cup was the most searched sporting event of the year, narrowly beating the Women's World Cup in popularity.

The most searched athlete in Britain is Tommy Fury, the professional boxer who gained fame due to his appearance on Love Island.

When it comes to the “when” and “how” categories, the list of top searches is a trip down memory lane.

“When is the coronation taking place?” “When” was the most popular question in the UK, while “When is the coronation?” He came in sixth place.

In a clear nod to the UK's other priorities, the question came: “When does Love Island start?”

Topping the charts were “How…” questions: “How do we watch the Champions League final?”

In third place was the phrase “How to turn off emergency alerts”, after the government announced that it would test its emergency alert system earlier this year.

Another top news of the year that has entered our search history is the question “How to prevent bed bugs?”

'How to stop bed bugs' was the eight most popular 'how to…' phrase on Google after fears of infestation sparked a large number of cases in Paris

Fears of a biting insect epidemic increased earlier this year after these creatures swept through Paris.

The “how to…” questions also showed an interesting case of buyer’s remorse when it comes to the new Snapchat AI.

“How do I get my AI on Snapchat” came in as the fourth most searched question of the year.

However, in fifth place comes the question: “How to get rid of Snapchat AI.”

As we reach the end of 2023, it's refreshing to remember all we enjoyed over the course of the year – which otherwise had its fair share of difficult moments for the UK and the world, says Matt Cook, head of Google News Lab.

“From David Beckham's return to the limelight, to the Barbie vs. Oppenheimer match, to the pinnacle of sporting success in England, we have had moments that make us smile despite the difficult times.”