Google’s Top 2017 Searches: Matt Lauer, Hurricane Irma, iPhones

Americans were curious in 2017 about Matt Lauer, Bitcoins, DACA, monkey selfies, the solar eclipse, Hurricane Irma, the NFL national anthem protests, the calories in a Unicorn Frappuccino, the death of rocker Tom Petty, how to make do-it-yourself eclipse glasses and how to use the latest iPhones, according to an analysis of top searches on Google in 2017.

Lauer, who was fired as host of NBC’s “Today” show amid allegations of sexual misconduct, was among a handful of disgraced celebrities accused of similar misdeeds whose names showed up in Google’s analysis of top search terms. Users also searched for Hollywood director Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Louis C.K.

President Donald Trump’s tumultuous first year in the White House was also reflected in Google searches. People also wanted to know how to make a protest sign and how to run for office. Among the top people searches was former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who earlier this month pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and said he would cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Searches also reflected one of the worst Atlantic hurricane seasons on record. Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey were top search terms, as were “how to board up a window, how to calm a dog in the storm, how to help flood victims, and how to help Costa Rica and Mexico.

The solar eclipse that raced from the Northwest to the Deep South in August was also a big search term. People wanted to know what it was, as well as how to make protective glsses fo eclipse viewing.

Americans also wanted to know how to make slime and beef stroganoff, though presumably not for the same reasons. And they loved April the giraffe, the long-necked mammal that kept the world waiting until she finally got around to delivering her calf in her namesake month.

Here are the top five U.S. Google searches by category:

Top Searches
1. Hurricane Irma
2. Matt Lauer
3. Tom Petty
4. Super Bowl
5. Las Vegas shooting

People
1. Matt Lauer
2. Meghan Markle
3. Harvey Weinstein
4. Michael Flynn
5. Kevin Spacey

News
1. Hurricane Irma
2. Las Vegas shooting
3. Solar Eclipse
4. Hurricane Harvey
5. Bitcoin Price

Protests
1. NFL National Anthem protests
2. Charlottesville protests
3. Boston Free Speech rally
4. UC Berkeley protests
5. St. Louis protests

Actors
1. Meghan Markle
2. Kevin Spacey
3. Gal Gadot
4. Louis C.K
5. Meryl Streep

Athletes
1. Floyd Mayweather
2. Gordon Hayward
3. Aaron Boone
4. Paul George
5. Tony Romo

Calories
1. Unicorn Frappuccino calories
2. Grand Mac calories
3. Naked Chicken Chalupa calories
4. Mac Jr calories
5. Cascara Latte calories

Cars
1. Ford
2. Lexus
3. Kia
4. Toyota
5. Honda

Consumer Tech
1. iPhone 8
2. iPhone X
3. Nintendo Switch
4. Samsung Galaxy S8
5. Razer Phone

Dog Breeds
1. Golden Retriever
2. Poodle
3. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
4. French Bulldog
5. Australian Shepherd

How To ...
1. How to make slime
2. How to make solar eclipse glasses
3. How to watch the solar eclipse
4. How to watch Mayweather vs McGregor
5. How to buy Bitcoin

Losses
1. Tom Petty
2. Aaron Hernandez
3. Chris Cornell
4. Bill Paxton
5. Hugh Hefner

Movies
1. "IT"
2. "Beauty and the Beast"
3. "Wonder Woman"
4. "Get Out"
5. "Justice League"

Musicians and Bands
1. Linkin Park
2. Cardi B
3. Lil Pump
4. Joyner Lucas
5. Jason Aldean

Professional Sports Teams
1. New York Yankees
2. Houston Astros
3. Boston Celtics
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
5. Atlanta Falcons

Recipes
1. Beef stroganoff recipe
2. Apple crisps recipe
3. Corn casserole recipe
4. Brine turkey recipe
5. Zucchini recipe

Selfies
1. Monkey selfie
2. Al Sharpton selfie
3. Nia Jax selfie
4. Eclipse selfie
5. Kaia Gerber selfie

Song/Lyrics
1. "Despacito"
2. "Humble"
3. "Bad and Boujee"
4. "Look What You Made Me Do"
5. "Bodak Yellow"

TV Shows
1. "13 Reasons Why"
2. "Game of Thrones"
3. "This Is Us"
4. "Iron Fist"
5. "Riverdale"

What Is …
1. What is DACA?
2. What is Bitcoin?
3. What is a solar eclipse?
4. What is ANTIFA?
5. What is net neutrality?

Workouts And Exercises
1. Murph crossfit workout
2. Bungee workout
3. Tabata workout
4. TRX workout
5. Burpees exercise

Cover photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images News/Getty Images