IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Google's Top Search Terms of 2014: Robin Williams Leads a Grim Grab Bag

Google has revealed its top trending searches of 2014, and they serve as a reminder of how hard a year it's been for so many.
Get more newsLiveon

Google has revealed its top trending searches of 2014 in the U.S., and they serve as a reminder of how rough a year it's been for so many. Robin Williams, who died an untimely death in August, was No. 1. Ebola, Malaysia Airlines and several ongoing conflicts also made the top 10 largest traffic spikes — though the gloominess is tempered by the presence of the ever-popular World Cup, the bafflingly popular "Flappy Bird" and the heart-warmingly popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Not every search was doom and gloom. People do search for the latest films and political issues — and it will come as no surprise to anyone with kids that the top-searched movie this year was the animated hit "Frozen." President Obama was the top politician in searches, with Chris Christie and Rand Paul nipping at his heels. Rumors of a run for the top office helped put Elisabeth Warren in the top 10 as well. The rest of the top searches, from selfies to celebrity weddings, can be found at Google's 2014 trends page.

IN-DEPTH

—Devin Coldewey