War in Israel, Gaza tops 2023 Google news searches

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Google released its 2023 search trends on Monday (Dec. 11), with the War in Israel and Gaza topping the global news category.

In the people category, NFL's Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was the most-searched individual following his on-field cardiac arrest on Jan. 6. Hamlin made a successful recovery and returned to the field. Actor Jeremy Renner ranked second in searches after a severe injury from a snowplow accident, but he is reportedly near full recovery.

In the music section, Japanese band Yoasobi's single "Idol" claimed the top spot as the most searched song, showcasing the band's global popularity. The song serves as the opening theme for the anime series Oshi no Ko.

Barbie was the most searched movie of the year, followed closely by Oppenheimer in film searches.

Among video games, Hogwarts Legacy and The Last of Us garnered the most attention from enthusiasts, dominating their category in search queries.

The entertainment world also witnessed extensive searches for late actor Matthew Perry and singer Tina Turner.