Matildas, The Voice and the Optus outage dominate Google search results in 2023

Google has released its top search list for 2023 – the 25^th year of Google Search – and it revealed we were trying to make sense of events in Australia and around the world as we watched a new King crowned and cheered on the Matildas in the World Cup.

We were trying to understand the Voice referendum and make sense of the Israel and Hamas conflict while keeping track of Hollywood as Barbie and Oppenheimer dominated the global box office.

We were hunting for Taylor Swift tickets and tuning in to watch The Last of Us while trying to get on top of DIY projects

The recent Optus outage – the largest in Australian history – also figured at the top of the Google searches s people tried to find information that Optus was not providing in a timely manner.

While we went wild over the Matildas, we were also searching for how to watch the Women’s World Cup.

And we were also trying to find out more about the many celebrities who passed away this year including Matthew Perry, Tina Turner, Sinead O’Connor and Barry Humphries.

Here are the top Google searches for 2023:

News events

1. Optus outage
2. War in Israel and Gaza
3. Referendum results
4. Andrew Tate
5. Earthquake Melbourne
6. Submarine
7. Turkey earthquake
8. Chandrayaan-3
9. Russell Brand
10. NSW Election results

Aussies

1. Sam Kerr
2. Mary Fowler
3. Michael Clarke
4. Reece Walsh
5. Dan Andrews
6. Bianca Censori
7. Tim Tszyu
8. Kathleen Folbigg
9. Ellie Carpenter
10. Lidia Thorpe

Sport

1. Cricket World Cup
2. Ashes
3. Women’s World Cup
4. Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury
5. BBL
6. Champions League
7. UFC 294
8. FA Cup
9. LIV Golf
10. United Cup

Recipe(s)

1. Coronation quiche recipe
2. Grimace shake recipe
3. Coronation chicken recipe
4. CWA Anzac biscuit recipe
5. Chicken Honolulu recipe
6. Lamb stew recipe
7. Pornstar Martini recipes
8. Marry me chicken recipe
9. Chicken and leek pie recipe
10. Modak recipe

Entertainment

1. Oppenheimer
2. Barbie movie
3. Taylor Swift tickets
4. Connections
5. Hogwarts Legacy
6. The Last of Us
7. Everything Everywhere All at Once
8. Quordle
9. John Wick 4
10. Avatar

Loss

1. Matthew Perry
2. Jock Zonfrillo
3. Sinead O’Connor
4. Tina Turner
5. Cal Wilson
6. Ken Block
7. Lisa Marie
8. Barry Humphries
9. Johnny Ruffo
10. Angus Cloud

‘How to…?’

1. How to watch Women’s World Cup
2. How to lock Facebook profile
3. How to vote referendum
4. How to solve a Rubik’s Cube
5. How to get rid of my AI on Snapchat
6. How to get Snapchat AI
7. How to vote early
8. How to watch Rugby World Cup
9. How to get Taylor Swift tickets
10. How to watch The Ashes in Australia

DIY/’How to make…?’

1. How to make a paper popper
2. How to make rosemary water for hair
3. How to make kinetic sand
4. How to make slime without activator
5. DIY Valentines gift for him
6. DIY Easter basket
7. DIY ice bath
8. How to make a vision board
9. How to make an invoice
10. How to make a kite

‘Why is…?’

1. Why is Israel and Hamas at war
2. Why is Optus down
3. Why is Twitter called X
4. Why is Book Depository closing
5. Why is Gwyneth Paltrow in court
6. Why is my phone on SOS
7. Why is the Gaza Strip important
8. Why is Camilla being crowned Queen
9. Why is Sam Kerr not playing today
10. Why is Oppenheimer rated R

Meanings

1. SNAFU meaning
2. Ennui meaning
3. Guano meaning
4. Hamas meaning
5. Ardour meaning
6. Implosion meaning
7. Craven meaning
8. Credo meaning
9. Pique meaning
10. Locus meaning