Gemini vs. DeepSeek: Top Trending Searches of 2025
▼ Summary
– Google’s Year in Search report for 2025 highlights queries with the largest spikes in search interest, not total volume.
– AI tools dominated global trends, with Google’s Gemini as the top trending search worldwide and DeepSeek also in the top 10.
– US trending searches differed significantly, led by Charlie Kirk and featuring entertainment like KPop Demon Hunters.
– A dedicated US “Trends” category showed AI-generated content, such as AI Barbie and AI Ghibli images, drove substantial interest.
– The data reveals regional differences, with global news focused on events like the LA Fires, while US trends included domestic policy acts.
The latest data from Google’s Year in Search for 2025 reveals a fascinating snapshot of global curiosity, with artificial intelligence tools dominating the list of top trending queries worldwide. This annual report, which highlights searches that saw the most significant spikes in interest compared to the previous year, clearly indicates where public attention surged. Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, claimed the number one spot globally, underscoring its rapid adoption and the mainstreaming of conversational AI. Close behind, the Chinese AI firm DeepSeek also broke into the global top ten, reflecting its notable rise in the competitive technology landscape.
A closer look at the global top ten trending searches shows a diverse mix of technology, sports, and current events. Following Gemini, major cricket matches like India vs. England and India vs. Australia ranked highly, alongside events like the Club World Cup and the Asia Cup. The list was rounded out by searches for Iran, the iPhone 17, and the perennial topic of Pakistan and India relations. This global view highlights a collective fascination with both technological advancement and major international sporting competitions.
In contrast, the list of top trending searches within the United States told a different story, prioritizing domestic figures and pop culture. The leading search was for commentator Charlie Kirk, followed by entertainment properties like KPop Demon Hunters and Labubu. Technology still featured with the iPhone 17 and DeepSeek, but US users were equally focused on policy, searching for terms like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, government shutdown, and tariffs. This divergence from the global list emphasizes how regional interests and media ecosystems shape online exploration.
A dedicated analysis of US “Trends” data provided further insight, showing that AI-generated content was a major driver of search interest throughout the year. Queries like “AI action figure,” “AI Barbie,” and “AI Ghostface” suggest users were actively seeking out novel applications of the technology for creativity and entertainment. The entry for “Ghibli” is widely believed to be connected to the wave of viral AI-generated images crafted to mimic the beloved animation style of Studio Ghibli, which captivated social media platforms.
News and current events naturally formed another critical category. Globally, people sought information on major incidents such as the LA Fires, Hurricane Melissa, the potential TikTok ban, and the selection of a new pope. For American users, news trends had a more domestic focus, aligning with searches for legislative acts and economic policies like tariffs, alongside coverage of the government shutdown and the Los Angeles fires.
This comprehensive data is more than just a list; it acts as a cultural barometer. The strong showing of AI at the summit of global trends confirms that public engagement with artificial intelligence is not a passing fad but a sustained area of intense interest and inquiry. The clear split between global and US lists further illustrates how digital curiosity is filtered through local lenses, with cricket captivating a worldwide audience while American searches leaned into entertainment and political discourse. For content creators and marketers, reviewing these trending topics against existing strategies can uncover valuable opportunities to align with what audiences are actively seeking.
(Source: Search Engine Journal)
