Google Trends turns 15 this summer. Trends from 2006 and 2021 compared.

What were you doing in 2006? Maybe you were going through your emo phase. Maybe you were loving low rise jeans. Maybe you were mourning Pluto’s (temporary) demotion from planet to dwarf planet.

Maybe you were checking out these trends — and plenty of others — on Google Trends, which went live in the summer of 2006. Though the tool’s data goes back to 2004, it became available two years later. This summer, Google Trends turns 15, so we thought it would be the perfect time to look back on trends of yesteryear and compare what people were searching for back in 2006 to today.

For me gaming and tech obviously was something of interest and also trainers and those who follow me know of late I have been picking up old school trainers that where out back in the day and there is a love for all things retro right now.

Most-searched song lyrics — July 2006, U.S.

  1. Unfaithful – Rhianna

  2. Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake

  3. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley

  4. Buttons – Pussycat Dolls

  5. Miss Murder – AFI

Most-searched song lyrics — July 2021, U.S.

  1. Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

  2. Traitor – Olivia Rodrigo

  3. Favorite Crime – Olivia Rodrigo

  4. Ain’t Shit – Doja Cat

  5. Deja Vu – Olivia Rodrigo

Most-searched actors — July 2006, U.S.

  1. Oprah

  2. Zac Efron

  3. Paris Hilton

  4. Channing Tatum

  5. Lindsay Lohan

Most-searched actors — July 2021, U.S.

  1. Olivia Rodrigo

  2. Scarlett Johansson

  3. Florence Pugh

  4. Tom Holland

  5. Millie Bobby Brown

Most-searched TV shows —  July 2006, U.S.

  1. Project Runway

  2. Big Brother

  3. Lost

  4. Miami Vice

  5. American Idol

Most-searched TV shows — July 2021, U.S.

  1. Big Brother

  2. Gossip Girl

  3. Grey’s Anatomy

  4. iCarly

  5. Criminal Minds

Most-searched Games – July 2006, U.S.

1. Tetris

2. Sonic

3. Halo 3

4. Bejeweled

5. Battlefield 2

Most-searched Games – July 2021, U.S.

1. Sonic

2. Genshin Impact

3. Minesweeper

4. GTA 6

5. Battlefield 2042

Published by

Jim O Brien/CEO

CEO and expert in transport and Mobile tech. A fan 20 years, mobile consultant, Nokia Mobile expert, Former Nokia/Microsoft VIP,Multiple forum tech supporter with worldwide top ranking,Working in the background on mobile technology, Weekly radio show, Featured on the RTE consumer show, Cavan TV and on TRT WORLD. Award winning Technology reviewer and blogger. Security and logisitcs Professional.