Google's Top Search Terms Of 2017

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Here's some good news for you: In a year of disasters, both natural and human induced, people spent 2017 asking Google how they could actually lend a hand. Despite the never-ending bad news, they wanted to help Puerto Rico, Mexico, Napa and the scores of other places and people suffering as a result of hurricanes, floods, fires and shootings.

Google compiled a video of the top questions and searches, noting that "2017 was the year we asked 'how . . . ?'" and pointing out the overall theme of "our shared desire to understand our experiences, to come to each other's aid, and ultimately, to move our world forward." 

On the lighter side of the Internet, top recipe searches revealed a nationwide need for serious comfort food. Beef Stroganoff and corn casserole both made the top five U.S. recipe searches, with chicken Parmesan and pork chops placing in the top 10. 

Some of our favorite cookbooks made it into the top five in the category, including Julia Turshen's Small Victories, Oprah's health-forward release and a classic from the late Edna Lewis. And we were glad to see chocolate paradise Hershey Park as the third most-searched travel activity destination. 

Other topics that dominated search? The solar eclipse (and how to make glasses to watch it), Luis Fonsi's earworm "Despacito" and royal-to-be Meghan Markle.

Here's hoping 2018 has less dismal news—or at least, a song that's even half as catchy as "Despacito" to keep our minds off it all.