Google just dropped its 2025 Year in Search for Hong Kong, and it’s more than a list of trending keywords — it’s a reflection of what mattered to us over the past year. From the AI boom to typhoon prep, from celebrity buzz to streaming marathons, every search tells a story. Here’s what was on Hongkongers’ minds in 2025.
The AI Shift: From Searching for AI to Searching with AI
If one word defined 2025, it was AI. Four of the top ten trending keywords were AI tools — with DeepSeek at #1, followed by Grok, Doubao, and Google Gemini. But Hongkongers didn’t just look up AI tools — we started using AI to search in a whole new way. More people are asking Google full-sentence questions, almost like chatting with a friend. Instead of just “typhoon signal,” queries like “When will T8 be hoisted?” or “What’s the best tape for typhoon windows?” spiked.
AI also became a trusty sidekick for safety. Got a sketchy text? A quick screenshot with Google Lens or Circle to Search could help flag a scam. Forgot a song name? Just hum it — Google’s got you. Searching in 2025 got smarter, more conversational, and way more helpful.
Local News and Global Headlines
The second most-searched term of the year was the tragic Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, which also topped local news searches. Weather and health stayed big on the radar, with Black Rainstorm Signal, Severe Tropical Storm Wipha, and Super Typhoon Ragasa all trending. Health-wise, Chikungunya fever and norovirus kept Hongkongers searching for answers.
Globally, eyes were on viral moments like Nanjing Sister Hong, international politics around Iran and tariffs, and natural disasters from earthquakes in Japan and Thailand to tropical storms in the Philippines.
The People We Followed
Tennis standout Coleman Wong made local history and topped the Local People search list. In entertainment, Nicholas Tse scored a double win — ranking #1 for both Local Celebrities and Concerts after his long-awaited solo show in Hong Kong. His classic Jade Butterfly even broke into the top ten trending lyrics.
Worldwide, Coldplay led celebrity searches, while internet sensation Nanjing Sister Hong topped both global news and people lists.
Entertainment and Escapes
Local films had a strong showing, with Ne Zha 2 taking #1 in movie searches. Half of the top ten movies were Hong Kong productions, including the buzzworthy Sons of the Neon Night and homegrown animation Another World. For TV fans, The Queen of News 2 ruled the drama searches.
Live music also brought people together, with Kai Tak Sports Park emerging as the top venue for major concerts. Seven of the ten trending concerts were (or will be) held at this new hotspot.
Food, Travel, and Smarter Searches
In the kitchen, peach gum recipes took #1, followed by practical food searches like soups for liver health in spring. Hongkongers are getting sharper with search — mixing health needs with ingredient hunts to find exactly what they want.
Travel planning showed our favorite getaways: Toronto (a hub for Hong Kong expats) and Vietnam’s Phu Quoc led the list, with mainland China and Japan also trending. From Dongguan to Sendai, we were looking north and overseas for our next adventure.
A New Way to Search
2025 showed that searching isn’t just about keywords anymore. It’s about asking naturally, using voice, camera, and even humming to find what we need. With AI Overviews and interactive features, Google has become less of a search bar and more of a smart assistant — helping us understand, decide, and explore in a more human way.
Here’s to staying curious in 2026 — may our searches keep getting smarter and our discoveries even brighter.
What was your most-searched topic of 2025?