The world became a one big Pokémon universe as people of all ages ventured out to catch pocket monsters, like Ash Ketchum, using their mobile devices. Yes, 2016 has been the year catching Pokémon became possible through the location-based augmented reality game Pokémon Go.
Having been downloaded more than 500 million worldwide, the mobile app developed by Niantic for Android and iOS devices was not only a success in the gaming industry, as Pokémon Go was also crowned the most googled in 2016.
In Google’s annual “Year in Search,” Pokémon Go topped the list of 10 most googled subject. The spike happened in July, during the game’s initial release in Australia, New Zealand and US. Pokémon Go became available for download in the Philippines in August. In just 90 days of being available in the market, the game generated $600 million in revenue, according to app intelligence firm SensorTower.
Apple’s latest smartphone device, iPhone 7 was the second most googled, following its launch in September. IPhone 7 features improved cameras, better battery life and water resistance.
His stunning victory in the recent US Presidential Election, and the events that transpired in the run-up to his win, made Donald Trump the third most googled last year.
The passing of famous musicians Prince in April and David Bowie in January has made them the fourth and sixth most googled worldwide, respectively.
The fifth most googled last year was Powerball, after the US lottery drew the largest jackpot in the world history amounting to $1,586,400,000 in January.
Rounding up the list are Ryan Reynolds-starrer Deadpool (7th), Olympics (8th) which was held in Brazil, the reincarnation of the classic Snake game on mobile phone Slither.io (9th), and the action film based on DC Comics characters Suicide Squad (10th).