When you’re stumped about something, what’s your go-to solution? You probably Google it.

This is something that everyone, from your tech-savvy friend to your less tech-savvy neighbours, does without even thinking about it.

In fact, approximately 8% of all search queries are questions.

This abundance of questions provides a treasure trove of valuable search data that SEO and marketing professionals eagerly seek out. And guess what? Similarweb has compiled that data.

Founded in 1998, Google has answered countless questions over the years, but what we’re curious about is: what were people asking Google in 2023?

Let’s dive into the top 23 most-asked questions on Google worldwide in 2023. For even more localised data, the top questions in the US and UK are also available further down.

Top Googled Questions in 2023 Worldwide

Here’s a snapshot of the top 23 most common Google questions globally in 2023.

Ranked Search Terms:

1: what (1,558,850 2,048,564)

2: what to watch (1,006,190 5,016)

3: how to delete Instagram account (596,000 584,758)

4: what is (583,490 2,618)

5: how to tie a tie (473,790 209,411)

6: how to deactivate Instagram (408,100 316,221)

7: how to deactivate Facebook (382,420 694,497)

8: how to delete Facebook account (376,760 715,966)

9: how to screenshot on Windows (325,540 109,007)

10: how to screenshot on Mac (290,780 51,337)

11: how did Matthew Perry die (214,360 32,999)

12: what is ChatGPT (203,160 124,389)

13: what is Temu (188,040 24,922)

14: how to deactivate Instagram account (186,420 37,712)

15: how to write a Cover Letter (171,070 305,743)

16: how to take a screenshot on Windows (158,530 44,519)

17: what is ChatGPT (153,760 35,790)

18: what time is the Super Bowl (150,650 3,893)

19: how to calculate percentage (149,260 8,674)

20: how to change name on Facebook (138,660 111,944)

21: how to meditate (124,360 10,040)

22: how to delete Twitter account (116,290 55,781)

23: how to delete a page in Word (114,740 166,697)

Insights from the Top 23 Questions

Here are some interesting observations and statistics from the top 23 most-asked questions on Google in 2023.

Understanding Search Intent

People turn to Google for answers, often in the form of questions. The search intent for these queries is predominantly informational, especially for “How to” and “What is” questions. “How to” questions make up 52% of the top 23, covering everything from tying a tie to tech-related inquiries. “What is” questions constitute 19%, seeking definitions or explanations for various terms and concepts.

Price Awareness in a Cost-Conscious World

Questions starting with “how much” account for 6% of the top 23. This highlights the importance of transparent pricing information on business websites. Clearly displaying prices or price ranges can attract the right customers and build trust, even if the prospect isn’t ready to purchase immediately.

Privacy Concerns

A significant number of questions pertain to deactivating or deleting social media accounts. This trend indicates a growing interest in privacy and reducing social media presence. People are not only looking to delete their accounts but also to make themselves less visible online.

Concluding Observations

In conclusion, the top 23 Google search queries of 2023 provide substantive insights into contemporary digital behaviour, information-seeking patterns, and evolving user priorities. For professionals operating within the spheres of SEO, digital marketing, corporate strategy, or content development, this data constitutes a critical resource for optimising engagement strategies, refining content curation, and aligning business practices with emergent consumer expectations.

By systematically understanding the questions that users pose, organisations are better positioned to anticipate informational needs, mitigate user friction, and reinforce their value propositions in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. The analysis of such search trends not only facilitates tactical decision-making but also contributes to strategic foresight in anticipating the trajectories of public interest, technological adoption, and privacy-related concerns.

Continued in 2025

Comparative Analysis of ChatGPT and Google

The digital landscape is increasingly defined by tools that cater to distinct aspects of information retrieval and content creation. ChatGPT, a conversational artificial intelligence (AI), and Google, a traditional search engine, serve complementary roles in this environment. While both platforms address user queries, their primary functions, user behaviours, and overall market presence differ significantly.

Usage Comparison

Feature	ChatGPT	Google
Primary Use	Conversational AI for generating text, coding, brainstorming, and addressing complex questions	Traditional search engine for locating external websites and information sources
User Activity	High engagement for specific, in-depth tasks	Higher volume of overall queries; users tend to click fewer external links per visit
Context	Capable of understanding context and supporting follow-up conversations	Provides a list of links to various sources for users to evaluate
Integration	Primarily a standalone AI tool, though integration with other services is possible	Central to numerous online activities, including Google’s suite of products and services
Audience	Rapidly growing user base, yet a small fraction of total internet traffic	Dominates internet usage with a considerably larger number of users

Key Differences

Information Source: ChatGPT generates original responses based on its training data, requiring users to fact-check information where accuracy is critical. In contrast, Google primarily directs users to external sources, which they can evaluate for credibility.

User Behaviour: ChatGPT users typically engage with the tool for direct answers or creative tasks, resulting in less frequent clicking on external links. Google users, however, often explore multiple sources, clicking through websites to gather information.

Market Share: Google Search handles a substantially higher volume of searches daily. Nevertheless, ChatGPT is experiencing rapid growth, with a significant portion of users employing it alongside Google for varied purposes.