Online visibility and content marketing SaaS platform Semrush released its annual Global Topics Index, which reveals the most searched social topics on the Internet. This year, public interest has fallen on topics related to mental health, the war on drugs and sustainability.
For Spaniards, sustainability, climate change and corporate social responsibility (CSR) were the most relevant topics.
The study is based on the analysis of 35 countries, 157,000 keywords and 24 social issues. Data collection took place between August 2022 and July 2023.
Most relevant topics by region
The analysis reveals a significant shift in societal priorities in 2023. While public health grabbed attention in previous years due to the pandemic, the focus has shifted to crucial issues such as mental health, the war on drugs, and sustainability. This shift reflects a transformation in global perceptions, marking a transition from immediate concerns of physical health to deeper aspects of emotional well-being and long-term sustainability.
In Europe, concerns about energy, pollution and sustainability are intertwined with geopolitical events, while the Ukraine war and climate change impact energy policy decisions. In the United States, despite positive employment figures, issues such as unemployment, mental health and college debt gain prominence, supported by political changes and court decisions.
Oceania is experiencing a strong focus on mental health and sustainability, while in the Middle East, education and university debt take center stage. Africa, committed to fighting pollution and promoting sustainability, contrasts with Asia, where the war on drugs and mental health lead social searches.
Top 10 most searched social topics in Spain
Compared to 2022, the top 3 searches have remained fairly stable: sustainability, war on drugs and mental health. Rounding out the top 10 are: education, public health, pollution, unemployment, energy, privacy and migration.
Over the last year, searches related to sustainability and sustainable development increased by 125%. Climate change also ranks high, with an average of 26,550 searches per month, reaching up to 40,500 during the month of November. As Semrush explains, this is due to the fact that the United Nations Climate Change Conference was held during that month, which exemplifies the importance of government and political initiatives in creating environmental awareness in society.
This environmental awareness is also reflected in searches related to corporate social responsibility (CSR), which registered an increase of 46.2%, further indicating a growing interest in the ethical and sustainable actions of companies. However, in terms of sustainable practices, searches on recycling have decreased by 45.7%, while searches related to “carbon footprint” have increased by 24.1%.
Finally, interest in environmental protection, soil conservation and green energy is demonstrated by having pollution in 6th place and energy in 8th place.