‘Brexit’ Surpasses ‘Porn’ in Google Searches

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—“Porn” is almost always a heavily searched term on search engine Google; but as it turns out, sometimes finding out about real life can be more enticing. Such was the case on Friday, June 24, when the term “Brexit” overtook “porn” in terms of searches. Brexit is the name given to the referendum put before voters in the U.K. last week on whether to leave or remain in the European Union (a combination of “British” and “exit”). The final—and somewhat surprising—result was 52 percent of voters chose to leave, which had major and immediate implications worldwide. Though news of Brexit might have meant little to anyone outside the U.K. or the EU before the vote, Google searches show it was a hot topic worldwide the day after the vote.  In addition to a sharp spike in searches for “Brexit,” the term “EU referendum” also saw an increase, though those searches still remain far below the number of “porn” inquiries. According to Google data, searches for “porn” typically increase during weekends, and the term once again overtook “Brexit” on Saturday, June 25. The changes in search popularity were first pointed out by Chris Moran, audience editor at The Guardian in London.