money The Daily Money: Google's top searches of 2021; websites recover after Amazon outage
Hello, Daily Money readers. Jayme Deerwester with you again this Wednesday morning.
It's Dec. 8, so the annual avalanche of year-end stories is well underway. Today, we're looking back at Google's most-searched terms of 2021. The NBA was the most popular trending search in the U.S. this year, according to data released Wednesday by Google. Second on the list was DMX, the rap icon who died in April. Third was Gabby Petito, the YouTuber whose murder captured nationwide attention. The top financial terms? "Mega Millions," "AMC stock" and "stimulus check."
💡 INSIGHT OF THE DAY: With more data and services moving online amid a growing network of computer hubs across the U.S. and the world, problems will arise because of glitches and mechanical failures like Tuesday's Amazon Web Services outage. Still, as we continue to adopt an increasingly digital life, most of us don't really think about or understand the technology behind it all.
"It’s a scary reminder of the double-edged sword around the digital transformation," said Daniel Ives, managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities. "It’s just a few dominoes that could shut everything down."
Other stories you won't want to miss:
1. Changes are coming to your 401(k) and IRAs in 2022. See how they'll impact your retirement.
2. Elon Musk thinks humanity is doomed. "If people don't have more children, civilization is going to crumble, mark my words," the Tesla CEO says.
3. Gifts for the women in your life. Whether the ladies on your list are makeup lovers, foodies or forgetful, we've got 30 ideas under $100.
4. Alexa, home health care aide: Amazon has launched Alexa Together, a subscription services aimed at seniors and the people who care for them.
5. Would you drink Oreo wine? Barefoot Wine has teamed up with cookie brand for a red wine with hints of chocolate.
MOOD MUSIC: I'm not convinced Oreo wine is a good idea but it did inspire today's lyrical selection: UB40's ode to vino. "Red red wine, I'm gonna love you till I die. Love you till I die, and that's no lie."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Daily Money: Google's top searches of 2021
