One trend, one coffee: “Steve Hilton”

A quiet morning, a loud trend: Steve Hilton. A spike like this usually means people are comparing notes in real time. What I saw people linking to Opinion | California Needs a Pro-Business Governor (WSJ) Opinion | How California became a case study in failed governance (The Washington Post) CNN's Fareed Zakaria blasts California's 'failing' … Read more

A trend check: “Bradley Barcola Transfer News” and what it might mean

I clicked one thing, then another, and suddenly Bradley Barcola Transfer News was the centre of my screen. It’s a reminder that the internet isn’t one conversation – it’s thousands happening at once. What I saw people linking to Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper: ‘My son has joined Premier League giants… it’s done and dusted’ (Belfast … Read more

“Wedding”: the story, the subtext, and my takeaway

You know when a word keeps following you around online? Today that word was Wedding. The search bar is where we go when we’re trying to catch up without asking anyone directly. What I saw people linking to Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Canceled Rhode Island Wedding Party (TMZ) Taylor Swift Didn’t Marry in Rhode Island. … Read more

“Alex De Minaur” is having a moment. Here’s mine

Some trends glide by. Alex De Minaur basically waved at me until I paid attention. I like to think of trends as a map of attention: messy, crowded, and occasionally revealing. What I saw people linking to De Minaur on matching Boulter at Queen’s Club: ‘I’ll never hear the end of it’ (ATP Tour) Queen's … Read more

I tried to summarise “Brandon Nakashima” without the noise

Some trends glide by. Brandon Nakashima basically waved at me until I paid attention. I can’t help noticing how different generations search for different reasons. What I saw people linking to Queen's Tennis LIVE: Alex de Minaur vs Brandon Nakashima – watch BBC coverage, live scores, results & order of play (BBC) Quarterfinals Live Stream: … Read more

I keep seeing “Sonny Baker” – so here’s a quick take

I noticed Sonny Baker climbing the list and decided to follow the trail. Sometimes you can feel a story crossing the invisible line from niche to mainstream. What I saw people linking to Sonny Baker’s second day was a lesson that Test cricket can turn on you quick (The Guardian) Sonny Baker: 'A dream come … Read more

“Jeffrey Donaldson” is everywhere right now’ and I have thoughts

I noticed Jeffrey Donaldson climbing the list and decided to follow the trail. It’s fascinating how quickly a topic can become common knowledge just by being searched enough. What I saw people linking to Jury in Sir Jeffrey Donaldson sex abuse trial continue deliberations (BBC) Jeffrey Donaldson trial: Jury resumes deliberations on child sex charges … Read more