Australia's top Google searches in 2016

Politics was on top of the agenda in 2016 but Australia's love of sport also dominated the top Google search lists this year.

Source: AP

Despite voting in our own federal election, Australians were more curious about their American counterparts this year, Google's top 2016 search list shows.

Data released by the search engine on Wednesday shows the US election was the most 'googled' term this year, followed by the Rio Olympics and the census.

Australia's love of sport dominated the rest of the top-10 list with the Euro 2016 and Australian Open scoring a spot, while gaming app craze Pokemon Go also gained a sixth-place ranking.

NRL Roosters star halfback Mitchell Pearce was the most intriguing Australian, according to the trends data.

Polarising One Nation leader Pauline Hanson pipped Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to come in at fourth most searched Australian, while the PM came in at ninth on the list.

On foreign turf, US president-elect Donald Trump won the race for most-searched person globally, followed by Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton.

The US election results was the most searched news event, with the census, Pokemon Go and eclipse also making the list.

When it comes to recipes, pancakes, carbonara, banana bread, scones and hummus were the top five searches while instructions on how to tie a tie were the most-searched "how to's".