Gas boilers and Bitcoin top online fears for year

People’s top concerns for 2020 are whether gas boilers are going to be phased out, according to an analysis of Google search terms.

Data provider Semrush looked at the UK’S most Googled queries surrounding what next year, and the next decade, will bring.

Coming second to boiler changes is the price of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin in 2020, which is followed by smart meters being made compulsory.

At fourth spot are searches for improved access to mental health services.

Concerns for the environment are also growing. The issue became the second most searched topic for 2030, followed by global and UK population figures – with growing numbers a concern for the planet’s depleting resources.

Searches for cures for baldness expected to be released in the next year were also popular, as were hopes that a total cure for blindness may come to fruition this year.

Kicking off top searches for 2030 is the World Cup, scoring top spot on the list with more than 30,000 UK searches since January.

Also in the top 10 for 2030 are searches for electric cars, Mars missions and growing world economies – as well as a concern that the world may end in ten years’ time.

Olga Andrienko, head of global marketing at Semrush, said: “From gas boiler and Bitcoin concerns for 2020, to the World Cup in 2030, it is remarkable to see how the table varies as people start searching what the world could be like in 10 years’ time.”

She added: “Importantly, it is clear to see that climate change is advancing up the agenda as the Greta Thunberg effect takes hold of the nation.”