In December, Google released its Year in Search data, which showed what questions were most important to users in 2017. People turned to the search engine for inquiries about many topics, including relationships. They asked about how to make a relationship work, non-monogamous relationships and bad relationships.
Listed below are the 10 most searched relationship-related questions in 2017:
1. How to make long distance relationships work?
2. How to change relationship status on Facebook?
3. How to build trust in a relationship?
4. What is a poly relationship?
5. How to save your relationship?
6. What is an open relationship?
7. How to get over a relationship?
8. How to get out of a toxic relationship?
9. How to know when your relationship is over?
10. What does a healthy relationship look like?
The first result, “How to make long distance relationships work?” has become more relevant in recent years because technology connects more people across countries or even within the same state. Computers and smartphones may not have played a part in how the relationship formed, but it’ll be crucial in keeping it together. A long distance couple needs to have enough communication so that they’re in touch with each other’s lives but not constantly checking in.
Video calls can give a greater sense of being together. In the U.S., 14 to 15 million people say they’re in long distance relationships. Trust is also key in these kinds of relationships because so much of one partner’s life is separate from the other person’s. But as the relationship progresses, it’s really important to have a time in mind that both people can be in the same place permanently.
“How to change relationship status on Facebook?” speaks to how intertwined social media is with our lives. Nowadays, a couple will make their relationship official on Facebook the day of, only to take it off a month later when things don’t work out. People crave approval from their friends and family about their partner. It’s OK to make your relationship status public on Facebook, but no one likes those who upload couple selfies every day.
People showed their curiosity in non-monogamous relationships by asking “What is a poly relationship?” and “What is an open relationship?” Too often, people call these relationships a type of cheating when it’s much more complicated than that and shouldn’t break trust.
A poly, or polyamorous, relationship comes in many different forms. One example would be a group of one guy and two girls, named Steve, Jane and Rachel who have special relations. Steve and Jane were in a relationship first, but Jane started dating Rachel later on. In poly relationships, there may not be a “core” couple at the center and not all partners may be in love with each other.
A recent estimate believes 1.2 to 2.4 million people are in polyamorous relationships in the US. An open relationship always has a primary relationship because it consists of two partners who agree that each can have other sexual partners on the side. Many people in open relationships choose to stay “in the closet,” and only 4 percent of Americans claim to be in these relationships. If don’t right, both of these relationship models should have consent.
Half of the questions on the list have more to do with what to do when your relationship is bad, either how to save it or abandon it. What makes time with someone unpleasant really depends on the person. There are bigger issues, such as cheating and financial irresponsibility, but there can also be smaller concerns, such as shutting off emotionally and less sex.
Couples shouldn’t fight all the time; it’s better to pick and choose important battles. With these select problems, concerns should be communicated with the other partner. Don’t play the blame game and instead focus on solutions. If someone doesn’t take your emotions seriously, it could be a sign that you should break up.
The top ten relationship inquiries for this year are mostly timeless inquiries, such as how to build trust and how to save a connection. Some also indicate how people are opening up to new kinds — it’s interesting to see the ways our societal views are reflected.
Meghan Morris is a sophomore studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What's your opinion on Google's most searched relationship questions? Let Meghan know by tweeting her @marvelllousmeg.
