Google Search Contest Reveals Interesting Findings

COVID-19, Jacob Blake, riots and hand sanitizer were predictably some of the most popular local Google searches of 2020.

Kenosha.com asked its followers to reveal what they believed to be the most frequent local search items — with an opportunity to support local small businesses in the process — in its recent Kenosha Google Search Contest of 2020.

Pleasant Prairie’s Jackie Schmit accurately identified the top local search result as COVID-19 and was selected as Kenosha.com’s latest $500 prize recipient.

Schmit divided the $500 equally into gift cards from the following 10 businesses: Frank’s Diner, Waterfront Warehouse, Casa Capri, Iguana Wana Mexican Grill and Tequila Bar, Bristol 45 Diner, Yee’s Oriental Inn, Villa D’ Carlo, The Down Town’R Saloon, Sazzy B and Petrifying Springs Golf Course.

“I know from working with many small businesses that they are always so giving,” said Schmit, the Resource Development Coordinator at the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha. “To support them is the least I can do, while giving back to the community and the people who live and work here.”

“I know from working with many small businesses that they are always so giving. To support them is the least I can do, while giving back to the community and the people who live and work here.”

— Jackie Schmit, Resource Development Coordinator at the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha

So what else did local residents search for in 2020? We’re glad you asked.

While there was plenty of pandemic, rioting and political posturing in 2020, Kenoshans were a bit more creative with their guesses.

And here are some good ones:

• Where to find toilet paper (Jason Martinez)
• Kenosha Police scanner (Jacquetta Gilman)
• Recycling bins (Pam Jenkins)
• Bread recipes (Patrick Puhr)
• Gardening ideas (Loretta Jaffe)
• Canning jars (Stephanie Lichtenauer)
• Bucks (Nina Millsaps)
• Fishing (Amy Misurelli)
• How to cook a turkey (Rita Richmond)
• Best fish fry (Jenni Dosemagen)
• Best pizza place (Jackie Helfrich)
• McDonald’s (Sam McDermott)

Betty Hoelters didn’t submit her top local searches, but perhaps summed it up fittingly with her lone response: “Wrong answer, but Kenosha searched for peace.”

This year, local residents can hope for vastly different search results. Perhaps we will see summer festivals, live music, sporting events and other social gatherings on the list.

Ultimately, there are two key search words for 2021: Hope and prosperity.

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