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 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 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".  

Australia's top Google searches in 2016:

1. US Election

2. Olympics

3. Census

4. Euro 2016

5. Australian Open 2016

6. Pokemon Go

7. Donald Trump

8. iPhone 7

9. David Bowie

10. Prince  

Top category searches:

Australians: Mitchell Pearce

Global people: Donald Trump

News events: US election results

Sporting events: Olympics

Deaths: David Bowie

Recipes: Pancakes

How to ...?: Tie a tie

What is ...?: My IP address

Why is ...?: there a leap day  

Recipes (Most Searched):

1. Pancake

2. Carbonara

3. Banana bread

4. Scones

5. Hummus

6. Cheesecake

7. Quiche

8. Chocolate mousse

9. Crepe

10. Brownie  

How to…? (Most Searched)

1. How to tie a tie

2. How to screenshot on mac

3. How to make pancakes

4. How to play Pokemon Go

5. How to draw

6. How to write a cover letter

7. How to get rid of pimples

8. How to download from YouTube

9. How to lose weight fast

10. How to write a resume