It’s Women’s history month!! What better way to kick it off than with a round-up of the most influential Black women searched on the net? Reports say that Zendaya ranks very high on that list.

Black social commentators ThatSister researched to find the most influential lady of the year by analyzing Google search data for more than 100 of the most powerful African American women from January 1, 2022. 

Zendaya’s name is ringing bells literally, as she had 2.71 million monthly average Google searches in 2022. This ranking makes her the most-searched-for African American woman of the year. After starring in the blockbuster film Dune and the HBO series Euphoria, Zendaya has had an exceptionally successful year. The star has been in the news all year, along with her many acting accolades due to her romance with Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland.

While not a legal resident of the United States and thus not being counted in the official ranking, Rihanna has been Googled 1.77 million times a month on average this year. This number is slightly less than Zendaya’s ranking but still significant. Rihanna made major headline noise when she welcomed her first child with rapper A$AP Rocky and the announcement of her halftime performance at the 2023 Superbowl.

Here Are Other Women Who Joined Zendaya On The List

The second-most Google-searched Black woman in America in 2022 is tennis superstar Serena Williams. Williams announced her retirement from tennis in August 2022, which caused shockwaves throughout the nation and the world. As a result, people searched for the icon 1.65 million times in 2022.

Meghan Markle takes the third place spot with 1.56 million google searches per month this year. The anticipated release of the Netflix tell-all documentary with her husband, Prince Harry, made headlines all over the world.

Photo: Samir Hussein | WireImage

Beyoncé was the fourth most talked-about African American woman receiving 1.20 million Google searches per month. Due in large part to the release of her seventh studio album, Renaissance, in July. Yes, we are still waiting for the visuals, Bey!

Larry Busacca/PW18/Getty Images for Parkwood Entertainment

Our favorite former first lady, Michelle Obama, ranked fifth with an average of 1.19 million Google searches each month. This number falls just below Beyoncé’s. Additionally, Michelle Obama recently published her book, “The Light We Carry.”

Jada Pinkett-Smith is searched for 1.16 million times a month nationwide, placing her sixth. Following her husband Will Smith’s slap of comedian Chris Rock during the Academy Oscars, it’s a no-brainer that Pinkett-Smith made headlines.

The eighth most Googled Black American lady of the year is Oprah Winfrey. In America, there were 1.15 million monthly searches for Winfrey. Do we even need to explain why anyone would google one of the most impactful women on the planet? 

Nicki Minaj and Cardi B continue to go head to head, ranking at eighth and ninth place. Nicki raked in 1.12 million searches per month across the country, while Cardi followed closely behind with 940k searches per month throughout the year. 

Rounding up the top ten influential Black queens is our favorite host on The View, Whoopi Goldberg. Throughout the year, Goldberg was searched 648k times per month in the United States. 

ThatSister Study

A representative for ThatSister responded to the study by saying:

“This year has seen several notable celebrities hit the headlines for their acting successes, new albums, and personal endeavors. This study offers a fascinating insight into which celebrities have had the biggest impact on the American people and it will be interesting to see if these search figures rise or fall in 2023.”

ThatSister

We love to see our Black queens in the entertainment industry acknowledged for their impact and influence. Special shoutout to everyone at That Sister for taking the time to conduct this study and gather this historical data.