{
  "id": 17405,
  "title": "These Google Trends show people really want to touch grass",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/28/these-google-trends-show-people-really-want-to-touch-grass",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-07-28T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Google Blog",
    "slug": "google-blog",
    "url": "https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/touch-grass-trends/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent Google Trends reveal a strong desire among people to disconnect from digital devices and reconnect with the physical world. Searches for activities such as running, tennis, mahjong, and needlepoint have seen a significant rise, indicating a growing interest in outdoor activities and social hobbies.\n\nThe search term \"how to touch grass,\" which gained popularity this year, highlights the common understanding that touching grass means reconnecting with the physical world. The term itself saw a 90% increase in searches this year.\n\nOutdoor activities are particularly popular among those seeking a digital detox. Searches for \"run club\" and \"how to start running\" reached an all-time high in 2026, with related inquiries like \"how to find local run clubs\" and \"how to make friends at run club\" also seeing a surge in interest. Similarly, searches for \"walking club\" hit a 10-year high, while people are exploring \"adult tennis lessons\" and \"hiking\" more than ever before.\n\nApart from organized outdoor activities, tabletop games and crafts are also capturing people's attention. Searches for \"mahjong for beginners\" increased by 230% over the past year, while \"mahjong lessons near me\" and \"chess classes near me\" saw a double increase in the past month. Classic hobbies like knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint are also experiencing a resurgence, with searches for \"how to start a cross stitch pattern\" and \"is knitting or crochet easier\" trending.\n\nEven bringing nature indoors is gaining traction, with searches for \"how to host a cocktail party\" and \"how to host a garden party\" trending this year. Mahjong-themed parties are also becoming increasingly popular. Google Search provides a wealth of information to help individuals make the most of their offline time, from finding beginner hiking shoes to arranging floral arrangements.",
  "summary": "Google Search data reveals a growing desire to unplug and connect in real life with local run clubs, mahjong lessons and more.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Android Police",
        "title": "Google is giving the Pixel 11 a light show when it should fix face unlock",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/google-is-giving-the-pixel-11-a-light-show-when-it-should-fix-face",
        "published": "2026-08-01T16:15:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}