Summary
- FTSE 100 is one of the most searched-for personal investment terms with over 2.4 million average monthly searches in the UK.
- Experts explain the most common terms and answer the most-asked questions related to personal investment terms.
- Bitcoin is the second most searched-for term, with the most Googled question being how the cryptocurrency works
New research, carried out by brokerage comparison site Investing in the Web, has determined the top 10 most Googled investment terms and questions in the UK and worldwide, and provided expert tips for each.
1. FTSE 100 – 2,410,000 average monthly searches
The FTSE 100 is the stock market index that includes the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange by market value. The index is used as a gauge of the overall performance of the UK stock market and the economy. “How is the FTSE 100 calculated?” is one of the most searched-for questions by investors. The FTSE 100 is calculated based on the market capitalisation of the companies, but the weight of each company is determined by its relative market value.
2. Bitcoin – 617,000 average monthly searches
Bitcoin is one of the most searched-for personal investment terms, with “how Bitcoin works” being one of the most Googled questions. Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency that allows users to send and receive payments over the internet without relying on centralized institutions like banks. To start using Bitcoin users need to set up a wallet, which is like a digital bank account. The transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain and verified by computers (miners).
3. S&P 500 – 424,000 average monthly searches
S&P 500 is a stock market index that tracks the performance of 500 of the largest and most influential companies in the United States. The S&P 500 is a good indicator of market performance, meaning if it goes up, it usually indicates that large companies in the U.S. are performing well. Investors are Googling, “can S&P 500 crash?”, as it’s susceptible to large-scale market downturns. Economic recessions, geopolitical events, and interest rate hikes are a few reasons the S&P can drop.
4. Hargreaves Lansdown – 341,000 average monthly searches
Hargreaves Lansdown is a British investment services company that helps individuals with investment management, retirement planning, and stockbroking. Investors were found to be searching “can Hargreaves Lansdown go bust?” If Hargreaves Lansdown were to fail, all clients’ investments have trust status and are covered by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) up to certain limits, meaning investments are protected from creditors.
5. Vanguard – 170,000 average monthly searches
Vanguard is a large investment management company that helps people grow their money in the long term by matching the overall performance of the market (like the S&P 500). It’s known for offering low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds which allow investors to diversify their portfolios with minimal fees. One of the more commonly asked questions is “how Vanguard works?” Vanguard uses index funds as a passive strategy to track an index and exchange-traded funds that are stock-based and invest in indexes in specific sectors of the economy.
6. Interactive Investor – 89,000 average monthly searches
Interactive Investor is a UK-based platform that allows individuals to manage their investments online. Their services include stockbroking, trading, and investment management through a flat-fee pricing structure. Investors are wondering “is interactive Investor safe?” The platform is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and meets industry requirements with additional security.
7. Nasdaq 100 – 87,000 average monthly searches
Nasdaq 100 is a stock market index that includes the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Although it includes consumer goods and healthcare companies, it is heavily weighted toward technology companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Google. One of the commonly asked questions is “can you buy Nasdaq 100?” Investors at all levels can invest in Nasdaq 100 through mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, options, futures, and annuities.
8. Crypto – 80,000 average monthly searches
Cryptocurrency is virtual money that is not controlled by a bank and is secured by a blockchain, with crypto transactions being pseudonymous (made under a false name to protect user details). Investors were found to be Googling “are crypto assets FCA regulated?” The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) checks that crypto asset firms have effective anti-money laundering and terrorist financing procedures in place, but crypto assets themselves (like Bitcoin) are not regulated.
9. Ethereum – 74,000 average monthly searches
Investors are most interested in knowing “how does Ethereum work?” Ethereum is an online platform that enables developers to build and run applications, called smart contracts. It is independent of banks and uses its own cryptocurrency, called Ether, to power these applications and pay for transactions on the network. Similarly to Bitcoin, Ethereum uses a blockchain, maintained by nodes, with validators confirming transactions via Proof of Stake.
10. AJ Bell – 59,000 average monthly searches
AJ Bell is a UK financial services company that helps people manage their money by providing platforms and advice to invest, save for retirement, or grow their wealth in different ways. Investors want to know “are AJ Bell ISAs flexible?” AJ Bell’s stocks and shares individual savings accounts (ISAs) are not flexible; clients can take money out, but it will count towards your subscription limit.
Pedro Braz, CEO of Investing in the Web, has commented on the findings, “As the investment landscape becomes more complex, it’s essential for new investors to build a solid foundation of financial knowledge. Commonly searched terms like FTSE 100, Bitcoin, and the S&P 500 reflect a growing interest in both emerging and established investment options.
“Experts play a crucial role in helping demystify these concepts, providing clear, actionable advice that empowers individuals to make informed decisions. The key is to balance curiosity with due diligence, ensuring that investors understand not only how these financial instruments work but also the risks involved.”
