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As the global lockdown due to the Coronavirus continues to keep people indoors, the online world has seen some huge surges. Stuck inside people are now turning to the internet to learn new skills.
Using Google search data, we reveal what Brits have been learning how to do during the last six weeks.
The UK has searched for “how to” topics on google twice as much as they did this time last year. Here’s a breakdown;
Top 10 “How to” searches in the UK during lockdown
- How to draw
Brits are picking up their pencils and tuning into their inner artists, with 100% more people searching for how to draw than this time last year.
- How to make bread
Flour has been like gold dust in the UK during lockdown, but the lucky ones who managed to get hold of it have been filling their homes with the smell of home made bread. How to make bread was googled 900% more in the past 6 weeks than this time last year.
- How to cut hair
Up and down the country Brits are donning lockdown trims courtesy of their housemates. There have been over 900% more searches on how to cut hair as the nation desperately attempts to get their barnets under control.
- How to lose weight
There are lots of peaks and troughs around this search term, but we’ve seen a bigger spike than usual at this time of year. Perhaps some Brits are using the time in lockdown to transform their eating habits (or are just trying to shift the pounds after all the extra alcohol).
- How to screenshot
Working from home has forced lots of UK citizens to work from home and quickly transform into their own IT support. Screenshotting is not only useful for work, but is an easy way to share information with friends and family, which could be the reason for the spike of this search term.
- How to make a face mask
With a well documented shortage of PPE worldwide, it’s not surprising people are dusting off the sewing machine to make their own face masks. Compared to this time last year, learning how to make a face mask at home has risen by way over 1000%. 
- How to get Disney Plus
Offering something for everyone, Disney Plus has been a lifesaver for families up and down the country who are attempting to work from home while looking after the kids. The first week of lockdown saw a 1000% rise in searches for Disney Plus compared to before - Disney must be very happy with the timing of their coincidental launch date.
- How to delete Houseparty account
Group video chat app, Houseparty saw a huge surge in downloads after the lockdown was announced. But once stories of hacking came out, the nation decided it was time to abandon ship. Between the 29th March and 4th April, there was a 1000% rise in googling “how to delete houseparty account”.
- How to make scones
However you pronounce them, one thing we can all agree on is the fact they’re pretty delicious. Now more Brits than ever know how to make these traditional baked treats.
- How to cut your own hair
With hairdressers closed up and down the country, the people of the UK are desperately turning to DIY hair cuts. No doubt once the lockdown has eased, queues for hairdressers will be some of the longest going.
- How to get Disney Plus on TV
- How to use Zoom
- How to make pizza dough
- How to make burgers
- How to make iced coffee
- How to get Disney Plus on Smart TV
- How to cut men’s hair
- How to make honeycomb
- How to make fudge
- How to set up a zoom meeting
Top 10 “How to” searches in England during lockdown
- How to draw
- How to make bread
- How to lose weight
- How to make a mask
- How to make face mask
- How to make a face mask
- How to make cookies
- How to get Disney Plus
- How to make pastry
- How to delete houseparty account
Top 10 “How to” searches in Wales during lockdown
- How to draw
- How to make bread
- How to make a mask
- How to get Disney Plus
- How to make pastry
- How to make a face mask
- How to make cheesecake
- How to make cookies
- How to make pancakes
- How to cut your own hair
Top 10 “How to” searches in Scotland during lockdown
- How to draw
- How to make bread
- How to lose weight
- How to make a mask
- How to pronounce
- How to make a face mask
- How to delete houseparty account
- How to make pancakes
- How to make banana bread
- How to boil an egg
Top 10 “How to” searches in Northern Ireland during lockdown
- How to make bread
- How to get Disney Plus
- How to make scones
- How to make pancakes
- How to get Disney Plus on tv
- How to make potato bread
- How to delete houseparty account
- How to make pizza dough
- How to make buttercream
- How to make pavlova
USA top “how to” searches
Over the pond in the USA, search terms are very similar to the UK, however there is more of a focus on unemployment, possibly due to the lack of furlough scheme that the UK has.
How to draw
How to make a mask
How to make face mask
How to make a face mask
How to get stimulus check
How to file for unemployment
How to apply for unemployment
How to make hand sanitizer
How to take a screenshot
How to boil eggs
How to make a mask with fabric
Bandana mask how to
How to use zoom
How to make a face mask with fabric
How to track stimulus check
How to change zoom background
How to cut your own hair
How to check status of stimulus check
How to change background on zoom
How to make whipped coffee
Methodology - using Google trends data from the 23/3/20 - 04/05/20
For percentage increases Google trends data was used from the 12 months previous and to the nearest 100%. Disney plus calculated within lockdown.
