Google has unveiled its highly anticipated annual “Year in Search” report, detailing the top trending queries entered across its search engine for 2024. Released this week, the report highlights the terms experiencing the most significant increases in traffic compared to the previous year, reflecting not just individual interests but also collective cultural milestones.
While the diverse trends encapsulated everything from major news events to pop culture phenomena, sports emerged as the dominant theme, particularly soccer and cricket. Leading this category, the Copa América captured global attention, marking it as the top trending search. Hot on its heels were other major events like the UEFA European Championship and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, illustrating the enduring passion for these sports across different nations.
Political events also played a pivotal role among the top searches. The U.S. presidential election ignited worldwide interest, as voters sought insights and updates relating to the electoral processes. This interest cascaded with searches about excessive heat and various aspects surrounding the Olympic Games, reflecting public engagement with significant global happenings.
Donald Trump, the recently elected U.S. president, was the most searched individual, showcasing the polarized public interest surrounding his administration. Following him were prominent figures like Catherine, Princess of Wales; U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris; and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who led the athlete category. The losses felt throughout the year were notable as well, with searches for Liam Payne, Toby Keith, and O.J. Simpson registering high interest among notable deceased individuals.
Entertainment trends were also spotlighted. The animated film “Inside Out 2” from Disney and Pixar was the year's most searched movie, with Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” capturing audience interest among television shows. On the music front, Kendrick Lamar topped the charts with his song “Not Like Us,” marking yet another highlight of the entertainment sector.
Delving even lower on the trends, one quirky highlight was the surge of interest around the Olympic village's chocolate muffin, famously appreciated by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen. This unexpected search led to the muffin becoming part of the global recipe trend for the year. Meanwhile, the New York Times' “Connections” puzzle stood out as the most searched game, indicating people's interests during leisure time.
Exploring country-specific trends reveals other intriguing aspects about what people were searching for online. For example, terms like “demure” and “mob wife aesthetic” gained traction, reflecting unique sociocultural interests within various communities across the United States.
Google noted the comprehensive scope of the report, stating it collated search data from January 1 to November 23, 2024. This year’s “Year in Search,” it seems, not only encapsulates the immediate interests of millions but also attempts to portray the broader themes of socio-political dynamics and cultural evolutions throughout the year.
Alongside Google, several other platforms also issued their year-in-review retrospectives. Companies like Spotify shared their Wrapped personal listening experiences, and lexicographers at Collins Dictionary and Merriam-Webster announced their words of the year. These reflections paint a richer picture of the year’s narrative as people look back on what shaped their 2024.
To explore the trends highlighted, Google encourages users to check out its dedicated Year in Search website, where more specific lists and insights can be found. With billions of searches conducted daily, this annual round-up serves as both a fascinating historical snapshot and helpful reflection for anyone curious about the zeitgeist of the year.