Every December, Google publishes its Year in Search, a revealing capsule of the most searched topics that reflects the world’s collective curiosity and what they typed into the famous search bar.
In 2024, major news events, such as global elections as well as the greatest cultural events of the year, were behind the highest search traffic. Here’s a breakdown of the year’s most searched topics across news stories, people, movies, songs, games and food and drink globally.
Which news stories generated the most searches in 2024?
Elections, high temperatures that sparked environmental concerns, and huge sporting events were some of the biggest points of interest in the news this year.
The US election was the most searched news event of the year, indicating global interest in US politics. From Joe Biden’s dramatic exit from the presidential race to the fiery debates between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the election created a sensation, reaching its peak in late October and early November.
Extreme heat was the second most searched news story – a reminder of the world’s growing climate crisis, which has seen record-breaking extreme temperatures across the globe in 2024.
The Olympics, held in Paris this year, were the third most searched news event, featuring a dazzling – and controversial – opening ceremony as well as record-breaking performances by athletes and new additions to the games, such as record breaking.
Who are the most searched people in 2024?
Donald Trump, a polarizing figure, was the most searched person this year. His legal battles and eventual successful run for President of the United States kept him high in the search bar, stimulating online discussions and searches.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, was the second most searched person, especially due to her absence from royal duties earlier in the year, which sparked a wave of speculation and concern.
Kamala Harris was the third most searched person globally in 2024. The Democratic and US vice president sparked interest when she replaced outgoing President Joe Biden as the presidential nominee and jumped into the race for the White House just 100 days before the election.
Algerian boxer Iman Khelif was the fourth most searched person in 2024. She won gold in the women’s welterweight boxing event at the Olympics and sparked controversy after a row over gender eligibility.
What films caught people’s attention in 2024?
Disney and Pixar’s animated sequel, Inside Out 2, topped global searches in the movie category. The follow-up to the 2015 hit film has reignited interest in its coming-of-age themes.
Deadpool, Wolverine, and Saltburn were respectively the second and third most searched movies.
What songs caught the world’s attention in 2024?
Kendrick Lamar’s song, Not Like Us, has become the most searched song of 2024. The powerful song, which was released in May, sparked conversations about race and appropriation.
Rose and Bruno Mars’ “APT” and Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” were the second and third most searched songs respectively this year.
The global influence of music in 2024 extends across diverse languages and cultures. Among the ten most searched songs was Japanese singer Kocchi no Kento’s song, Hai Yorokonde, which peaked at number four on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
Likewise, Tamil singer Sai Abhyankar’s song Katchi Sera ranked as the 10th most searched song of 2024 and became popular for its peppy lyrics, music video and choreography.
What games were people most keen to play in 2024?
In the world of gaming, the New York Times’ word game Connections has captured the attention of gamers in the United States and abroad, which has players everywhere flexing their mental muscles in search of connections between words.
Meanwhile, Japanese developer Pocketpair released Palworld, which generated global buzz for its unique blend of open-world exploration, crafting and creature companionship, providing a new take on survival games. Likewise, Infinite Craft captivated players with its endless possibilities for building and creativity, cementing its position as a favorite among sandbox gameplay fans.
The most searched games of 2024 show how popular games are no longer dominated by just a handful of studios or countries, with games from Japan, China, Sweden and Finland making up the top ten most searched for in 2024.
For example, Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong was the seventh most searched game of the year. The game is based on the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, which revolves around the Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s pilgrimage to India in search of sacred texts.
What food and drink recipes are trending in 2024?
Among the food and drink searches, the Olympic Chocolate Muffins recipe was a global hit. Inspired by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen, who credited the cakes as a source of energy during the Games, it quickly became a sensation. Home cooks around the world have been trying to replicate the recipe and sharing their results on social media platforms.
Another notable foraging trend has been Tanghulu, a Chinese street food delicacy featuring grilled fruit encased in a shiny, crackly sugar crust, which has been a hit with foodies on social media.
Tini’s Mac and Cheese also earned its place among the top food searches of the year. Known for its creamy twist on the classic comfort dish, this dish has become a favorite recipe for those looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.
