Google’s 2024 Year in Search: A Kaleidoscope of Global Interests from Elections to Entertainment

As the year winds down, Google has released its much-anticipated “Year in Search” recap, presenting a fascinating glimpse into the global psyche in 2024. The annual roundup not only reflects popular culture and global events but also encompasses a broad spectrum of public curiosity, revealing significant trends that have surged in popularity over the past year.

Among the dominant themes in this year’s list, global elections took center stage as the top news-related search, signifying the widespread political engagement across continents. The US election, particularly intriguing due to its high stakes and dramatic campaigns, was the most googled, spotlighting President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, both of whom also featured prominently in searches within the people category.

Sports continued to be a uniting factor worldwide, with significant events like Copa América, the UEFA European Championship, and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup rallying fans on the internet. Copa América, in particular, topped the overall trending searches globally, underscoring the enduring passion for soccer across diverse geographies.

In the realm of entertainment, Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” emerged as the year's top-trending movie, captivating audiences of all ages, while “Baby Reindeer” on Netflix ruled the TV show category. The influence of music was unmistakably highlighted by Kendrick Lamar’s hit "Not Like Us,” which led the song trends, illustrating the global resonance of his powerful lyrics and compelling beats.

2024 also saw an intriguing mix of searches in lifestyle and leisure categories. Notably, searches for the Olympic Village's chocolate muffin, popularized by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen during the Olympic Games, topped the recipe search trends. Meanwhile, linguistic and fashion queries showed peculiar tastes with searches spiking for terms like "demure" and "mob wife aesthetic" in the United States.

This year’s data extends beyond mere entertainment and sports, painting a picture of a world deeply engaged with and responsive to its cultural, political, and environmental context. The list of top searches is not only a reflection of popular interests but also of the pressing issues and personalities that have shaped 2024 globally.

Google's “Year in Search” offers more than just a retrospective glance — it provides invaluable insights into the collective consciousness of our time. The complete dataset, including country-specific trends, is available through Google's dedicated portal, offering a deeper dive into the search behaviors that have defined the year.

As digital giants like Spotify and dictionaries like Collins and Merriam-Webster release their end-of-year summaries, Google’s comprehensive outline of search trends stands out by offering a global perspective on what 2024 has been all about. Dive into the search data and discover the myriad ways people around the world connected with the events, personalities, and stories that shaped this dynamic year.