Here’s what ruled Google’s Year in Search 2024

Each year, The Year of Google Search provides an extraordinary snapshot of what has captivated, troubled, and inspired us. In the year 2024, the list of trending search terms is a reflection of a world that revolves around important political moments, prominent cultural events, and a continuous succession of classic hits.

The 2024 US presidential election ruled the charts, as former President Donald Trump secured a historic, second consecutive term. Like it or loathe it, his return to the Oval Office has dominated intense discussion, debate, and, yes, Google searches. Beyond the political maelstrom, pop culture juggernauts and athletic stars have carved out their place on the leaderboard, with some of the year’s defining moments fueled by diverse artists, rising sports icons, and hot genre trends.

For those who don’t want to delve into Google’s data dump, we’ve filtered through the noise to highlight the people, moments, and trends that really shaped 2024’s search history. Here’s a closer look at the year that kept our fingers glued to the search bar.

Top searches in the US

As expected, the 2024 US presidential election took the top spot as the most searched term in the United States, followed closely by the search for former President Donald Trump, whose historic re-election has been the subject of much interest and debate.

However, the upheaval was not political. I New York Times‘word play Communication he took third place, proving that Americans are still as busy as ever. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees managed to secure fourth place, fueled by an exciting playoff run and rumors surrounding their offseason trade. Vice President Kamala Harris held the fifth position after becoming the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee after President Joe Biden left office.

The second half of the Top 10 Searches (US) was as follows:

• Copa America

• Hurricane Milton tracker

• Number of Olympic medals

• Toby Keith

• Liam Payne

The most searched people of 2024

There are no surprises here: the top four most searched people in the US in 2024 were dominated by the president-elect and his colleagues. Donald Trump took the top spot, followed by Vice President Kamala Harris, Vice President-elect JD Vance and President Biden. However, fifth place provided an unexpected entry – Catherine, Princess of Wales.

The increased search for Princess Kate may have been fueled by a shocking and heartbreaking revelation earlier this year. In January, Kensington Palace announced that she had undergone gastric bypass surgery, sparking speculation about her health and whereabouts. It wasn’t until later that the Princess revealed that she had been quietly undergoing chemotherapy—a difficult story, to be sure, but one that attracted attention across the Atlantic.

Rounding out the rest of the top ten were:

• Tim Walz

• Mike Tyson

• Jill Stein

• Usher

• It’s just Khelif

A notable death

Sadly, in 2024 they once again lost several outstanding individuals who left lasting marks on their industries and the lives of many fans. Topping the list was country music legend Toby Keith, whose death in February prompted an outpouring of tributes and longing for his life’s work. Closely following the search interest were former One Direction member Liam Payne, whose death shocked fans around the world, divorcee OJ Simpson, and rapper Rich Homie Quan.

Here are the top 10:

• Thomas Matthew Crooks

• Shannen Doherty

• Carl Weathers

• Richard Simmons

• Maggie Smith

Most searched players

Unsurprisingly, the most searched actors in 2024 feature a mix of comedy icons, rising stars, and fan favorites dominating both screens and headlines. Topping the list is Katt Williams, whose viral and controversial look at Shannon Sharpe Club Shay Shay podcast brought him back into the limelight. Jacob Elordi follows in second place, riding high on his game performance in 2023 Priscilla again Saltburn.

Glen Powell tied for third place, boosted by his rom-com series full of charm and action-packed roles. The fourth is Jeremy Allen White, who is still highly praised A bear. Shane Gillis rounds out the top five, his rise fueled by a mix of quirky comedy and suspenseful scenery. Saturday Night Liveyears later he was kicked out of the group.

Here are the top 10:

• Hugh Jackman

• Barry Keoghan

• Adam Brody

• Ella Purnell

• Jodie Foster

Most searched artists

The most searched artists of 2024 show a whirlwind of comebacks, controversies, and conflicts. Topping the list is Usher, whose Super Bowl halftime performance, major tour announcement, and Vegas residency catapulted the R&B icon back into the limelight. In second place is Sean “Diddy” Combs, whose name became famous due to a series of allegations that shook the music industry.

In hours three and four, Kendrick Lamar and Drake made waves with their fiery and intense rap feud, which became the defining cultural narrative of the summer. Rounding out the top five is Justin Timberlake, whose year changed dramatically following a high-profile DWI arrest.

Here are the top 10:

• Ingrid Andress

• Sabrina Carpenter

• Drake Bell

• Chappell Roan

• Tracy Chapman

The weirdest Google Search trends of 2024

No Year in Search would be complete without delving into the weird and wacky things people have been curious about – and 2024 didn’t disappoint. One of the most popular internet theories of the year was the “burnt toast theory,” the ridiculous belief that small, seemingly unlucky accidents can lead to fortunate outcomes. Think: your burnt toast made you late for work, which kept you off the freeway and out of a serious accident. Equal parts philosophical and weird, it has captured the imagination of the Internet.

Parents, on the other hand, find it difficult to distinguish Gen Alpha slang. A prominent question in the parents’ section was, “Why do children say sigma?” — a reflection of the never-ending battle to keep up with youth culture. In terms of aesthetics, “woman crowd” dominated as the most searched vibe, a nod to the bold and glamorous fashion inspired by the crime queens of cinema And when it came to defining trends, “demure” led the way as the US’s most searched definition for 2024.