Every December, Google publishes its Year in Search, a revealing capsule of the most searched topics reflecting the collective curiosity of the world and what they typed into the famous search bar.
In 2024, key news events, such as global elections as well as the greatest cultural hits 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
What movies captured people’s attention in 2024?
Disney and Pixar’s animated sequel, Inside Out 2, led global searches in the movie category. The follow-up to the 2015 hit film reignited interest with its coming-of-age themes.
Deadpool and Wolverine, and Saltburn, were respectively the second and third most searched films.
What songs captured the world’s attention in 2024?
The top songs were driven by social media trends, viral moments, and international collaborations.
Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
2. APT. – Rosé and Bruno Mars
3. Bling Bang Bang Born – Creepy Nuts
4. Thick Of It – KSI
5. Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
6. Hai Yorokonde – Kocchi no Kento
7. Yes, and? – Ariana Grande
8. WILDFLOWER – Billie Eilish
9. Fortnight – Taylor Swift
10. Katchi Sera – Sai
Kendrick Lamar’s track, Not Like Us, became the most searched song of 2024. Released in May, the powerhouse song has sparked conversations around race and appropriation.
Rose and Bruno Mars’s APT and Creepy Nuts’ Bling-Bang-Bang-Born were the second and third most searched songs, respectively, this year.
The global impact of music in 2024 stretched across diverse languages and cultures. Among the top 10 most searched songs were Japanese singer Kocchi no Kento’s single, Hai Yorokonde, which peaked at number four on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
Similarly, Tamil singer Sai Abhyankkar’s Katchi Sera was the 10th most searched song in 2024, becoming popular for its soulful lyrics, music video and choreography
Meanwhile, Japanese developer Pocketpair released Palworld, which drew global buzz for its unique blend of open-world exploration, crafting and creature companionship, offering a fresh take on survival games. Similarly, Infinite Craft captivated players with its limitless possibilities for building and creativity, cementing its place as a favourite among fans of sandbox-style gameplay
The top searched games of 2024 show how popular games are no longer dominated by only a handful of studios or countries, with games from Japan, China, Sweden and Finland making the top 10 most searched in 2024
What games were people most eager to play 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 breaking
In the gaming world, The New York Times’ word game Connections captured the attention of players in the US and beyond, which had players everywhere flexing their mental muscles searching for connections between words.
What food and drink recipes were trending in 2024?
Among food and drink searches, the recipe for Olympics chocolate muffins became a global hit. Inspired by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen, who credited the muffins as his go-to energy boost during the Games, it quickly became a viral sensation. Home cooks around the world tried their hand at replicating the recipe, sharing their results on social media platforms.
Another standout food search trend was Tanghulu, a Chinese street food delicacy featuring skewered fruit coated in a glossy, crackly sugar shell, which became a hit for social media foodies.
Tini’s Mac and Cheese also earned its place among the year’s top food searches Known for its creamy twist on the classic comfort dish, it became a go-to recipe for those seeking a cosy, crowd-pleasing meal