Google's Year in Search 2024: Top Trends and Most Searched Terms

Al Jazeera can confirm that Google has broken down the top trends and most searched terms on Google in 2024, revealing insights into global curiosity and interests.

The company releases an annual Year in Search report, which highlights the year's most searched news events, individuals, movies, songs, games, and food and drink globally. And, according to recent research, these findings offer a fascinating look at what people were thinking about this past year.

For instance, top news stories included global elections, environmental concerns stemming from extreme temperatures, and major sporting events like the Paris Olympics.

According to Google's Year in Search data, Donald Trump emerged as the most searched individual of 2024 – largely because of his ongoing personal life developments, including a successful presidential bid. Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, was second on the list with her absence from royal duties sparking speculation and concern among fans and royals alike.

Meanwhile, athletes like Imane Khelif emerged to global attention this year due to their impressive Olympic performances.

In the world of entertainment, moviegoers were abuzz in 2024 for a few unforgettable blockbusters. Disney-Pixar's Inside Out 2 captured widespread interest as a nostalgic sequel that sparked an avalanche of excitement among fans worldwide.

Musically speaking, Kendrick Lamar dominated charts with his powerful song Not Like Us, sparking passionate conversations about social justice and cultural sensitivity among music enthusiasts around the world.

Another fascinating trend this year revolved around video games. Global search rates jumped for several notable titles, from indie platforms to bigger releases by top gaming developers.

The culinary scene also witnessed notable trends in 2024, with recipes like Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen's famous chocolate muffins trending among home cooks worldwide.