As 2024 comes to a close, Google’s Year in Search results give us a snapshot of what caught the country’s attention over the past year and had people turning to Google for answers.
In a year of elections both at home and abroad it’s no surprise that searches related to elections and referendums feature strongly throughout the results. The US Election was the second most searched term overall and Donald Trump was the tenth. US presidential candidates featured in the most searched people list, with Donald Trump in second position, Kamala Harris in seventh followed by Joe Biden in eighth. Closer to home ‘How to register to vote’ was the most searched ‘How To’ question and ‘What is the referendum about’ featured on the ‘What is’ list.
2024 was also a big year for sport, the Euros 2024 topped the overall search list and the Olympics was the fifth most Googled search. The Olympics also had an impact on the most searched people list, in a record year for the Irish Team two of Ireland’s medalists featured; boxing Olympic gold medalist Kellie Harrington is the third most searched person and swimming gold medalist Daniel Wiffen was the fourth most searched person. Repechage may not be a word many had heard of before 2024 but thanks to the Olympics many people turned to Google to find out what it meant, it was the second most searched term on the meanings list.
The Top 10 Most Googled recipe list gives us a glimpse into what Ireland has been trying to create in the kitchen this year. The viral Marry Me Chicken recipe topped the list, with Rice Krispie Square, Tanghulu and Patatas Bravas also featuring. Two cocktails featured in the recipe list, the Pornstar Martini and the Hugo Spritz.
Google Search is often the place people turn to when they need help deciding what to watch on TV or in the cinema. Baby Reindeer was the most searched TV programme, followed by Fool Me Once and The Perfect Couple. In the cinema it was the year of the sequel as Inside Out 2, Dune 2 and Gladiator 2 all featured on the movies list.
Every day, millions of people turn to Google to ask questions, look for help or find the meaning of words. Topping the most searched meanings list in 2024 is a word that is very reserved, very quiet- its Demure, the word that went viral thanks to a TikTok by lifestyle and beauty influencer Jools Lebron. ‘What is PMDD?’ topped the ‘What is’ list and other trending questions asked by the Irish public were ‘What is cloud seeding?’ and ‘What is brat summer?’.
Search can help you find a world of information – and the way people use Search can be a window into the world. Take a closer look at this year’s trending lists at Google.com/2024