Google shares South Africa’s 2024 Year in Search results

YIS reveals unexpected trends and fascinating insights into the collective consciousness of netizens. It provides an annual analysis that reveals the top trending lists and spotlights what the world searches to see, learn, and do. In South Africa, this year’s results show a heightened interest in entertainment, current affairs, events, sports, celebrities, and notable personalities who have passed away.

Local artist Shebeshxt came in the second position of the top 10 music searches in 2024 followed by Chris Brown, Tyla, P Diddy, and amapiano songs ‘Tshwala Bami’ and ‘Kabza Chant’. Adding to the list the top 10 music searches in 2024 is Kabza De Small and Mthunzi’s hit song ‘Imithandazo’ and South African artist Ntate Stunna.

The year also saw the unexpected rise of a seemingly simple word, demure. Once a term often associated with outdated notions of femininity, demure has been reclaimed and reimagined for a new generation. What began as a playful TikTok trend ignited a broader conversation about individuality, self-expression, and challenging societal norms. From fashion runways to social media feeds, the word demure was everywhere, sparking curiosity and inspiring creativity. The meaning of the word demure is one of this year’s most searched words, this is according to the 2024 Year in Search data.

Among celebrities and media personalities who passed away this year, talented and rising star in the South African film industry, Mpho Sebeng topped the search list for loss. The passing on of English singer Liam Payne and local politician Pravin Gordhan followed in this category as losses that captured the interest of South Africans this year.

After conquering the box office worldwide, ‘Inside Out 2’ soared to the top of South Africa's most searched movies while ‘Baby Reindeer’ claimed the number one spot for the most searched TV shows.

While South Africans were eager to make their mark during the 2024 National Elections in May, IEC topped the most searched event list. Online searches also revealed a keen interest in the results of the US Elections which came up second place as the most searched event this year.

From a sporting perspective, AFCON, Euro 2024 and T20 World Cup, a biennial T20 cricket tournament dominated sporting events that South Africans were interested in. The AFCON which also topped the list of searches was held in Ivory Coast and saw Bafana Bafana's impressive run, igniting national pride.

Top 10 music searches in 2024

• Malome Vector
• Shebeshxt
• Chris Brown
• Tyla
• P Diddy
• Tshwala Bami
• Kabza Chant
• Donald
• Imithandazo
• Ntate Stunna

Top searched losses in 2024

• Mpho Sebeng
• Liam Payne
• Pravin Gordhan
• Connie Chiume
• Tito Mboweni
• Zanele Mbokazi
• Markus Jooste
• Aletta Bezuidenhout
• Dudu Myeni
• Solly Moholo

Top 10 most searched athletes in 2024

• Dricus du Plessis
• Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul
• Lamine Yamal
• Ronwen Williams
• Akani Simbine
• Nico Williams
• Christian Horner
• Riyad Mahrez
• Rhulani Mokwena
• Tatjana Smith

Top 10 most searched movies in 2024

• Inside Out 2
• Bad Boys 4
• Fool Me Once
• Movie Box
• Deadpool
• Damsel
• Divorce in Black
• Shogun
• Beekeeper
• Road House

Top most searched TV shows in 2024

• Baby Reindeer
• Griselda Blanco
• Beauty in Black
• Menendez Brothers
• Gugu Mbatha-Raw
• Siphesihle Mokoena
• Ronnie Nyakale
• The Crow
• House of the Dragon
• Big Brother Mzansi 2024

Top 10 searches in 2024

• AFCON
• IEC
• Alexandra Forbes
• Olympics 2024
• US Election Results
• Demure Meaning
• NSFAS Application 2025
• Matric Results 2024
• Joslin Smith
• NHI

Top 10 sporting events searched in 2024

• AFCON
• Euro 2024
• T20 World Cup
• Bafana Bafana
• Olympics
• Betway Premiership
• COP America
• Australian Open 2024
• Cape Verde
• Imane Khelif

Top 10 event searches in 2024

• IEC
• US Election Results
• George Building Collapse
• Ballon d’or 2024
• Dricus du Plessis fight
• Two Pot System
• ANC Coalition
• Crowdstrike
• Eastern Cape Floods
• Peanut Butter Recalled