News, songs, movies and games: What the world discovered in 2024 infographic news

Every December, Google publishes its Year in Search, a revealing capsule of the most searched topics that reflects the world’s collective curiosity and what they typed into the famous search bar.

In 2024, major news events, such as global elections, as well as the year’s biggest cultural hits, were behind the highest search traffic. Here’s a breakdown of the year’s most searched topics on news stories, people, movies, songs, games, and food and drink globally.

Which news stories were searched for the most in 2024?

Elections, environmental concerns due to extreme temperatures and huge sporting events were the major points of interest in the news this year.

The US election was the most searched news event of the year, reflecting global interest in US politics. From Joe Biden’s dramatic exit from the presidential race to the heated debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the election generated enormous buzz, which peaked in late October/early November.

Extreme heat was the second most searched news story – a reminder of the world’s looming climate crisis, which saw 2024 see extreme, record-breaking temperatures across the globe.

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 innovations in sports, such as breaking.

Who were the most searched people in 2024?

Donald Trump, with his polarizing personality, was the most searched person this year. His legal battles and ultimately successful run for the US presidency kept him at the top of search bars, fueling discussions and online searches.

Princess of Wales Kate Middleton was the second most searched for person, especially as her absence from royal duties at the beginning of the year sparked a wave of speculation and concern.

Kamala Harris was the third most searched person globally in 2024. The Democrat and US Vice President sparked interest when she replaced outgoing President Joe Biden as the presidential candidate and entered the race for the White House just 100 days before the election.

Algerian boxer, Imane Khalif was the fourth most searched person in 2024. She won a gold medal in the women’s welterweight boxing event at the Olympics and sparked debate after a gender eligibility controversy.

Which films caught 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 rekindled interest with its old themes.

Deadpool and Wolverine and Saltburn were the second and third most searched films, respectively.

Which songs caught the world’s attention in 2024?

Kendrick Lamar’s track, Not Like Us, becomes the most searched song of 2024. Released in May, the powerhouse song has sparked conversations around race and appropriation.

Rose and Bruno Mars’ “Apt” and Creepy Nuts’ “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” were the second and third most searched songs respectively this year.

In 2024, the global influence of music extends to different languages ​​and cultures. Among the top 10 most searched songs was Japanese singer Koichi no Kento’s single, Hi Yorokonde, which peaked at number four on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

Similarly, Tamil singer Sai Abhyankar’s Katchi Sera was the 10th most searched song in 2024, becoming popular for its soulful lyrics, music video and choreography.

Which games were people most looking forward to playing in 2024?

In the gaming world, The New York Times’ word game Connections attracted the attention of players in the US and beyond, with players everywhere flexing their mental muscles looking for connections between words.

Meanwhile, Japanese developer PocketPlayer released Palworld, which gained global buzz for its unique blend of open-world exploration, crafting, and creature companionship, offering a fresh take on survival games. Likewise, Infinite Craft captivated players with its limitless possibilities for building and creativity, cementing its place as a favorite among fans of sandbox-style gameplay.

The top searched games of 2024 show how popular games are no longer dominated by just a few studios or countries, with games from Japan, China, Sweden and Finland among the top 10 most searched games in 2024.

The Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong, for example, was the seventh most searched game of the year. The game is based on the 16th century Chinese classic Journey to the West, which is based on the Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s journey to India in search of sacred texts.

Which food and drink recipes were in trend in 2024?

Amidst food and drink searches, the recipe for Olympic Chocolate Muffins became a global hit. Inspired by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen, who credited the muffin for boosting his energy during games, it quickly became a viral sensation. Home cooks across the world tried their hand at replicating the recipe and shared their results on social media platforms.

Another standout trend in food exploration was tanghulu, a Chinese street food dish consisting of oblong fruits wrapped in a shiny, glazed sugar peel, which became a hit with foodies on social media.

Tiny’s Mac and Cheese also earned its spot among the top food discoveries of the year. Known for its creamy twist on the classic comfort dish, it became a favorite recipe for those seeking a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.