[imagesource:pureseo]
Yesterday I Googled how to become a death doula, composting for your home, and the dying art of Japanese Butoh dancing.
While Google is trying to figure out what category of searchers I fit into, the monstrosity of a search engine unveiled its 2024 Year in Search (YIS).
This year’s Google YIS report for South Africa doesn’t just drop a list of trending searches; it’s like a highlight reel of what had Mzansi talking, laughing, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. From pop culture moments to big national conversations, it’s a proper slice of our collective vibe.
The findings for SA reflect everyone’s keen interest in staying on top of our ever-evolving political and social landscape, with searches ranging from entertainment, sports, and civic awareness, suggesting a balanced interest in leisure and societal matters.
One of the eyebrow-raising highlights? The word “demure“. Ja, you heard right. A word that used to sound like it belonged in your ouma’s vocabulary is now living its best life on TikTok. What started as a cheeky trend has blossomed into chats about individuality and self-expression—go figure, hey?
On the music front, Amapiano did what it does best: shake the nation. Tshwala Bami, with SNE and EeQue at the helm, didn’t just trend—it exploded. Over 100 million streams in a single month? Yoh, that’s not just a hit; it’s a movement.
But it wasn’t all sunshine and jams. South Africans turned to Google to mourn, too. Rising star Mpho Sebeng’s tragic passing hit hard, making him the most-searched celebrity loss of 2024. He was followed by global pop sensation Liam Payne and political stalwart Pravin Gordhan—two giants who left their mark here at home.
In the entertainment stakes, Inside Out 2 had movie buffs deep in their feels, clinching the top spot for the most-searched flick. Meanwhile, the local TV scene was buzzing with Baby Reindeer taking the crown.
May 2024 was all about big moves and bigger questions as Mzansi geared up for the national elections. Naturally, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was the MVP of the Google search game, taking top honours as the most-searched event. But South Africans didn’t stop there—interest spilt over to the US elections, probably because we’re well aware that the big guns affect us over here.
Sports fans, as always, came in hot. AFCON and Euro 2024 had folks glued to their screens and their keyboards. Bafana Bafana’s performance at AFCON in Ivory Coast wasn’t just a talking point—it was a full-on vibe, reminding us all what national pride feels like. From political polls to penalty shootouts, it was a year where Mzansi showed up for the big moments.
In short? Mzansi’s search habits are a mix of deep feels, good vibes, and staying woke. Classic us.
[source:itweb]
