Have you ever noticed how Google suggests search queries as you start typing? Those suggestions aren’t random—they’re based on what millions of others have searched for. Google collects this data and recently unveiled its list of the top trending searches for 2024. Curious about what captured everyone’s attention this year? Keep reading to find out!
News and Events
When it comes to news and events, it’s no surprise that the Euro Cup claimed the top spot in Canadian searches, followed closely by the U.S. elections. Canadians were also highly interested in local politics, with topics like the BC elections, Hurricane Milton, and the Jasper Fire drawing significant attention. Labour disputes were another hot topic, with strikes involving the LCBO, Air Canada, and Canada Post ranking among the most-searched issues.
Top Trending Searches in News & Events
- 1. Euro 2024
- 2. US Elections
- 3. Copa America
- 4. BC Elections
- 5. Jasper Fire
- 6. Hurricane Milton
- 7. LCBO Strike
- 8. Air Canada Strike
- 9. Baltimore Bridge Collapse
- 10. Canada Post Strike
People
Who was the most searched person in Canada? The top three weren’t actors or musicians, not even social media personalities or influencers (gasp!) They were actually political figures. The first was Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, member of the British Royal family. Second was U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and third U.S. President Joe Biden.
Athletes were also popular, including Olympic athletes like Imane Khelif and Canada’s Summer McIntosh. Musicians were still top of mind, however, including Usher, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan. Sadly, two celebrities who passed this year also ranked high in search, including Liam Payne and Johnny Gaudreau.
Top Trending People Overall
- 1. Kate Middleton
- 2. Kamala Harris
- 3. Joe Biden
- 4. JD Vance
- 5. Griselda Blanco
- 6. Tim Walz
- 7. Diddy
- 8. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- 9. Jill Stein
- 10. Emma Stone
Top Trending Athletes
- 1. Imane Khelif
- 2. Summer McIntosh
- 3. Simone Biles
- 4. Scottie Scheffler
- 5. Alysha Newman
- 6. Lamine Yamal
- 7. Andre De Grasse
- 8. Harrison Butker
- 9. Morgan Rielly
- 10. Anthony Edwards
Top Trending People Who Passed
- 1. Liam Payne
- 2. Johnny Gaudreau
- 3. Toby Keith
- 4. O.J. Simpson
- 5. Brian Mulroney
- 6. Donald Sutherland
- 7. Shannen Doherty
- 8. Maggie Smith
- 9. James Earl Jones
- 10. Darren Dutchyshen
Top Trending Musicians
- 1. Usher
- 2. Kendrick Lamar
- 3. Justin Timberlake
- 4. Tate McRae
- 5. Sabrina Carpenter
- 6. Ingrid Andress
- 7. Tracy Chapman
- 8. Chappell Roan
- 9. Linkin Park
- 10. Noah Kahan
Entertainment
The big movie release of 2024 when it comes to what Googlers were searching for was Inside Out 2, followed by Saltburn and Dune: Part Two. When it comes to TV, Baby Reindeer and Fallout reigned supreme. Kendrick Lamar was a most talked about musician with three of his songs in the top 10. Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” saw a massive increase in search when she returned to play at the Grammys.
Top Trending Movies
- 1. Inside Out 2
- 2. Saltburn
- 3. Dune: Part Two
- 4. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
- 5. It Ends With Us
- 6. The Menendez Brothers
- 7. Poor Things
- 8. Deadpool & Wolverine
- 9. Madame Web
- 10. Terrifier 3
Top Trending TV Shows
- 1. Baby Reindeer
- 2. Fallout
- 3. The Perfect Couple
- 4. Shōgun
- 5. Fool Me Once
- 6. Nobody Wants This
- 7. 3 Body Problem
- 8. House of Dragons
- 9. The Gentlemen
- 10. Quiet on Set
Top Trending Songs
- 1. Not Like Us (Kendrick Lamar)
- 2. Meet the Grahams (Kendrick Lamar)
- 3. Euphoria (Kendrick Lamar)
- 4. Thick of It (KSI)
- 5. Houdini (Eminem)
- 6. Apt (Rosé & Bruno Mars)
- 7. Espresso (Sabrina Carpenter)
- 8. Yes, and? (Ariana Grande)
- 9. Fast Car (Tracy Chapman)
- 10. Carnival (Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign)
What Questions Did Canadians Ask?
Of course, Google is best for asking questions about, well anything. When it comes to what Canadians wanted to learn more about, this included the solar eclipse on April 8 along with the anticipated (though disappointing) Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. Canadians also wanted to know more about Project 2025 and the electoral process. Undoubtedly the word of the year, Googlers also wanted to know the meaning of “demure.”
Top Trending “What” Searches
- 1. What time is the solar eclipse?
- 2. What time is the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight?
- 3. What is project 2025?
- 4. What is a solar eclipse?
- 5. What is Mpox?
- 6. What is fracking?
- 7. What does demure mean?
- 8. What time is the presidential debate?
- 9. What is CTE?
- 10. What is CrowdStrike?
Top Trending “Why” Searches
- 1. Why can’t you look at a solar eclipse?
- 2. Why is Drake trending?
- 3. Why is Israel attacking Lebanon?
- 4. Why is the LCBO on strike?
- 5. Why did Trump win?
- 6. Why did Israel attack the Iranian embassy?
- 7. Why is Copa América delayed?
- 8. Why is Nylander not playing?
- 9. Why did ISIS attack Moscow?
- 10. Why did Iran attack Israel?
Top Trending “How” Searches
- 1. How many electoral votes are there?
- 2. How tall is Simone Biles?
- 3. How long will the eclipse last?
- 4. How often are total solar eclipses?
- 5. How to watch the Olympics in Canada?
- 6. How tall is Barron Trump?
- 7. How to register to vote in the US?
- 8. How does being barefoot affect your health?
- 9. How to make solar eclipse glasses?
- 10. How many Canadians on the Florida Panthers?
What can we deduce from all of this? Canadians have a diverse set of interests, and while we care about silly things, we’re also deeply invested in what’s going on in the world and curious to learn more. Interestingly, it seems like Canadians have a bigger interest in politics across the border versus what’s going on right at home. Naturally, however, U.S. politics impacts Canada as well, so this makes sense.
Canadians have an interest in what’s going on in the world as well and want to increase their knowledge on a variety of fronts, including their vocabulary for those who didn’t previously know the meaning of the word “demure.” The eclipse really got people curious as well and what it is, how long it will last, and why it’s dangerous to look directly at it.
When it comes to music, current pop is tops, but some tunes suggest that the past is making a comeback, from Tracy Chapman to Eminem. Meanwhile, drama and scandal continues to pique curiousity.
Bookmark this list and let’s compare to 2025 to see how we have changed, grown, or even stayed the same 365 days from now.