Each year, Google’s Year in Search provides an uncanny snapshot of what captivated, worried, and inspired us. For 2024, the list of trending search terms is a reflection of a world navigating pivotal political moments, breakout cultural phenomena, and a steady stream of viral hits.
The 2024 U.S. presidential election dominated the charts, as former President Donald Trump secured a historic, second non-consecutive term. Love it or loathe it, his return to the Oval Office has reignited intense conversations, debates, and, yes, Google searches. Beyond the political maelstrom, pop culture juggernauts and athletic superstars carved out their own space on the leaderboard, with some of the year’s most defining moments fueled by viral artists, rising sports icons, and buzzy brand phenomena.
For those not inclined to wade through Google’s data dump, we’ve sifted through the noise to highlight the people, moments, and trends that truly shaped 2024’s search history. Here's a closer look at the year that kept our fingers glued to the search bar.
The top searches in the U.S.
As expected, the 2024 U.S. presidential election claimed the top spot as the most-searched term in the United States, closely followed by searches for former President Donald Trump, whose historic re-election has been the subject of intense interest and debate.
The buzz wasn’t all political, though. The New York Times' word game Connections grabbed the third spot, proving Americans are still as puzzle-obsessed as ever. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees managed to secure fourth place, primarily fueled by a thrilling playoff run and rumors surrounding their offseason trades. Vice President Kamala Harris grabbed the number five spot after stepping in as the Democratic nominee for president after sitting President Joe Biden stepped down.
The second half of the Top 10 Searches (U.S.) were as follows:
Copa América
Hurricane Milton tracker
Olympic medal count
Toby Keith
Liam Payne
The most searched people of 2024
No surprises here: the top four most-searched people in the U.S. in 2024 were dominated by the presidential nominees and their running mates. Donald Trump claimed the top spot, followed by Vice President Kamala Harris, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and President Biden. However, the fifth spot offered an unexpected entry — Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The search surge for Princess Kate was likely driven by a dramatic and somber revelation early in the year. In January, Kensington Palace announced she had undergone abdominal surgery, sparking weeks of speculation about her health and whereabouts. It wasn’t until later that the Princess disclosed she had been quietly undergoing chemotherapy— a heavy story, to be sure, but one that captivated attention across the Atlantic.
Rounding out the rest of the top 10 were:
Tim Walz
Mike Tyson
Jill Stein
Usher
Imane Khelif
Notable deaths
Sadly, 2024 also saw the loss of several prominent figures who left lasting marks on their industries and the lives of many fans. Leading the list was country music legend Toby Keith, whose passing in February prompted an outpouring of tributes and nostalgia for his storied career. Following closely in search interest were former One Direction member Liam Payne, whose death shocked fans worldwide, the polarizing O.J. Simpson, and rapper Rich Homie Quan.
Here's the rest of the top 10:
Thomas Matthew Crooks
Shannen Doherty
Carl Weathers
Richard Simmons
Maggie Smith
Most searched actors
Unsurprisingly, the most-searched actors in 2024 reflect a mix of comedic icons, rising stars, and fan favorites dominating both screens and headlines. Topping the list is Katt Williams, whose viral and controversial appearance on Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay podcast landed him back in the spotlight. Jacob Elordi follows at number two, riding high on his breakout performance in 2023's Priscilla and Saltburn.
Glen Powell lands third, bolstered by his charm-filled rom-com streak and action-packed roles. Fourth is Jeremy Allen White, still basking in critical acclaim for The Bear. Shane Gillis rounds out the top five, his rise fueled by a mix of edgy comedy specials and a surprise host spot on Saturday Night Live, years after being fired from the cast.
Here’s the rest of the top 10:
Hugh Jackman
Barry Keoghan
Adam Brody
Ella Purnell
Jodie Foster
Most searched musicians
The most-searched musicians of 2024 reflect a whirlwind of comebacks, controversies, and clashes. Topping the list is Usher, whose Super Bowl halftime performance, major tour announcement, and Vegas residency catapulted the R&B icon back into the limelight. In second place is Sean "Diddy" Combs, whose name dominated headlines due to a series of disturbing allegations that shook the music industry.
At three and four, Kendrick Lamar and Drake made waves with their fiery and deeply personal rap feud, which became the defining cultural narrative of the summer. Rounding out the top five is Justin Timberlake, whose year took a troubling turn following a high-profile DWI arrest.
Here’s the rest of the top 10:
Ingrid Andress
Sabrina Carpenter
Drake Bell
Chappell Roan
Tracy Chapman
Weirdest Google Search trends of 2024
No Year in Search would be complete without diving into the wonderfully weird and oddly specific things people were curious about — and 2024 didn’t disappoint. One of the year’s most popular internet theories was the "burnt toast theory," a whimsical belief that small, seemingly unlucky accidents can lead to fortuitous outcomes. Think: your toast burning made you late to work, which kept you off the highway and out of a major collision. Equal parts philosophical and bizarre, it captured the internet’s imagination.
Parents, meanwhile, struggled to decode Gen Alpha slang. A standout query in the parenting category was, “Why do kids say sigma?" — a reflection of the endless generational battle to keep up with youth culture. On aesthetics, "mob wife" dominated as a top-searched vibe, a nod to bold and glamorous fashion inspired by cinematic crime queens. And when it came to defining trends, "demure" led the way as the U.S.’s top-searched meaning of 2024.
