Four of the top 10 Google search terms relate to sporting events. The number one most searched item relates to a competition of a different kind — one that has far-reaching geo-political consequences across the globe.
Each December Google looks back on the year that was and provides insight into the big themes of interest to Australians. This year there are two central takeaways: first, US pop culture and politics reign supreme.
“‘US election’ landed in the top spot of overall searches,” says Camila Ibrahim, Google Australia’s Search Trends Communications Manager. “We followed Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Beyond the political arena, Australia’s love for Taylor Swift shines in this year’s searches, as the pop queen reigned supreme as the top trending global figure.”
The second takeaway… we are sports nuts.
“Surprise, surprise… Australians are crazy for sport!,” says Ibrahim. “Sport-related searches featured across various categories reflecting the role that sports play in Australian culture. And we’re not just passive spectators – we were actively seeking information on specific events, athletes, and ways to watch these competitions.”
Case in point is the term that took 10th place in the Top 10 year in search list. It’s game, set, match for…
10. Wheelchair tennis Paralympics
Next, is a search term tangential to events. After all, in order to attend sports matches and concerts, first you need to buy a ticket.
9. Ticketek marketplace
Reiterating the global sports theme, is our fascination with cricket. This year, it was women’s cricket that piqued our interest most, specifically the competition that our easterly neighbours New Zealand were awarded the trophy for.
8. T20 World Cup
Further East again, is South America, where much of the ‘America’s Cup’ men’s soccer tournament was played.
7. Copa America
From entertainment taking place in global locales, to the convenience of our smartphones. Number 6 in the most searched terms this year, is the digital NYTimes game that asks players to uncover words that share a common theme.
6. Connections
The artist at the helm of the highest-grossing tour on record did not disappoint in 2024. The tortured poet — who performed 7 sold-out stadium shows in Australia — was the fifth most searched term this year.
5. Taylor Swift
British music royalty also had us on the edge of our seat this year. One Direction star Liam Payne tragically lost his life in October.
4. Liam Payne
Australians also expressed their intrigue of foreign currency, particularly that of the European Union. Every unit of the third-most-googled-term this year is currently equivalent to $1.65 Aussie dollars.
3. Euros
There’s no doubt 2024 was a banner year for sports. In August, nations came together in France to celebrate Citius-Altius-Fortius — Faster, Higher, Stronger — and battle it out for gold, silver, and bronze.
2. Olympic medal tally
Far from the streets of Paris, the political showdown of the year took place in polling booths across the US. The search term googled most often by Australians in 2024, was a battle for supremacy between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
1. US election
Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world. Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here or become a member here.
