Sport, music, and politics have dominated the curiosity of Brits in 2024, as revealed by Google’s annual Year in Search data. The report showcases the most searched topics and questions by UK internet users over the past 12 months, highlighting a year filled with passion, intrigue, and significant events.
The Euros: A nation of sport fans
At the top of the trending general search terms was the Euros, where England’s men’s football team reached the final before a heartbreaking defeat to Italy. Sport remained a major theme throughout the year, with darts sensation Luke Littler emerging as the most searched athlete. Littler’s remarkable rise in the sport captivated fans, earning him the third spot among the most searched individuals overall.
The sporting fever didn’t stop there, with football stars Jude Bellingham and Adam Peaty also making the list of trending athletes, showcasing the UK’s love for both established and emerging talent.
Tragedy and celebrity losses
Second on the trending search list was Liam Payne, following the shock of the former One Direction star’s untimely death while in Argentina. His passing left fans and the entertainment world in mourning.
In third place was the mystery surrounding Jay Slater, whose disappearance during a holiday in Tenerife gripped the nation. The tragic discovery of his body days later brought a sombre end to a story that had captivated headlines.
Curiosity across culture and politics
Politics was another prominent area of interest, driven by the UK and US elections. Questions like “When is the US election?” and “How to vote in the UK?” highlighted a year of civic engagement.
Meanwhile, the cultural sphere saw a resurgence of interest in iconic figures and stories. The highly anticipated Oasis reunion dominated music-related searches as fans clamoured for tickets to see the legendary band perform together again. Other popular musicians included Sabrina Carpenter and Dave Grohl.
In film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Dune: Part Two were among the top searches, while TV series such as Baby Reindeer and Fallout captured viewers’ imaginations.
Top trending searches and questions of 2024
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the UK’s most-searched terms and queries:
Top searches
- Euros
- Liam Payne
- Jay Slater
- Michael Mosley
- US election
Top people
- Kate Middleton
- Donald Trump
- Luke Littler
- Keir Starmer
- Imane Khelif
Top films
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
- It Ends With Us
- Inside Out 2
- Dune: Part Two
- Deadpool and Wolverine
Top TV shows
- Baby Reindeer
- Fool Me Once
- The Gentlemen
- One Day
- Fallout
Top musicians
- Oasis
- Sabrina Carpenter
- One Direction
- Dave Grohl
- Raye
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Top athletes
- Luke Littler
- Lamine Yamal
- Simone Biles
- Jude Bellingham
- Adam Peaty
“When is…” questions
- The US election
- The budget
- The Euros final
- Coronation Street on this week
- Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul
“How To” questions
- Vote in the UK
- Get Oasis tickets
- Watch Fury vs Usyk
- Watch Tyson vs Paul
- Make a Pornstar Martini
Reflections on a year of change
Matt Cooke from Google News Initiative remarked on the diverse interests of the British public. “2024 has been a year of comebacks, curiosity and community,” he said. “Whether it’s fans reuniting for Oasis, young sports stars like Luke Littler making waves, or Brits voting in everything from elections to Eurovision, these searches show a nation full of passion and interest.”
The Year in Search results reveal much about the collective mindset of a nation, from excitement over sporting and cultural events to heartfelt reactions to tragedies and political milestones. Google’s data provides a fascinating snapshot of what captivated Britain in 2024 and reflects a nation deeply connected to both global and local stories.
