Google Trends turned 15 this week, with the platform proving a valuable resource to find out what people searched for during a specific period of time. As search it serves as a great barometer for what is happening online and we’d venture to say, offers some insight into digital zeitgeists.
To celebrate its 15th birthday, Google Trends has shared some information regarding South Africa, looking at the top searches that the country’s Google users have been typing in for a decade and a half.
“A look at the list reveals that, among other things, South Africans use the internet to find the answer to pressing questions, stay informed on topical issues, connect to government services, keep up with their favourite public figures and look for work, food, entertainment and health-related information,” explains Google in a press release sent to Hypertext.
Unsurprisingly, the search giant has plenty of data to work with.
“Google processes more than 40 000 search queries every second. This translates to more than a billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide,” the press release adds.
To see the Google Trends top questions, celebrities, sports, jobs, government services and more that South Africans searched over the past 15 years, scroll down.
Top searched questions, past 15 years in South Africa
- Where to stay?
- How to make money fast?
- How to make love?
- What is love?
- What is my IP?
- How to make pancakes?
- How to download from Youtube?
- How to kiss?
- How to lose weight?
- How to lose belly fat?
Top sports events and tournament searches, past 15 years in South Africa
- La Liga
- Champions League
- English Premier League
- PSL standings
- Rugby World Cup
- Serie A
- FA Cup
- England Championship
- Europa League
- Nedbank Cup.
Top searched South Africans, past 15 years in South Africa
- Cassper Nyovest
- Cyril Ramaphosa
- Julius Malema
- Jacob Zuma
- Bonang Matheba
- Zodwa Wabantu
- Black Coffee
- Babes Wodumo
- Senzo Meyiwa
- Pearl Thusi.
Top current affairs searches, past 15 years in South Africa
- Load shedding
- Coronavirus South Africa
- National treasury
- Election Results
- Heritage Day
- Boko Haram
- Hoërskool Driehoek
- Curfew South Africa
- Ramaphosa’s Wife
- Chesterville Durban.
Top job searches, past 15 years in South Africa
- DPSA vacancies
- Career Junction
- Job Mail
- Gumtree Jobs
- Eskom vacancies
- Government vacancies
- Transnet vacancies
- Jobs in Pretoria
- Best jobs
- DPSA circular.
Top searched government services, past 15 years in South Africa
- Home affairs
- Department of labour
- Department of Education
- E-filing
- Department of Home Affairs
- Post office
- City of Johannesburg
- City of Tshwane
- City Power
- Department of Justice.
Top searched educational services, past 15 years in South Africa
- My Unisa
- Google Scholar
- UP portal
- Puff and pass
- University of Pretoria
- Google Classroom
- Department of Education
- UJ Ulink
- TUT ITS
- Rosebank College.
Top searched international celebrities, past 15 years in South Africa
- Kim Kardashian
- Chris Brown
- Justin Bieber
- Lil Wayne
- Christiano Ronaldo
- Donald Trump
- Ariana Grande
- Taylor Swift
- Lady Gaga
- One Direction.
Top searched “lyrics”, past 15 years in South Africa
- All of me lyrics
- Hallelujah lyrics
- Adele hello lyrics
- Despacito lyrics
- Thinking out loud lyrics
- Amazing grace lyrics
- Panda lyrics
- Drunk in love lyrics
- Say something lyrics
- WAP lyrics.
Top food related searches, past 15 years in South Africa
- Romans Pizza
- KFC menu
- Nando’s menu
- Debonairs pizza
- Ocean basket
- Chicken Licken menu
- Food lovers market
- Pizza Perfect
- Uber Eats
- Burger King menu.
Top health related searches, past 15 years in South Africa
- Banting diet
- Pregnancy signs
- Apple cider vinegar
- NHLS login
- Symptoms of coronavirus
- Chicken pox
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Lower back pain
- Citro soda
- Blood in urine.
[Image – Photo by Jacques Nel on Unsplash]
