Australians Explore Politics, Pop Culture, and Language Trends in 2024
In 2024, Australians turned to Google to explore a diverse range of topics, from global politics and celebrity news to quirky cultural phenomena. While politics took center stage with the U.S. presidential election dominating searches, pop star Taylor Swift also captured significant attention, ranking as the most-searched global figure. Her Eras Tour in Australia propelled her to fifth overall in search rankings, surpassing political figures like U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
In addition to political and entertainment topics, Australians showed a fascination for the meanings behind trending words like "demure" and "oatzempic," reflecting a mix of curiosity and cultural interest. Camilla Ibrahim, Google Australia's communications manager, noted that these trends underscore Australians' enthusiasm for politics, sports, creativity, and new challenges.
Global Events and Sports Lead the Way
Globally, the U.S. election was the most-searched topic, captivating Australians with its dramatic developments. Closer to home, Australia's record-breaking performance at the Summer Olympics—earning 46 medals, including 17 golds—sparked nationwide pride. This achievement made the Olympic medal tally the second most-searched topic. Sports remained a consistent theme, with the UEFA European Football Championship ranking third, followed by Copa America in seventh and the T20 World Cup in eighth.
Local Figures and Global Curiosities
In the realm of public figures, Australians were intrigued by local personalities as well as international headlines. Businessman John Singleton topped the list due to his connection to the Bondi Junction stabbing tragedy, which claimed seven lives, including his daughter. Julian Assange ranked second, with his release and public appearance fueling debates. Meanwhile, breakdancer and academic Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, captivated audiences with her Olympic debut, placing her third in searches.
Language Curiosities and DIY Projects
Australians’ interest in words extended beyond entertainment and news, with searches for the definitions of terms like "demure" (modest or reserved), "solfege" (a musical term), "vox" (voice or sound), "Monticello" (Thomas Jefferson’s historic estate), and "sobriquet" (a literary term for a nickname).
In DIY trends, Australians demonstrated creativity and practicality, searching for topics like car maintenance tips, Halloween costumes, and Easter bunny footprints. Craft projects also gained traction, with popular searches including Taylor Swift friendship bracelets and slime recipes that skipped glue or activator.
Diverse Entertainment and Travel Interests
Entertainment trends highlighted Australians’ taste for drama and suspense, with films and shows like Connections and Saltburn leading searches. Other favorites included Baby Reindeer for psychological thrills, Boy Swallows Universe for heartfelt storytelling, and It Ends with Us for its emotional depth.
Travel also remained a significant focus. Domestically, Australians searched for cheap flights to the Gold Coast, King Island, and major cities like Melbourne and Brisbane. Internationally, top searches revolved around visa-free travel to China and flights to destinations like Italy, Bangkok, Japan, and Phuket.