Google has on Wednesday revealed its annual Year in Search – highlighting the top searches in South Africa in 2016.
“Previously called Google Zeitgeist, the Year in Search provides a snapshot of the trends, people, and happenings that captured the nation’s interest during the year,” said Google.
The top trending searches for South Africa for 2016 all featured “a decidedly global feel” notes Google and includes “Pokemon Go”, “Euro 2016”, “Olympic Games Rio 2016” and “Donald Trump”.
Local news appears for the first time at number five on the list with “Election Results”, although that could pertain to both the local or US elections, both of which were held in 2016.
Unsurprisingly, “Jacob Zuma and “Public Protector” topped the top trending South African politicians and prominent figures list while “Mandoza” and “Gugu Zulu”, both of whom passed away this year, topped the top trending South African celebrities lists.
As part of the release, Google also announced the top ten ‘what is’ and ‘how to’ questions for the year with “Pokemon GO” topping the list of both.
You can find the 10 biggest searches in each category detailed below.
Top trending overall searches:
1. Pokemon Go
2. Euro 2016
3. Olympic Games Rio 2016
4. Donald Trump
5. Election Results
6. Mandoza
7. IEC
8. Mall of Africa
9. Caster Semenya
10. US Elections 2016
Top trending South African politicians and prominent figures:
1. Jacob Zuma
2. Public Protector
3. Gupta family
4. Thoko Didiza
5. Mcebo Dlamini
6. Pravin Gordhan
7. Sipho Pityana
8. Brian Molefe
9. Thuli Madonsela
10. Khwesi
Top trending South African celebrities:
1. Mandoza
2. Gugu Zulu
3. Emtee
4. Babes Wodumo
5. Gareth Cliff
6. Nasty C
7. Rapulana Seiphemo
8. Nyembezi Kunene
9. Ayanda Mabulu
10. Duke Soul
Top trending South African TV shows:
1. Cash Gang
2. Uzalo
3. Muvhango
4. Isibaya
5. Idols SA
6. Beintehaa
7. Bigg Boss 9
8. Skeem Saam
9. The Voice South Africa
10 Antara Nur Dan Dia
Top trending ‘how tos’:
1. How to download pokemon go
2. How to build a strong business relationship
3. How to lose belly fat
4. How to heat up cosmetic oil for production
5. How to remove bookmarks
6. How to make slime
7. How to tie a doek
8. How to deal with poor confidence
9. How to cope with being alone
10. How to prepare battered jackfruit
Top trending ‘what is’ searches:
1. What is Pokemon Go?
2. What is Java?
3. What is globalisation?
4. What is a blesser?
5. What is Brexit?
6. What is the weather today?
7. What is meant by restorative justice?
8. What is research?
9. What is a dependent variable?
10 What is biome?
