Google: South Africa’s TOP searches in 15 years REVEALED

On Wednesday, 11 August 2021, marked exactly 15 years since the launch of Google Trends. In honour of the occasion, Google released a lists of some of the most searched topics on its search engine and some of the results will stun you.

While issues pertaining to internet access remain a barrier for many in a country like South Africa, the current ICT structures are far more advanced than in most nations across the continent. According to Data Reportal, as of January 2021, there are more than 38 million internet users in South Africa – an increase of 1.7 million within a year (translating to a 4.5% increase). In light of the stats, it is interesting to see what South Africans have been getting up on the internet over the past 15 years or so.

What has South Africa been Googling?

The list reveals that South Africans have been using the search engine to get in touch with various government departments, stay abreast with current affairs and also seek answers to some questions – here are some of them.

The top five current affairs searches: Load shedding, Coronavirus South Africa, National treasury, Election Results and Heritage Day.

The top five searched questions: Where to stay, how to make money fast, how to make love, what is love and what is my IP.

The top five searched government services: Home affairs, Department of labour, Department of Education, E-filing and Department of Home Affairs.

The top five searched educational services: My Unisa, Google Scholar, UP portal, Puff and pass and University of Pretoria.

The top five job searches: DPSA vacancies, Career Junction, Job Mail, Gumtree Jobs and Eskom vacancies.

The top five food searches: Romans Pizza, KFC menu, Nandos menu, Debonairs pizza and Ocean basket.

The top five sports events and tournament searches: La Liga, Champions League, English Premier League, PSL standings and Rugby World Cup.