Google has released its annual list of top trending searches for 2024, highlighting the queries that experienced significant growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region compared to 2023. The lists cover a wide range of categories, including news, personalities, movies, TV series, tournaments, and sports moments.
UAE Trends: Cricket, Global Events, and News
In the UAE, cricket captured widespread attention, with the Men’s T20 World Cup emerging as the most-searched sports event of the year. Beyond sports, residents used Google to stay updated on major global and regional news, including the war in Palestine, the CrowdStrike outage, and developments in the spread of Monkeypox.
The personalities that trended in the UAE reflected a keen interest in international affairs, with figures like Donald Trump, Kate Middleton, and Kamala Harris leading the list.
Saudi Arabia: Football Fever and National Curiosity
Saudi Arabia showcased its unwavering passion for football. The match between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr was the year’s most-searched football event, while the AFC Asian Cup ranked as the top tournament.
The personalities trending in the Kingdom featured a mix of global and local figures, such as the late Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen, footballer Fahad Al-Muwallad, and Donald Trump, who ranked third. Saudis also displayed curiosity about their own country, with searches like “What is the total tourism spending in Asir?” revealing a growing interest in local developments.
Broader Insights
The trends reflect how people in MENA engage with a mix of local, regional, and international topics, from major sporting events and political figures to cultural and health-related incidents. Google’s annual lists continue to serve as a barometer for the interests and concerns shaping the region.
The full lists of top searches of 2024 can be found on the Google Trends website:
- United Arab Emirates: https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2024/ae/
- Saudi Arabia: https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2024/sa/
- Egypt: https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2024/eg/
- Jordan: https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2024/jo/
- Kuwait: https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2024/kw/
- Qatar: https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2024/qa/
- Iraq: https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2024/iq/
- Morocco: https://trends.withgoogle.com/year-in-search/2024/ma/
