Every year, Google Trends provides insights about what was interesting for internet users around the world. From these statistics, we can see what topics, issues, or people were most relevant and searched. After 2024, we will explore what affairs were significant in the United Kingdom last year.
The Most Popular Searches of 2024
According to Google Trends, the most dominant searches among United Kingdom users were:
- Euros
Last year, the 17th European Football Championship attracted the attention of football lovers. No wonder, that this is one of the top searches in the United Kingdom, as the England national teal also participated in this championship. However, Spain became European Football Champions, defeating the England team by a score of 2:1.
- Liam Payne
In the autumn of last year, news about Liam Payne’s death shocked his fans. The legendary One Direction member, a band from the United Kingdom, was found dead in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Although it is said that he fell from the third floor of the hotel, this death remains a mystery. His fans gathered for public meetings around the world to honour the singer’s contribution to the UK music industry.
- Jay Slater
According to 2024 UK Google Trends, another death has shocked society. In the summer of 2024 in Tenerife, young British teenager Jay Slater went missing. After 29 days of searching, a dead body was found. This situation received increased attention due to criticism of officials’ work and a fundraising campaign.
- Michael Mosley
The world lost a beloved British television and radio journalist, producer, presenter, and author last year – Michael Mosley. His unexpected death occurred while he was on vacation in Greece. He was also renowned for his intermittent fasting and low-carb diets.
- US Election
The United States holds significant influence over the global economy and world affairs. The entire world, including the UK, watches the US election debates and their outcomes with keen interest.
What Else Dominated in Various Industries?
According to Google Trends, in the entertainment world, the film industry was dominated by:
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
This highly anticipated sequel to the cult classic Beetlejuice finally hit theatres after years of development, delighting fans.
- It Ends With Us
Based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover, this film garnered attention not only for its adaptation of a beloved book but also due to rumours of on-set tension between the lead actors, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
- Inside Out 2
Another sequel to a popular animated film.
In sports, users were interested in:
- Luke Littler
A renowned professional darts player from England. In 2024, he was the runner-up in both the PDC World Championship and the Players Championship. This young athlete garnered significant support from the UK community.
- Lamine Yamal
A young Spanish footballer who won numerous awards, including the youngest goal scorer.
- Simone Biles
This athlete took social media and TikTok by storm. At 27, she is the most decorated gymnast in history with 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals.
Based on the Google Trends, the most searched musicians and bands were:
- Oasis
The English rock band announced a 2025 summer tour. The ticket sales, which opened late last summer, generated immense interest, causing long queues and system disruptions.
- Sabrina Carpenter
The American singer and actress captivated fans with her singles Espresso and Please Please Please. Espresso became the second most-streamed song of the year on Spotify with 1.6 billion streams. With both songs, she became the first female artist to simultaneously hold the number one and two spots on the UK singles chart for three consecutive weeks.
- One Direction
Fans flooded the playlists of the disbanded group after news of member Liam Payne’s death.
Final Thoughts
Last year UK searches reflected a mix of heart-wrenching losses and inspiring achievements. While the deaths of public figures like Michael Mosley and Liam Payne left a significant impact, the region also celebrated the successes of athletes, the release of new films, and the popularity of new music.
Sources: CNN, Google Trends
