Every year, [Google’s Year in Search](https://mashable.com/article/google-year-in-search-2023-trends) provides an intriguing insight into the events, individuals, and trends that have captivated us all. The search terms trending for 2024 create a striking depiction of a society dealing with significant political changes, cultural achievements, and a continuous flow of viral incidents.
It comes as no surprise that the 2024 U.S. presidential election was at the forefront of the search queries, with former President Donald Trump [making history by winning a second non-consecutive term](https://mashable.com/video/jon-stewart-daily-show-election-results). His comeback to the Oval Office reignited passionate discussions and countless Google inquiries. Aside from politics, influences from pop culture icons, emerging sports figures, and viral phenomena also left an impression, characterizing the most memorable moments of the year.
To spare you the effort of diving into Google’s vast data, we’ve pinpointed the essential individuals, events, and trends that shaped the search history of 2024. Here’s a detailed examination of the year that kept us engaged with our devices.
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### Top Searches in the U.S.
As anticipated, the 2024 U.S. presidential election took the lead as the most-searched term in the United States, closely followed by queries about Donald Trump, whose landmark re-election ignited widespread fascination and discussion.
However, it wasn’t solely focused on politics. The *New York Times* word game [*Connections*](https://mashable.com/category/connections) earned the third position, highlighting Americans’ persistent fondness for puzzles. The New York Yankees secured fourth place, driven by an exhilarating playoff season and offseason trade rumors. Vice President Kamala Harris completed the top five after stepping up as the Democratic presidential candidate when President Joe Biden resigned.
Here are the remaining entries in the Top 10 Searches in the U.S.:
1. **Copa América**
2. **Hurricane Milton tracker**
3. **Olympic medal count**
4. **Toby Keith**
5. **Liam Payne**
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### Most Searched People of 2024
The individuals most sought after in the U.S. were unsurprisingly led by political figures. [Donald Trump](https://mashable.com/category/donald-trump) claimed the top position, followed by Kamala Harris, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and President Joe Biden. Yet, the fifth position saw an unexpected addition: Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The spike in searches for Princess Kate resulted from a dramatic announcement at the start of the year. In January, Kensington Palace disclosed that she had undergone abdominal surgery, prompting weeks of speculation. Later, she revealed that she had been discreetly undergoing chemotherapy, a disclosure that profoundly engaged audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
Here are the remaining entries in the Top 10 Most Searched People:
1. **Tim Walz**
2. **Mike Tyson**
3. **Jill Stein**
4. **Usher**
5. **Imane Khelif**
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### Notable Deaths
2024 also witnessed the departure of several cherished personalities, whose passings resonated deeply with fans around the world. Country music icon Toby Keith topped the list, dying in February and triggering a wave of tributes. The passing of former One Direction member Liam Payne stunned fans worldwide, while the deaths of O.J. Simpson and rapper Rich Homie Quan also garnered significant attention.
Here’s the rest of the Top 10 Notable Deaths:
1. **Thomas Matthew Crooks**
2. **Shannen Doherty**
3. **Carl Weathers**
4. **Richard Simmons**
5. **Maggie Smith**
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### Most Searched Actors
The most sought-after actors of 2024 showcased a blend of viral moments, breakout roles, and beloved crowd favorites. Leading the list was Katt Williams, whose contentious and viral guest appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s *Club Shay Shay* podcast brought him back into the limelight. Jacob Elordi placed second, riding high on the acclaim he received for his performances in *Priscilla* and *Saltburn*.
Glen Powell landed in third, known for his charming rom-com roles and action-packed performances. Jeremy Allen White, basking in the success of *The Bear*, secured fourth place. Shane Gillis completed the top five after an unexpected hosting appearance on *Saturday Night Live*, [years after being let go from the cast](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/shane-gillis-saturday-night-live-fired-now-hosting-rcna137161).
Here are the remaining names in the Top 10 Most Searched Actors:
1. **Hugh Jackman**
2. **Barry Keoghan**
3. **Adam Brody**
4. **Ella Purnell**
5. **Jodie Foster**
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