Top Google searches in South Africa in 2021 — R350 Sassa grants and Squid Game

Google revealed the results of its 2021 Year in Search on Wednesday, showing what people searched for using its engine during the past year.

According to Google, its annual Year in Search report compiles the moments, people, topics, events, and places that captured the world’s attention.

The report is based on data from Google Trends, a publicly available tool that displays relative search volume across geographies, time periods, and queries that people want to know about.

“As the pandemic entered the second year, ‘Sassa status check’ emerged as the top trending search in 2021 — a reflection of the impact Covid-19 has had on the livelihoods of South Africans,” Google stated.

“The lists also reveal the country’s uncompromising love of sports and entertainment as ‘Euro 2020’ and  ‘Squid Game’, the Korean TV series that enthralled the world, both topped their respective categories.”

Here are South Africa’s trending searches in 2021.

Trending general searches:

1. Sassa status check
2. Euro 2020
3. Premier League
4. Shona Ferguson
5. PSL
6. Pakistan vs South Africa
7. Election results
8. Killer Kau
9. DMX
10. Wimbledon

Trending local personalities:

1. Jacob Zuma
2. Mpura
3. Ace Magashule
4. Zola7
5. Prince Kaybee
6. Bishop Makamu
7. Percy Tau
8. Noxolo Grootboom
9. Carl Niehaus
10. Tatjana Schoenmaker

Trending global personalities:

1. Christian Eriksen
2. Alec Baldwin
3. Gabby Petito
4. The Weeknd
5. Pete Davidson
6. Brian Laundrie
7. Serena Williams
8. Joe Biden
9. Lil Nas X
10. Kyle Rittenhouse

Trending 2021 loss searches:

1. Shona Ferguson
2. Killer Kau
3. DMX
4. Jackson Mthembu
5. Menzi Ngubane
6. TB Joshua
7. Prince Phillip
8. FW de Klerk
9. Noxolo Maqashalala
10. King Zwelithini

Trending sport searches:

1. Euro 2020
2. Premier League
3. PSL
4. Pakistan vs South Africa
5. T20 World Cup
6. Wimbledon
7. La Liga
8. Champions League
9. IPL
10. Man united vs Liverpool

Trending movies and TV show searches:

1. Squid Game
2. Bridgerton
3. Red Notice
4. Black Widow
5. Skeem Saam teasers
6. Mortal Kombat
7. Suicide Squad
8. No Time to Die
9. The Good Doctor
10. Friends Reunion

Trending music searches:

1. DONDA
2. Drake – Certified Lover Boy
3. Adele – Easy On Me
4. John Wick
5. J. Cole new album
6. Osama – Zakes Bantwini
7. Amapiano songs
8. Kabza De Small – Asibe Happy
9. Cha Cha Slide
10. Umsebenzi Wethu

Trending “What is” general searches:

1. What is state of emergency?
2. What is covid 19 ?
3. What is human trafficking?
4. What is happening in Afghanistan?
5. What is Ivermectin?
6. What is global warming?
7. What is substance abuse?
8. What is Squid Game?
9. What is Gender Based Violence?
10. What is happening in South Africa?

Trending “How to” general searches:

1. How to apply for R350 grant?
2. How to register for vaccine?
3. How to check matric results online?
4. How to register to vote online?
5. How to check Sassa balance?
6. How to tie a tie?
7. How to make money online in South Africa?
8. How to claim UIF online?
9. How to drink ivermectin for Covid?
10. How to apply for NSFAS?

In the realm of tech, people searched for information on how to open and convert PDF files, download music, track stolen phones, and scan QR codes.

Trending “how to” tech searches:

1. How to open pdf file
2. How to download music
3. How to scan qr code
4. How to convert PDF to word
5. How to change wifi password
6. How to create a website
7. How to take a screenshot on laptop
8. How to track a stolen phone
9. How to delete a page in word
10. How to connect phone to tv

Now read: From farming to Big Tech — The South African in charge of Google’s Chromebooks division