Year in Search 2024: Here’s What Malaysians
Searched, Celebrated, and Remembered
From sporting triumphs to groundbreaking
news that shaped the nation, this year’s search trends offer a window into what
captivated Malaysians
As 2024 enters its final chapter, it is the
perfect time to reflect on the moments that defined the year. With Google’s
Year in Search, Malaysians are reminded of the topics they searched for
throughout the past twelve months. From electrifying sports moments that
brought the nation together, to headline-grabbing news and viral trends that
sparked nationwide fascination, this year’s searches paint a vibrant picture of
the stories that resonated deeply across the country.
A
Year of Sporting Glory That United Malaysians
2024 was a year when sports
had Malaysians glued to their screens and cheering with passion, with 6 out of
the top 10 trending searches reflecting the nation’s deep-seated love for
sports. Whether it was friends huddled around screens at mamak stalls, enthusiastically watching the UEFA Euro 2024
(#1 Search, #1 Sports) over steaming cups of teh tarik, or families gathering at home to catch every nail-biting
moment of the AFC
Asian Cup (#4 Searches, #2 Sports), the excitement
resonated deeply with Malaysians. The Copa América (#6 Searches, #4 Sports) added
to the football fever, proving that no matter the time zone, Malaysians will
always stay up for the love of the game.
The Paris Olympics 2024 (#3 Sports) also
saw Malaysian athletes bring their A-game, with badminton stars Aaron Chia and
Soh Wooi Yik earning a repeat bronze medal in men’s doubles, while singles star
Lee Zii Jia claimed his own bronze in singles, proudly flying the Malaysian
flag high. The "Malaysia Boleh"
spirit carried on with the Paralympics 2024 (#9 Sports), adding an
emotional layer to the year’s sporting achievements, with Malaysian athletes
taking home five medals. Back home, local broadcaster RTM (#7 Sports) kept Malaysians
connected to all the action with seamless live coverage.
Stars,
Athletes, and Politicians
Malaysians’ love for sports
also translated into the personalities they were searching for, with athletes
taking half of the spots in the Trending People list. National heroes such as
cyclist Azizulhasni
Awang (#2 People) or fondly known as the "Pocket
Rocketman" and badminton player Pearly Tan (#8 People) inspired the nation
with their outstanding performances at the Olympics 2024. Footballer Faisal Halim
(#5 People) also
garnered attention with his impressive comeback to the national team.
Internationally, badminton enthusiasts followed the journeys of Thailand’s Kunlavut
Vitidsarn (#4 People) and Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen (#10 People),
whose stellar performances earned silver and gold medals at the Olympics 2024.
Sports aside, Malaysians were
keeping a close watch of the US election campaigns by Donald Trump (#6 People) and
Kamala
Harris (#9 People).
News
That Mattered to Malaysians
With the rising costs of
living, Malaysians turned to search for financial assistance programs and ways
to manage their budgets. Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (#1 News), the
government’s cash assistance for the low and middle income groups, topped the
trending ‘News’ list. Complementing these efforts was the Program Bantuan Subsidi Madani (#9 News) and
Sumbangan
Asas Rahmah (#10 News), which provided targeted subsidies,
collectively offering much-needed relief during challenging economic times.
Malaysians have also embraced
the digital evolution in education and welfare, with platforms like DELIMa (#8
searches, #3 News), offering digital learning tools for students and
educators, and AINS
(#7 News), fostering a reading culture among students, making their
way into the trending searches list. Social welfare programs like MyKasih (#6 News) that
support vulnerable communities were high on Malaysians’ search behaviour.
Additionally, the KWSP Akaun (#8 News) remained a focal point
for Malaysians planning their financial futures.
Taking
AI Enthusiasm to the next level
From chat bots to creative
tools, AI has seamlessly become part of Malaysians’ daily routines. The
widespread adoption in AI is further fueled by government initiatives like the
National Artificial Intelligence Framework and Digital Economy Blueprint, which
continue to drive AI integration across both personal and professional spheres.
For instance, AI chatbots
like Gemini
(#3 AI) are reimagining the way people are finding information and
staying productive. Malaysians are also staying creative with tools such as Viggle AI
(#7 AI) and
Vidu Studio (#8 AI) to
transform text into breathtaking visuals within seconds, unlocking new avenues
for artistic expression and innovation.
From
Bingeworthy Dramas to Blockbuster Hits
Malaysians flocked to
theaters in a wave of excitement as Inside Out 2 (#1
Movies) and Kung Fu Panda 4 (#6 Movies) brought beloved
characters back to the big screen. For fans who grew up with the earlier
installments, the anticipation was heightened and made these sequels into
must-watch cinematic events that reignited nostalgia. Superhero fans were
treated to a thrilling lineup with Deadpool (#2 Movies), Madame Web (#5 Movies), and Venom (#7
Movies) with each offering a
compelling take on the superhero genre that intrigues both longtime fans and
newcomers alike.
Back at home, TV dramas became a source of
comfort and connection for Malaysians. Global hits like Queen of Tears (#1 TV Shows), Marry My
Husband (#2 TV Shows) and
家族荣曜之继承者 (The Heir to the Throne) (#3
TV Shows) brought emotionally charged narratives to the forefront,
offering a blend of love, loss, and resilience that kept viewers hooked week
after week. Series like Aku Bukan Ustazah (#4 TV Shows) and Lovely Runner
(#5 TV Shows) emerged as fan favorites, weaving cultural nuances
into compelling stories that felt both authentic and emotional.
Remembering
Those Who Left Their Mark
While celebrating the
presence of loved ones, Malaysians also turned to Google to honor the lives of
figures who passed. The unexpected loss of Liam Payne (#1 Passing), beloved former
member of One Direction, sent shockwaves across the globe. The passing of Taib Mahmud (#2
Passing), Sarawak’s former Governor and Chief Minister, on the other
hand, marked the end of a significant chapter in Malaysian politics.
The nation also mourned the loss of
cherished personalities such as Nidza Afham (#4 Passing), Hamdan Senario (#6 Passing), Jaafar Onn (#7
Passing), and Nabil Zamanhuri (#10 Passing), whose
contributions left an impact in the entertainment industry. Globally, the
departure of legendary manga artist Akira Toriyama (#5 Passing), whose iconic
Dragon Ball series many Malaysians grew up watching, serves as a reminder of
the profound impact cultural icons have in shaping childhoods.
For
a look at the full list, visit the website HERE.
In
addition to showcasing what people were curious about in Malaysia, Google
Search tools also offer insights into which topics captured the entire world’s
attention in 2024. Visit the global trends site to explore the rest of this year’s Year in Search stories and
top trending charts from Malaysia and around the world.
What
is Google’s Year in Search?
Google’s
2024 Year in Search looks back at both the moments, people, topics, events, and
places across our 26 year history as well as within the past year that captured
the world’s attention. Just as Search can help you explore and discover a world
of information, there are many ways to explore the year through the lens of
Google Search. Year in Search takes a look at the overall most searched trends
to hundreds of top 10 lists of trending topics across pop culture and
lifestyle, sports, music, news, and more from across over 60 countries.