Google has announced the results of its 2017 “year in search”, showing the year’s major moments and top trends based on Internet searches conducted in South Africa.
This year’s trending searches show growing interest in local celebrities and events, with seven of the top 10 trending search terms being local, in contrast to fewer than half last year, the company said on Wednesday.
South Africans are also increasingly using search to find local businesses, with the “near me” search list showing what types of businesses South Africans look for in their neighbourhoods.
The information is gleaned from data collated by Google based on what South Africans have been searching for and asking Google this year.
The top trending South African searches in 2017 were:
- Dumi Masilela
- Zimbabwe
- Cyclone Dineo
- Joe Mafela
- Karabo Mokoena
- Joost van der Westhuizen
- Black Friday
- Mayweather vs McGregor fight
- Fast & Furious 8
- Hurricane Irma
The top trending personalities were:
- Dumi Masilela
- Joe Mafela
- Joost van der Westhuizen
- Zodwa Wabantu
- Mandla Hlatshwayo
- Lundi Tyamara
- Simphiwe Ngema
- Grace Mugabe
- Hugh Hefner
- Chester Bennington
The top “near me” searches were:
- Pharmacy near me
- Dentist near me
- KFC near me
- Jobs hiring near me
- Hardware store near me
- Gynaecologist near me
- Printing shops near me
- Steers near me
- Sushi near me
- Doctors near me
The top TV shows searched for were:
- 13 Reasons Why
- Games of Thrones
- Isibaya
- Uzalo
- Big Brother Naija
- American Gods
- Idols SA
- Sex in the City
- Big Little Lies
- Riverdale
