It is that time of the year again when Google unpacks how people across the world searched in 2021. For the South African Year in Search, there were a few oddities, while some familiar terms cropped up, such as Jacob Zuma, along with others that were expected like COVID-19.

In general though, it is a Year in Search where service delivery, access to grants and queries to complete tasks online dominated.

“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,” explains Google South Africa in a press release sent to Hypertext.

“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,” it adds.

Google has broken down the top 10 search terms in a number of different categories, including local personalities, music, sport, movies and TV shows.

The different lists follow below:

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:

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:

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 shows:

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 “how to” tech:

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?

Trending “What is” general:

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:

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?

[Image – Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash]