South Africa's Top Google Searches for 2016

Google has announced its annual Year in Search and given us a small peak into the top searches made by South Africa in 2016. This snapshot of the most popular search trends, people and happenings that captured the nation’s interest during the year gives us an insight into how South African's use Google. 2016 data release has also included the top ten ‘what is’ and ‘how to’ questions for the year. Search topics have changed over the past 12 months if we compare the top dogs dominating last year. Top searches included load-shedding and xenophobia which were heated topics and distinctly local issues. This year’s top searches show South African eyes are turned to the world at large, not just at home. The top trending searches for SA for 2016 include Pokemon Go, Euro 2016, Olympic Games Rio 2016 and Donald Trump.

A local influence on search

Local news only gets a look in at number five on the list with Election Results which could refer to both the local or the US elections in terms of searcher intent. South African politicians and prominent figures list were naturally Jacob Zuma and Public Protector sitting pretty at the top of search queries. In terms of other local personalities, Mandoza and Gugu Zulu, both of whom passed away this year, topped the top trending South African celebrities lists. Without further ado here are final lists of top 10 South Africas searches for 2016:

Top trending overall searches

1. Pokemon Go
2. Euro 2016
3. Olympic Games Rio 2016
4. Donald Trump
5. Election Results
6. Mandoza
7. IEC
8. Mall of Africa
9. Caster Semenya
10. US Elections 2016

Top trending South African politicians and prominent figures

1. Jacob Zuma
2. Public Protector
3. Gupta family
4. Thoko Didiza
5. Mcebo Dlamini
6. Pravin Gordhan
7. Sipho Pityana
8. Brian Molefe
9. Thuli Madonsela
10. Khwesi

Top trending South African celebrities

1. Mandoza
2. Gugu Zulu
3. Emtee
4. Babes Wodumo
5. Gareth Cliff
6. Nasty C
7. Rapulana Seiphemo
8. Nyembezi Kunene
9. Ayanda Mabulu
10. Duke Soul

Top trending South African TV shows

1. Cash Gang
2. Uzalo
3. Muvhango
4. Isibaya
5. Idols SA
6. Beintehaa
7. Bigg Boss 9
8. Skeem Saam
9. The Voice South Africa
10. Antara Nur Dan Dia

Top trending ‘how tos’

1. How to download pokemon go
2. How to build a strong business relationship
3. How to lose belly fat
4. How to heat up cosmetic oil for production
5. How to remove bookmarks
6. How to make slime
7. How to tie a doek
8. How to deal with poor confidence
9. How to cope with being alone
10. How to prepare battered jackfruit

Top trending ‘what is’ searches

1. What is Pokemon Go?
2. What is Java?
3. What is globalisation?
4. What is a blesser?
5. What is Brexit?
6. What is the weather today?
7. What is meant by restorative justice?
8. What is research?
9. What is a dependent variable?
10. What is biome?

Information sourced from Google trends

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View the following year's results

1. South Africa's Top Google Searches for 2017
2. South Africa’s Top Google Searches for 2018

Tags: Content Marketing, SEO, Google , search trends