Google is the biggest search engine in the world. Whenever we find ourselves lacking any kind of information – whether menial or super important, we can simply fire up the internet and search it up through Google. It’s free, it’s easy and it helps deliver information in the speed of light!
But through all the years with Google (they have been around since 1998), have you ever wondered what people as a collective, searches for on Google? Let’s take a look at what Malaysians search up for on Google this year.
1. Top 10 Trending Searches in Malaysia
Looking at the top 10 searches in Malaysia for this year, things are looking pretty mundane with a lot of us just searching up information on relevant and important events. These events include; government initiatives, the elections, our new prime minister, the death of the queen and more.
Taking on first place is the government-led initiative “Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia” – researching about the government aid worth RM 8.2 billion. In seventh place is “Peranti Siswa”, an initiative led by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia to provide devices to students from B40 families.
In November, Malaysia’s 15th general elections was happening and the top trending searches are all related to one another. This includes “MySPR Semak”, “Keputusan PRU 15“, “MyUndi”, and “Anwar Ibrahim” made it into the Top 10, coming in at number two, four, five, and eight respectively.
Coming in third, Malaysians also searched for “World Cup 2022” as they prepare for the exciting world event. Mourning the loss of the queen, “Queen Elizabeth” comes at 9th place. To pass the time, “Wordle” and “Mental Age Test” are some of the most common online pastimes among Malaysians.
2. Top 10 Most Searched Places
When it comes to our searches for places, “Genting Highlands” tops the trends list in this category. Many of these searches are shopping malls including the newly-opened “LaLaport” in Bukit Bintang City Centre, “Pavilion Bukit Jalil” mall, “IOI City Mall” and “Tropicana Gardens Mall“.
Following the search for malls, Malaysians also search for fun activities to do like theme parks and aquariums such as “Sunway Lagoon“, “Aquaria KLCC”, “ESCAPE Penang” and “LEGOLAND Malaysia“.
3. Top 10 Most Searched Personalities
With the recent conclusion to Malaysia’s 15th general elections, many Malaysians searched for politicians – most probably to find more information on who they are voting for. Our newly-appointed prime minister “Anwar Ibrahim” takes first place followed closely by the notorious “Najib Razak” and “Ahmad Zahid Hamidi” in third and fourth place respectively.
In the international scene, former celebrity power couple, “Amber Heard” and “Johnny Depp” tops the first two trending searches. Meanwhile, actor “Will Smith” who took a swing at comedian “Chris Rock” at the 94th Academy Awards resulted in both of them making an appearance on the list too.
4. Top 10 Most Searched Movies
One of the first things we do before we watch a movie is… *drum roll* Google it! Researching a movie before buying a ticket is crucial, trying to see if it’s interesting before we waste 2 hours of our lives. Thus why this list is filled with this year’s most successful movies.
Local box office hit “Mat Kilau” shows up top at the list with Indonesian horror film “KKN di Desa Penari” coming in second. And the rest are international blockbusters including “Black Adam“, “Top Gun“, “Jurassic World Dominion“, “Doctor Strange“, “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “The Batman“.
5. Top 10 Most Searched Losses
Surprisingly, one of the most searched categories among Malaysians is losses. Following the year after COVID-19 pandemic losses, this year too, we have lost many of the world’s most influential and most loved people. May they rest in peace.
Coming in at first, is of course, the “Queen Elizabeth” – finally, a long rest after a long reign. Following is Malaysia’s beloved singer “Adibah Noor” who died of ovarian cancer. Other losses affected Malaysians include Thai actress “TangMo”, local drama actress “Syazlin Zainal“, Japan’s former prime minister “Shinzo Abe”, former pop singer “Aaron Carter“, former MIC president “Samy Vellu“, South Korean actress “Kim Mi-soo“, YouTube content creator “Technoblade” and veteran American actress “Betty White”.
To check out other top 10s, visit their trend page here. There are many other trending categories you can read on. To view the remaining “Year in Search” stories and top trending charts from Malaysia and throughout the world, visit the global trends website here.
Puteri Teja contributed to this article.
