What Do Taylor Swift, CDC Vouchers, & Labubu Have in Common? Breaking Down Singaporeans' Top Google Searches For 2024

Where did 2024 go? I swear it was only yesterday that we were still getting over the “Barbenheimer” craze. Alas, December has come around and it’s that time of the year when Google unveils its annual Year In Search 2024 lists.

So which trending topics captured Singaporeans’ collective curiosity this year? From pop megastars to vouchers that made our wallets smile, these searches tell us a lot about ourselves. Are we practical? Definitely. Starstruck? Of course. Slightly eccentric? You bet.

Trawling through the list, I would say I’ve personally Googled at least half of these terms. The rest? Well, let’s just say some trends flew right over my head (looking at you, Labubu). But that’s the fun part of breaking this down — reflecting on why we’re drawn to certain things and what it says about us as a nation.

So, what made us type “Taylor Swift” or “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” into the search bar this year? Let’s dive in, shall we?

Taylor Swift: Queen of Singapore Sports Hub (and Google)

Ah, Taylor Swift. The one name that united Swifties and non-Swifties alike this year. It’s no surprise then that she topped the list of “International Personalities” that was searched by Singaporeans in 2024.

Her record-breaking run of 6 concerts in Singapore back in March weren’t just a boon for fans; they also gave our tourism industry a much-needed boost. Hotels were fully booked, Grab rides surged to peak pricing, and even late night hawker centres were reaping the benefits of concert-goers needing a post-show supper.

Personally, I am more of a Coldplay fan. While the British rock band put on a similar week-long run of shows at the same venue (which I attended) to kickstart the year, I humbly concede that the “Shake It Off” singer is probably the bigger superstar right now. It’s no surprise that she would generate bigger headlines.

Did I attend the Eras Tour? No. But I did experience it vicariously through TikTok as Tay Tay’s backup dancer spewed Singlish phrases to the delight of concert-goers? You bet I did.

UEFA Euro 2024: Football Fever Hits Singapore

This comes as no surprise for a football-mad nation like Singapore that the Euros would be the top trending search topic of 2024. Every two years, the country will come to a standstill, whether it is the World Cup or the UEFA European Championships.

True story: I was in Germany on my holidays back in June, blissfully unaware that the Euros were happening in just a couple of days in the same country. As I strolled through Dortmund airport, realisation set in as I was met with banners and posters adorned at every corner promoting the Euros. It was such a shame that my holiday ended just as the competition was about to start.

Back in Singapore, my friends were waking up at ungodly hours to catch the matches live. I was on the edge of my seat, supporting my favourite country England, who made it all the way to the finals before coming up just short against Spain. I even managed to convince my girlfriend, who isn’t a fan of football, to catch the games.

The camaraderie, the heartbreak, and the celebratory kopi runs are what make events like this special for Singaporeans. Speaking of football fever, our own National Team is competing in our very regional version of the Euros, called the Mitsubishi Electric Cup and we happen to be in the semi-finals right now. It warms my heart to see the local support return to our own team. Do cheer for your Lions as we try to go all the way!

CDC Vouchers: The Singaporean Superpower

CDC vouchers made it to the Top 5 of Singaporean Google searches. And let’s be honest: they are quintessentially a Singaporean way of life at this point. When inflation strikes, we strike back with these digital lifelines. I’ve utilised my own CDC vouchers for all kinds of occasions, from grocery shopping to enjoying a hearty meal at my favourite hawkers.

My personal highlight of 2024? Using my CDC vouchers to pay for a family-sized mookata feast. Nothing brings Singaporeans together like a good deal, and CDC vouchers are proof of our uncanny ability to turn saving money into a national sport. Now if only these vouchers worked on Grab rides during Taylor Swift’s concert nights.

Labubu: Cute Collectibles or Wallet Wreckers?

What exactly is Labubu and why did it make the Top 10 list of Google searches in 2024? Confession: I had no idea as well until it appeared on this list as I was doing research for this article. Apparently, the wildly popular collectible that shot to mainstream consciousness after K-pop star Lisa from Blackpink posted about it on her social media.

Labubu’s latest editions flew off the shelves this year. I guess it goes to show that Singaporeans love a good collectible. But don’t be fooled by these adorable plush toys. They can be absurdly pricey, easily costing in the hundreds. I Googled “Labubu resale value” out of sheer curiosity and spoiler alert - it’s enough to make you rethink your budgeting priorities.

Max Maeder: The Singaporean Starboy Who Sailed His Way Into The History Books

The most searched local personality of 2024 is Max Max Maeder. This 17-year-old Olympic medalist made us all proud back in August by snagging bronze on National Day during the Paris Olympics. What a perfect birthday gift for the nation.

Not only that, Max Maeder put the sport of kitefoiling on the map with his highly impressive performances What’s kitefoiling, you ask? Imagine surfing, but with a kite pulling you along at breakneck speeds. Cool, right? Kudos to Max for making it look effortless and giving us a reason to cheer this past National Day. Here’s hoping he inspires more young Singaporean athletes to chase the Olympic dream.

How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies: Thai Tearjerker Steals Hearts

This Thai masterpiece trumped global blockbusters such as Deadpool & Wolverine and Dune 2 to top Google’s most searched movie for Singaporeans. I’ll admit, I haven’t watched this Thai tearjerker yet, but the title alone is enough to spark curiosity. A movie with such a cheeky yet heartfelt premise? Sign me up. It’s refreshing to see films from our neighbours getting the spotlight they deserve. They’ve even been shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. Bravo!

Based on the memes and TikToks flooding my feed, it’s clear this film resonated deeply with audiences here and stole their hearts as well. Add this to my ever-growing list of movies to watch when I’m in need of a good cry.

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