In the days preceding the 2024 presidential election, the nation’s curiosity took form in a flood of Google searches, revealing the hopes, fears and last-minute decisions of fellow Americans.
Searches ranged from candidate platforms to “nearest polling station” as voters scrambled for important information and logistics. As results began rolling in, searches took a new turn, reflecting the collective pulse of a nation braced for change.
Google searches offer a rather enticing look into the homes and minds of America. It not only reveals what Americans are thinking, but also what they prioritize.
In the wake of a historical election, Americans searched “Who is running for president”.
From “election results live” to “where to watch the election”, the shift in trending questions painted a picture of both anticipation and uncertainty, further illustrating how search engines such as Google can become a window into the country’s political anxieties.
Google Trends offers insight as to what popular Google searches are, even going as far as detailing which states are asking certain questions the most.
The search engine uses a scoring system to show the popularity of search terms over time, each score reflects how interested people were in it compared to other days.
A score of 100 means the term was at its peak popularity on that day, while 50 means it was searched half as much. A score of zero means there wasn’t enough data to show interest, often meaning very few people searched it. Google Trends can create a clear picture of how people’s queries change day by day and highlight political division.
“Trumps Charges”, “Can I get an abortion”, “Will I lose my rights”, “How to buy a gun” and “Are books being banned” all scored a 100 from Nov. 5-9, 2024.
Google trends creates an odd and poignant opportunity for researchers, marketers or simply nosy civilians to take a look into what fellow Americans want to know — we are rarely alone in our times of confusion.
Nick Fuentes, a conservative live streamer, sparked debate when he posted “Your body, my choice. Forever,” on X the night of the election. On Nov. 10, his name scored a 98 on trending searches.
People search for information regarding their views or seek answers to the urgent questions that define their political identities, whether it’s about abortion rights, gun control or freedom of expression.
In this digital age, the questions we search are as telling as the answers we find.
“Can I change my vote” reached a 92 on Nov. 12, just one week after former president Donald Trump won the race for the election.
In a time of political divisiveness, search engines such as Google can serve as a sort of “no man’s land” regarding what we think. As divided as America has become, we all turn to Google for ammo.
As the nation grappled with the race to the presidency, another “fight” grabbed the attention of millions — Mike Tyson v.s. Jake Paul on Nov. 15.
In the face of punches and stage lights, viewers could not help but ask the question, “Who did Mike Tyson vote for”, which scored a 100 on Nov. 16, just one day after the fight.
As Americans encountered a pivotal election, simple Google searches became more than just data points. They revealed a country brimming with questions regarding their future, their rights and when the next football game is.
