Karachi, December 12, 2023 – Google has released its annual roundup of the top trending searches in Pakistan for the year 2023, offering a captivating overview of the diverse interests and evolving preferences of the Pakistani audience.
From celebrities to news events, sports, recipes, and more, the searches provide a comprehensive snapshot of what captured the nation’s attention throughout the year.
People in the Spotlight:
Reflecting the diverse tastes of the public, the top 10 trending searches for “people” in Pakistan revealed a mix of personalities that intrigued the nation. Hareem Shah and Aliza Sehar emerged as popular searches, alongside Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff, whose extensive searches were fueled by rumors about his well-being. Emerging cricket talents like Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, and Haseebullah Khan also garnered significant attention. Political figures, including Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, featured prominently, reflecting a keen interest in national politics. Notable performances in cricket by Glenn Maxwell, Shubman Gill, and Usman Khan in the Cricket World Cup and Pakistan Super League earned them spots in the searches.
On the Front Page:
The war in Israel and Gaza claimed the top spot in the news category, underlining the global events that captivated Pakistani audiences. The Ehsaas Program, aimed at providing financial aid, also gained traction, indicating public interest in government initiatives. The Peshawar Blast and searches related to economic indicators like the Pakistani Rupee reflected concerns for security and economic stability.
Reasons to Celebrate:
Cricket dominated the category of celebrations, with the Pakistan Super League, Cricket World Cup, Asia Cup 2023, Indian Premier League, and Ashes featuring prominently in the top searches. Religious holidays such as Eid-ul-Fitr 2023, Ramadan Mubarak, and Eid-ul-Adha Mubarak were also widely searched. The political milestone of Pakistan National Elections 2023 made it to the top 10, showcasing civic engagement.
Film Buff Queries:
Film enthusiasts explored a diverse cinematic landscape with searches for Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” taking the lead, followed by blockbusters like “Jawan” and “Pathan” featuring Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan. The global phenomenon “Barbie” made it to the top 5, emphasizing its popularity in Pakistan. Audiences showed anticipation for action-packed thrillers with searches for “Tiger 3,” “Gadar 2,” “John Wick 4,” and “Extraction 2.” The TV series “Farzi” also found a place in the searches.
Culinary Explorations:
Foodies in Pakistan delved into a variety of flavors with top recipe searches. Samosa, Kaleji, and Sheer Khurma claimed the top three spots. Meat lovers searched for Namkeen Gosht, and a homemade alternative to packaged Tomato Ketchup. Chicken Roll, Watermelon Juice, and classic Steak recipes also featured, showcasing Pakistan’s love for BBQ and meat-centric dishes.
The Cricket Fever:
Cricket enthusiasts were fervent in their searches for matches in 2023. Top searches included Pakistan vs New Zealand, Pakistan vs Afghanistan, and Pakistan vs Australia, all highly anticipated clashes. The India vs New Zealand match in the Cricket World Cup final stages was also widely searched. Searches continued for encounters like Pakistan vs Netherlands, India vs Pakistan, Australia vs England, and more.
Seeking Information:
The top 10 trending “How to” searches revealed diverse queries. Creating a WhatsApp channel emerged as the trendiest “How To” search, followed by queries about applying for a Canada visa. Creative searches included making flowers last longer, removing mehndi from hands, and incorporating AI into Snapchat.
Google’s Year in Search for 2023 highlights the rich tapestry of Pakistani interests, spanning sports, entertainment, news, and culinary explorations. As the nation bids farewell to another year, these search trends not only reflect the past but also offer a glimpse into the evolving interests that will captivate Pakistanis in the upcoming months. Celebrating a year of learning, progress, and curiosity, the diverse searches underscore the dynamic nature of Pakistan’s digital landscape.