We are what we Google. Search queries reflect our interests, fears, dreams and pressing needs, like a mirror. In 2024, the Ukrainian segment of the Internet was filled with stories about changes in society caused by the war, adaptation to new realities, and the search for answers to questions that concern everyone. What was searched for most often? How did the war and its challenges affect our inquiries? Google published search statistics for Ukrainians in 2024. Let’s consider it in our infographic.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
Light is in the foreground
The undisputed leader of search queries of Ukrainians in 2024 was “Schedule of blackout”. This trend is about pain, as well as the importance of predictability and comfort for Ukrainians in everyday life. It is hard not to agree with its prevalence nowadays. “Euro 2024” is on the second step of the rating. Ukrainians always cheer for their own and keep their finger on the pulse of major sporting events. Olympic passions inherent in stable societies were not alien to the citizens of Ukraine this year either: the 2024 games confidently took fourth place. It seems that sports are something more than just a hobby for Ukrainians. In particular, the popularity of inquiries about boxer Usyk shows that sports heroes live not only in the ring, but also in people’s hearts.
Who is Sirsky? After personnel changes in the military command, he became a symbol of a new wave of confidence in military leaders. In general, interest in leaders and activists remains consistently high in Ukraine. In particular, it is about paying attention to the controversial figure of Irina Farion, who reached peak values after the tragic death of the philologist as a result of intentional murder.
Ukrainians were also interested in the Russian city of Suja after the breakthrough of the Armed Forces of Ukraine into Kurshchyna.
Religious holidays remain a point of support in the most difficult times. The popular request “Easter 2024” proves this. Stories that shape a nation is about the film “20 days in Mariupol” – a request that reminds of the importance of remembering and understanding modern history.
Eurovision 2024 – a cultural event that united Ukrainians and Europe – completes the trending list. This rating is more than just numbers. It is a reflection of our lives, aspirations, moods and interests in a difficult but defining time.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
Quadrobers and Chinazes: Google knows what Ukraine lives by
“MSEK“ in search queries is not only about procedures, but also about eternal social issues: fairness, accessibility and humane treatment of those who need help. Medical and social expert commissions often became the subject of discussions due to registration of disability, complaints about bureaucracy, system reform, forgery of documents, when people received the status of disability due to forged conclusions.
REB – sounds like a code word. However, Ukrainians know that these are methods of electronic warfare. This year, they were actively looking for information about how electronic warfare systems, which are used by both Ukrainian and Russian troops, work. Inquiries about how these technologies affect drones, communications, and troop control were particularly popular. News stories about how Ukrainian forces use EW to neutralize enemy attacks often appeared in the media. It caused pride and increased interest in the topic. Russian EW systems and ways to bypass them have caused a lot of discussion in social networks and forums. There were also humorous stories about “REB” at the household level, when people confused professional equipment with ordinary “jammers” for mobile phones.
Terykony – famous mountains made of bare rocks, which have always attracted tourists, could not be done without. However, the current inquiries concerned the environmental threats associated with tericons that are damaged during war or become sources of toxic emissions due to hostilities. In particular, the danger of ignition of terrykons and its impact on the environment were discussed.
Blackout queues – a Ukrainian survival quest! The winner is the one who finds the graph faster than the lights are turned off.
TsNAP is a place where you can get everything: help, a nervous breakdown and new stories for friends. During the war, inquiries about TsNAP online became very popular. Citizens were interested in what services can be obtained without the need to personally visit the National Health Center. It was about registering a business, obtaining certificates, issuing a passport and other administrative services via the Internet.
Help OK-7 – sounds like a special operation code. But the reality is simpler: this is a document without which you can neither go there nor here. KAB is a scary request, but, unfortunately, it is very popular, especially for residents of front-line cities and towns. People were interested in different models of KAB air bombs, their characteristics and purpose. Of course, much of the discussion was about the consequences of using these bombs. People were interested in how an explosion occurs, what destructive power these bombs have, and what victims can be caused by their use.
Busification sounds like a serious transport reform. However, in fact, this is an ironic neologism that appeared in the Ukrainian infospace during the mobilization due to the Russian invasion. Busification refers to situations when representatives of territorial recruitment centers (TCCs) forcefully put men of draft age on buses right on the streets and take them to the recruitment center.
Quadrobers – modern youth no longer associate themselves with classic subcultures, such as metalheads or punks. Instead, new currents are popular: animeshki, violas, furies and quadrobers. If earlier you could meet informal people with black make-up and piercings, today they are teenagers with fluffy ears, dressed like heroes of comics or cartoons. So at Google, you could see a whole boom of inquiries about the still unusual subculture: Who are they – quadrobers? Do parents need to worry about their children’s fascination? What are the values and prospects of the new subculture?
Chinazes – maybe the new superfood from China? No, it’s a slang word that means pleasure.
We buy charging stations, watch documentaries and fantasy
Infographic: IA “FACT”
What is this rating about? About the fact that Ukrainians, above all, care about alternative sources of energy in the conditions of stabilizing power outages. And they are also interested in technologies and quite a bit of relaxation and exquisite sweets.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
And this rating demonstrates that cinema continues to support Ukrainians during the war, offering both cathartic uplift and an opportunity to distract from reality. Films such as “20 days in Mariupol” remind us of the strength of spirit and heroism of Ukrainians, while others: “Thoughts inside out 2” or “Konotopska witch” allow you to immerse yourself in the world of creativity, fantasy and restore psychological balance.
