Top Google searches in Singapore for 2019: Haze, Hong Kong protests and Monica Baey

SINGAPORE — They looked up when the air smelt bad, looked on in dismay at what was unfolding in Hong Kong, looked at the cinema screens as well as their mobile phone screens. Most of all, they looked for all these on Google.

This year, the haze, the Hong Kong protests, Avengers: Endgame and iPhone 11 were among the top five searches on Google for Singaporeans — with the haze in September as the most-searched item.

On Thursday (Dec 12), the tech company released the data showing the top trending searches among Singaporeans — across a wide variety of categories including home news, international news, entertainment and gadgets. 

Concern over the haze was high, since it was the first time in three years that it breached unhealthy levels in September.   

The Hong Kong protests, which have been raging on since June, were the second most-searched item on Google. 

The protests started peacefully over an extradition bill — which has now been shelved — but gradually turned violent and evolved into greater calls for democracy and freedom.

Entertainment and sports content was also popular, with Hollywood blockbusters Avengers: Endgame and Captain Marvel, as well as the Cricket World Cup (ICC World Cup) and tennis tournaments Wimbledon and the Australian Open taking up positions for the rest of the top 10 most-searched items among Singaporeans. 

For news specific to Singapore, what grabbed the attention of online users was Monica Baey and her efforts to seek justice against and protection from peeping toms who film people showering in varsity residential halls. 

Ms Baey, 23, sparked a national debate on the issue of voyeurism and sexual harassment when she took to Instagram in April to say that fellow student Nicholas Lim had been issued only a conditional warning from the police and a one-semester suspension from the university after filming her in the shower at Eusoff Hall in the National University of Singapore last November.

The matter was talked about in Parliament, and universities here had to review their security and disciplinary protocols following the case. Other similar violations and offences kept cropping up throughout the year and received constant media coverage, further fuelling interest on the issue.

When it came to Singaporeans’ favourite activities, shopping still reigns. The opening of malls such as Jewel Changi Airport in April and Funan Mall in June were in the top 10 searches under the category of Singapore news.

Earlier in the year, during the Chinese New Year period, Singaporeans looked to the lottery in the hopes of getting a windfall. The S$12 million Toto Hong Bao Draw by Singapore Pools was the third most-searched item for Singapore news. 

And when it came to the top trending internet lingo, “I love you 3000” was the winner. This is tied to the Avengers: Endgame and the Marvel comic-book and movie fans who started using the line from the movie.

It came from the scene where Iron Man, alias Tony Stark, tucked his daughter into bed and told her he loved her “tons” and she replied, "I love you 3000". 

Fans considered it one of the movie’s best moments and also wildly speculated online if there were hidden messages behind the use of “3000”. In the end, it was just actor Robert Downey Jr adding the line to the script because it was said by one of his children in real life.

Aww. Now you may go search for things you never knew people in Singapore were searching.  

Top 10 trending searches
Singapore haze
Hong Kong Protests
Avengers: Endgame
Captain Marvel
iPhone 11
ICC World Cup 2019
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Wimbledon 2019
Joker
Australian Open

Top 10 trending Singapore news
Singapore haze
Jewel Changi Airport
Toto $12 million Hong Bao Draw
Funan Mall
Monica Baey
Tracy Lee
Marquee Singapore
Star Search 2019
Shake Shack Singapore
Singapore Budget 2019

Top 10 trending international news
Hong Kong protests
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Momo
Area 51
Notre Dame
Brexit
Christchurch shooting
Sri Lanka Easter bombings
Typhoon Hagibis
India election result

Top 10 trending movies
Avengers: Endgame
Captain Marvel
Joker
Aladdin
Weathering With You (天気の子)
Toy Story 4
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Aquaman
Pokemon Detective Pikachu
Bird Box

Top 10 trending internet lingo
i love you 3000
vsco girl
fomo
ok boomer
ttyl
oof
lmk
yp
uwu
savage