2025 Google trends: South Africans turn to Temu, tech and SASSA queries

Google has released South Africa’s top search trends for 2025, with an unexpected leader - Temu.

The Chinese online marketplace has rapidly infiltrated local shopping habits. 

"I'm thinking of giving it a go," says Primedia's Digital Content Editor, Barbara Friedman.

The platform was the country’s most-searched term, surpassing even major political and tech-related queries. 

Here's the list of Mzansi's top 10 searches: 

1. Temu
2. General Mkhwanazi
3. Earth Day
4. Chat GPT free
5. Google Gemini
6. Unisa Registration
7. iPhone 17 Pro Max
8. Hangwani Maumela
9. Flysafair R11 tickets
10. Shaka iLembe Season 2

Friedman noted that Google’s "How To" category offered an even sharper glimpse into daily life: South Africans most often searched how to vote on Big Brother, how to log into Hollywood Bets, and how to apply to SAPS online. 

She adds that one of the most consistently searched queries of the year was "when is my SASSA payment?", underscoring widespread dependence on social grants. 

And, in a classic, uniquely South African twist, one of the year’s top DIY searches was how to make pickled fish.

To listen to Barbara Friedman in conversation with CapeTalk's Clarence Ford, click the audio below [skip to 6:04]