HAVANA, Cuba. – Google searches not only reflect individual interests, but also map the needs, concerns and priorities of a society. In Cuba, where the population has limited access to the internet and faces a serious economic crisis, Google trends reveal much more than simple curiosities.
As is the case in much of the world, adult content tops the list of the five most searched topics. Meanwhile, in second place appears “la bolita”, a popular game of chance that shows the importance of this activity in daily life.
Other notable terms include “remedies against diseases”, “soccer” and “El Toque”, a digital medium that provides information on the exchange rate of the dollar in the informal market. This last topic had significant spikes in interest between April and September, probably due to economic instability and the need for Cubans to stay up to date on exchange rates.
In terms of technology, according to searches, Android is the most popular operating system, followed by Windows. There is also interest in systems such as Linux, iOS and macOS, although these occupy lower positions.
Regarding smartphone brands, Samsung leads the searches, closely followed by iPhone. Xiaomi, the Chinese brand, is positioned in third place, while Huawei and Motorola complete the ranking.
Competition between payment platforms Transfermobile and InZona is another point of interest. Transfermóvil is clearly more popular, probably due to having been the pioneering digital commerce application in Cuba and due to its ability to function without an internet connection, a crucial advantage in a country where network blackouts have been frequent in 2024.
EnZona, although useful, depends on the internet connection, which limits its use in situations of general disconnection. These platforms, the only ones of their kind allowed on the Island, are essential as they allow payments and transfers to be made.
