Here is the full list of the top 30 most searched-for spellings in South Africa.
New data has shed light on the words that trip up South Africans the most. A comprehensive analysis of Google search data for 2026, conducted by the experts at Unscramblerer.com reveals the top 30 words that have people turning to the internet for help with their spelling. Between January 1 and June 8, 2026, researchers analysed search queries related to "How do you spell" and "How to spell" to identify common linguistic hurdles across the country.
The data highlights a range of vocabulary challenges, from British spellings to French loanwords and tricky suffixes. Here is the full list of the top 30 most searched-for spellings in South Africa:
The study also revealed regional differences in spelling difficulties across South Africa:
The list is a testament to the irregularity of the English language.
