15 December 2011

Google releases Zeitgeist

The world is obsessed with Rebecca Black, Google + and tragic daredevils - according to this year's global search activity.

Google has released its 11th annual Zeitgeist report on the year's fastest rising global queries, sharing a list of 'hot topics' that dominated the minds of users worldwide.

Topping the list of 'fastest rising' global search terms was web celebrity and singing teen sensation Rebecca Black, followed closely by social networking newcomer Google +, daredevil and reality star Ryan Dunn, controversially acquitted mother Casey Anthony, and first person shooter game Battlefield 3 - each respectively in the top five spots of the global Top Ten.

As usual, cultural trends, fads and famous people dominated the global search lists, including queries about cupcakes, future "i" devices - iPad 3 and iPhone 5 for example - celebrity families, and high-profile weddings.

However, the year's global events from revolutions to natural disasters also influenced people's googling habits.

Google Fellow Amit Singal wrote on the Google blog: "Google was used for much more than staying up to date on the sisters Middleton and Kardashian.

"From local celebrities in Finland to Singaporeans looking for news on the revolutions in Egypt and Libya half a world away, people turned to Google to learn more about what was happening on the world stage.

"It wasn't just the man-made moments that topped the charts this year, but also the natural disasters that literally shook the world, from Hurricane Irene in the U.S. to earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan."

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