Google Releases Top Searched Terms For 2012, Whitney Houston Takes Top Spot

Michael Harper for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online

The Holiday season is upon us, a time for contemplation, reflection and tradition. As such, this is also the time of year when many feel fit to make lists; The best, the worst, the highest, the lowest, the prettiest and the ugliest. Many of these lists are based purely on opinions and the thoughts of experts or those who aspire to be. Other lists are basic facts, such as a list of things which occurred in the previous year.

Then there are lists which take a very distant and cursory look at humanity. The data is there, accounted for and correct, yet the sheer size of the global population makes it hard to expect too much from these lists.

Google has created such a list based on the searches from the entire planet. It’s not a bad way to compose a list, really: Humans search for things in which they have a general interest. Therefore, a list of these searches can reveal what the world, or at least a majority of it, had on our minds.

Apparently, the world had Whitney Houston on its mind…and Gangnam style.

Each year, Google rolls out its “Zeitgeist” list, displaying the year in review as it pertains to Internet search.

When taking a broad look at those searches which topped the Zeitgeist list, it would appear is if humanity is quite concerned with artists, minor celebrities and consumer electronics.

For instance, Whitney Houston won top honors as the most searched for term of 2012, according to Google’s list. She also tops the list in the “People” category and the “Performing Artist” category.

Other frequently Googled names include Houston Rockets Point Guard Jeremy Lin and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

Jeremy Lin rose to a sort of superstardom earlier this year when he led the New York Knicks on a winning streak the likes of which they hadn’t seen in some time. Kate Middleton married Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge last summer. However, she rose to the top of Internet searches this year after some photos of a topless Duchess were released by a French tabloid. More recently, Prince William and Kate announced that they’re expecting a child.

Apple also scored very high on these lists, taking spots in the “Images” and “Consumer Electronics” categories. The iPhone 5 scored number 3 in top Images searched, just behind teen sensations One Direction and Selena Gomez. Internet users also asked Google to show them pictures of Megan Fox, Rihanna, Justin Beiber and, coming in at number 10, Katy Perry. Apple’s iPad also had a strong showing in the Consumer Electronics category. The iPad 3 scored number one out of 10, with the iPad mini coming in at number 3 and Apple’s little surprise, the iPad 4, coming in at number 7. Apple’s Frenemies, Samsung, scored spots 2 and 5 with the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note 2, respectively.

Brazil, as it turns out, was able to sway the list of trending TV topics with Big Brother Brazil (more affectionately known as BBB12) earning the top spot. Avenida Brasil came in at number 2, followed by the ever controversial “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.”

One great aspect of Google is the ability to learn how to do a number of things, from building a chair, tying a bow tie and even baking potatoes.

Of all the things humans could ever want to learn during the past year, the number one “How To” Google search was “How to Love.”

Though it might not be a coincidence, “How to Rock” earned second place in this category. Those less inclined to love and rock searched for “How to hate,” with this query coming in at number 5.

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