As the go-to place for finding anything on the Web, Google has unique insight into the spirit of the times. The trending Google searches of the year are a glimpse into what’s on our minds. For the past 10 years, it has published a year-end Zeitgeist report on the major search trends around the world. Zeitgeist 2011 was released today.
It was a weird year. Perhaps it’s not surprising that, of all the grim and tumultuous events that transpired this year, the top Google searches were mostly frivolous. The number one trending search was Rebecca Black. But this year’s Zeitgeist site is dynamic, detailed and easy to explore. Drilling down by region reveals some timely insights into what interested the wired world in 2011.
Google’s own social network, Google+, was the number two trending search. Two Apple gadgets, iPhone 5 and iPad 2, made the top 10, and one of those doesn’t even exist. Right next to the iPad is, of course, Steve Jobs. The only serious news on the list – unless you count Casey Anthony – is the Japanese energy company Tepco, operator of the Fukushima I power plant, which caused a nuclear disaster this year after a massive earthquake.
This year’s Zeitgeist report offers amazing depth, visualizing the data and allowing users to compare searches with one another and over time. In addition to the fastest rising searches, it shows the fastest falling, as well as the trending searches by category, including Google Maps and Google News. You can also browse by various countries and regions. Visit googlezeitgeist.com/en to explore.
You can read Google Fellow Amit Singhal’s impressions of the Zeitgeist on the Google blog.
Did you use the Web for anything major this year? Share your experiences in the comments.
