What Canadians Searched for the Most Online in 2012
Today, Yahoo Canada unveiled its 8th annual Year in Review, revealing the stories, events and individuals that captured the nation’s attention this year.
Kate Middleton is the most searched item of the year, followed by the iPhone 5. The Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon also captured our attention, along with the infamous Honey Boo Boo.
“Yahoo! Canada’s Year in Review 2012 reflects the daily search habits of users and highlights the top stories and trends based on what millions of people worldwide searched for,” says Justine Melman at Yahoo. “It is a distinct way to portray a society in motion through online behavior.”
Below are Yahoo! Canada’s Top 10 Searches in 2012:
1. Kate Middleton
2. iPhone 5
3. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson
4. Fifty Shades of Grey
5. Higgs Boson
6. Hurricane Sandy
7. Jessica Simpson
8. Jessica Pare
9. Scientology
10. Miss Universe Canada Jenna Talackova
The top news story was a tech one: the Facebook IPO. In third was Research In Motion's "downfall." Others included the Curiosity Rover Mars project and the XL Food beef recall.
The top 10 obsessions included multiple YouTube viral sensations. Psy's "Gangname Styke" topped the list, with Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" ranking fifth. Other "obsessions" included Kim Kardashian, Paulina Gretzky, and Taylor Swift.
Interestingly, the NHL lockout ranked only sixth on Yahoo's list of top 10 sports stories in Canada. It trailed Lance Armstrong's doping scandal and Euro 2012, among other events.
