Jacko, swine flu and Lady Gaga top Google search list

WHAT have Michael Jackson, swine flu and Lady Gaga got in common? They are all top of the search list in an internet survey by search engine Google.

Google’s just-published Zeitgeist 2009 survey, based on the examination of billions of queries that people around the world typed into its search box for the past year, found the fastest rising search terms on a global level were 1. Michael Jackson; 2. Facebook; 3. Tuenti; 4. Twitter; 5. Sanalika; 6. New Moon and 7. Lady Gaga.

In at number eight on the top 10 was Windows 7, followed by dantri.com.vn and at 10, torpedo gratis.

Swine flu was one of the commonest search terms and images of Lady Gaga were also in demand.

“In Ireland it turns out we’re a sociable bunch with social networking sites including Facebook and Bebo dominating the top spots. However it’s the fastest rising searches that really give us an insight into what is preoccupying the public, and on Google News, Ireland was mainly concerned about the threat of swine flu and the death of celebrities,” said a Google spokesperson. The top 10 fastest rising Google News searches for Ireland were, in order: swine flu, Stephen Gately, Jade Goody, Michael Jackson, RTÉ news, Facebook, Cork floods, Limerick, Nicky Byrne and Olly Murs.

The fastest-rising Google images were Lady Gaga, Twilight, Michael Jackson, Cheryl Cole and Beyonce.