Google Australia reveals top searches for 2009

Telstra, Twitter and <i>Twilight</i> top the lists

Google’s most popular search terms offer an intriguing insight into the Australian zeitgeist with everything from Facebook to bushfires, Twitter to Twilight appearing in the top searches for 2009.

Twitter, Twilight and MasterChef were among Australia's fastest rising searches while Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Robert Pattinson and Susan Boyle came up trumps for celebrity search.

On the news front, Swine flu, the stimulus package and the Victorian bushfires dominated searches for news stories.

Although music bands dominated breakup searches, Telstra held its own, coming in second.

And unless you have been sleeping the day away in a coffin, it’s hard to miss the vampire phenomenon. Twilight-related searches, including New Moon, featured in the fastest rising searches of the year, the most searched for news stories, most popular celebrities and movies of the year for both Twilight and the new release, New Moon. Google reports New South Wales as the most Twilight-obsessed state, followed by Queensland and Tasmania.

Hamish and Andy are the most searched for Aussie celebs, beating out Miranda Kerr.

Network Ten’s immensely popular MasterChef series also made its mark; searches for particular recipes from the show soared following each episode especially for the infamous 'Croquembouche'.

Perhaps the strangest result, however, is Google’s own appearance at number six in the Most popular searches of 2009. Surely searching for ‘Google’ on Google is counterintuitive?

Google lists the most popular searches from across the world at google.com/zeitgeist2009.

Fastest rising searches of 2009

  • One HD
  • twitter.com
  • MasterChef
  • Melbourne Cup 2009
  • Grooveshark
  • New Moon Movie
  • Facebook search
  • Trading Post Auto
  • Smartkiddies
  • Currency converter calculator

Most popular searches of 2009

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Hotmail
  • eBay
  • MySpace
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Gmail
  • Bebo
  • Seek

Most searched for news stories of 2009

  • Swine Flu
  • Stimulus package
  • Flu
  • Bushfires
  • Bushfire
  • New Moon
  • Fires
  • Robert Pattinson
  • Michael Jackson
  • Rihanna

Most searched for celebrities of 2009

  • Michael Jackson
  • Lady Gaga
  • Robert Pattinson
  • Megan Fox
  • Taylor Swift
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Susan Boyle
  • Hamish and Andy
  • Miranda Kerr
  • Kirsten Stewart

Most searched deaths in 2009

  • Michael Jackson
  • Jeff Goldblum
  • Patrick Swayze
  • DJ AM
  • Kanye West
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Farrah Fawcett
  • Emma Watson
  • Sookie Stackhouse
  • Rick Astley

Most searched breakups of 2009

  • Oasis breakup
  • Telstra breakup
  • Beatles breakup
  • PussyCat Dolls breakup
  • Wolfmother breakup
  • John Mayer breakup
  • Abba breakup
  • Hugh Hefner breakup
  • Breakup of Gondwana land
  • Simon and Garfunkel breakup

Most searched for album of 2009

  • Eminem new album
  • Lady Gaga album
  • Muse new album
  • Taylor Swift album
  • White album
  • U2 new album
  • Michael Jackson album
  • The Script album
  • Lily Allen album
  • Beyonce new album

Most searched for movies of 2009

  • New Moon
  • Twilight
  • 2012
  • Hannah Montana
  • Star Trek
  • Eclipe
  • Avatar
  • Halo
  • District 9
  • Bruno

Most searched for Masterchef-related recipes

  • Croquembouche
  • Chocolate mousse cake
  • Chips
  • Risotto
  • Open Kofta
  • Lamb Shanks
  • Cupcakes
  • Chocolate fondant
  • Scone
  • Lemon tart

Most searched for country/city outside of Australia

  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Vietnam
  • India
  • Italy
  • Antartica
  • Dubai
  • Egypt
  • France
  • Phuket

Most searched for retail outlets

  • Harvey Norman
  • Big W
  • JB HiFi
  • Target
  • Ikea
  • Bunnings
  • Officeworks
  • Woolworths
  • KMart
  • Coles

Most popular sports for 2009

  • AFL
  • NRL
  • Cricket
  • Melbourne Cup
  • BMX
  • Greyhounds
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Swimming
  • Soccer

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