The king of search, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), has just released its annual list of the top-searched terms for 2012.
The search company has compiled more than 800 lists from 55 countries, TechCrunch reports. Heading the overall list this year was “Whitney Houston.” The singer’s financial problems, followed by her death in early 2012, followed by the questions surrounding her estate, made her the most popular search for 2012.
Other entertainers made the list this year with both PSY’s “Gangnam Style” in second place and “Michael Clarke Duncan” — also drawing interest because of his death — in ninth.
Here are the top 10 Google searches of 2012:
- Whitney Houston
- Gangnam Style
- Hurricane Sandy
- iPad 3
- Diablo 3
- Kate Middleton
- Olympics 2012
- Amanda Todd
- Michael Clarke Duncan
- BBB12
Google’s list this year features an interactive map. The map allows users to explore how the top searches changed by region and over time. Users can also see how specific searches were popular around the world.
