What were the biggest searches of 2009?
09:34 03 December 2009
A new list has revealed our search engine habits from over the lat year.
Popstar Lady Gaga landed in the top five of the charts – however it wasn't not for her music but the number questions about her identity as the report reveals internet users wanted to know if she is really a man.
The flamboyant singerÂ’s habit of constantly wearing dark sunglasses and wacky outfits sparked internet rumours that she may in fact be a male, earning her a place as No 3 for one of the 'questions of the yearÂ’ by internet search engine Ask Jeeves.
The list compiled from over 20 million queries on the search engine a month, gives a real insight into what was on the minds of internet users over the year.
Topping the list of rising searches for 2009 was "What is Twitter?" and at No 2 was the concern for our health with many people asking "Have I got swine flu?" as the pandemic swept the country.
Another common search was "Who is Aleksandr Orlov?", which was the fourth most asked new question, thanks to a successful marketing campaign from comparison website Comparethemarket.com which launched the animated Russian meerkat in TV adverts.
His catchphrase "Simples" has become a favourite among TV viewers and led to scores of queries from internet users.
Another hot topic was the economic climate as users asked "When will the recession end?", placing it in the top 10 rising searches, coupled with "Where is my nearest Primark?" for those on a budget.
Conspiracy theorists and die-hard fans who refused to believe it was true put "Is Michael Jackson dead?" at No 5, after they were searching for the truth afte the Prince of Pop's sudden demise in June.
Following the death of Jade Goody earlierin the year in March, the tenth spot is taken by the rising popularity of questions about cervical cancer.
Nadia Kelly, spokesperson for Ask Jeeves, said: "Last year the identity of the Stig from Top Gear was on everyone's minds.
"This year we have had a wide variety of unusual searches. It proves that more people than ever are turning to internet search engines for answers to not only everyday things, but weird and wacky subjects too."
Ask Jeeves' fastest rising searches of 2009:
- What is Twitter?
- Have I got swine flu?
- Is Lady Gaga a man?
- Who is Aleksandr Orlov? Have I got Ha
- Is Michael Jackson dead?
- Where is my nearest Primark?
- Who is the father of HeatherÂ’s baby in EastEnders?
- What is the Lisbon Treaty?
- When will the recession end?
- What is cervical cancer?