Top 10 Searches of 2012 from Google UK

Today Google UK has revealed the most popular searches of 2012, including everything and everyone from Olympic Tickets to Kate Middleton and the North Korean techno dance sensation Gagnam Style.

But whether this is ‘Exact Match’ or ‘Broad Match’ we can’t be sure.

Top 10 Google UK Searches 2012

1. Euro 2012
2. Olympic tickets
3. Whitney Houston
4. Kate Middleton
5. April Jones
6. Netflix
7. NatWest Online
8. iPad 3
9. Gary Barlow
10. Gangnam style

We all expected “Olympics” to top the chart, followed by “Gangnam Style”, but according to Google UK, “Euro 2012” was the biggest search term of the year, closely followed by “Olympic tickets” in second.

“Whitney Houston”, who died in February was the most searched for person, followed by “Kate Middleton”.

Other search trends demonstrate the popularity of “Netflix” and “Natwest Online” in the UK, followed by the legion of Apple fans eager to get their hands on the “iPad 3”.

X Factor has no doubt kept “Gary Barlow” in the search charts, just above the crazy dancing talents of K-Pop star PSY with the incredibly viral “Gangnam Style”.

Outside of the Top 10

The latest James Bond film “Skyfall” reflected its box-office success, as the top trending movie.

Sprinter Usain Bolt was the most searched for sports person, followed by Andy Murray, Tom Daley and Jessica Ennis.

Meanwhile, cyclist Victoria Pendleton was the most searched-for reality TV star, following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.

And Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt beat London Mayor Boris Johnson to the top politician’s spot.

Changing Search Trends

Some of the most interesting results are revealed in Google’s more esoteric searches.

Topping the “what is” poll was “love”, followed by “iCloud” and “3G”.

Meanwhile, the “how to” list revealed the growing trend of reigniting old skills with “knit” and “crochet” making the top 10, alongside “draw”, “kiss” and “hack”.