Google Zeitgeist 2008 136
bahstid writes "As the year comes to a close, it's time to look at the big events, memorable moments and emerging trends that captivated us in 2008. As it happens, studying the aggregation of the billions of search queries that people type into the Google search box gives us a glimpse into the zeitgeist — the spirit of the times. While the global aggregated results are what one might expect, the breakdown by country is filled with 'hotmail,' 'yahoo' and 'facebook,' indicating that in 2008 your average user still hasn't quite grasped this address bar thing."
This year's focus on the US presidential election and the economic crisis made for some interesting trends. It also seems that many Americans frequently checked their Facebook profile while watching American Idol and wondering who Sarah Palin was.
Re:to be fair (Score:2, Informative)
Re:to be fair (Score:1, Informative)
Yeah, same. Also, it's often easier to add the "wikipedia" to a google search query than to actually search wikipedia.
And in 2008... (Score:2, Informative)
...the submitter still hasn't grasped the "I'm feeling lucky" feature in the browser. Typing facebook in the adressbar in Firefox will use Googles "I'm feeling lucky" thing and take you facebook.com
Duh!
Re:fast risers (Score:3, Informative)
They are all social networking sites. Spanish (tuenti - no translation available from Google), German (Wer-kennt-wen = who knows whom), and Polish(nasza klasa = Our class).
Apparently even foreigners use Google to find Facebook-y, MySpace-y, time-waste-y websites! Whodathunkit?
Re:Can't figure out the address bar? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:to be fair (Score:2, Informative)
The hotmail one makes sense. (Score:1, Informative)
When I type hotmail into the address bar, it didn't used to take me to the login screen. I always go to google, type in hotmail, and click on it there - then it auto logs in and takes me to my inbox. Much quicker than navigating to it the "proper" way.
Re:Can't figure out the address bar? (Score:4, Informative)
Or just use the arrows to select the entry and hit delete.
br/
Re:to be fair (Score:4, Informative)
Firefox does this by... Googling what you typed into the address bar.
Re:Why...? (Score:1, Informative)
Re:to be fair (Score:3, Informative)
Sadly my boss still types full site urls into the text input box on google... trying to convince him to use the address bar has repeatedly failed.
I do the opposite for the mother in law. I don't want her typing in yahooo.com by mistake and getting malware. Google generally won't lead you that far astray.