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Gangnam Style, Lara Bingle, ‘How to Squat’: Top Googles’ 2012

 
   
 

Korean pop sensation Psy’s Gangnam Style was top trending search on Google for 2012, pipping The Voice to No. 2.

The London Olympics, Oz Lotto $100M jackpot and Kony also made into the top 10 most Googled, according to the search engine’s annual Zeitgeist on what captivated Aussies in 2012.

One the celeb front, the lovely Lara Bingle was Australia’s top searched celebrity – beating Miranda Kerr, while  Kate Middleton, Liam Hemsworth and the deceased Health Ledger were also the most Googled celebs.

2012 was also the year for Australians asking existential questions, with ‘how to love’, ‘how to change’, ‘how to bulk’ and ‘how to squat’ all top Googles.

Aussies were also curious to know ‘What is permeate’, ‘YOLO’ and ‘SOPA.’

Big news searches included Julian Assange, and the Diamond Jubilee, Hurricane Sandy, Melbourne Earthquake, and NASA Curiosity’s progress on Mars.

And needless to say, tweenyboppers One Direction top Australia’s Google Image searches, but Bieber-fever also influenced searches with Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber also topping the list.

  Lance Armstrong’s drug scandal, and Oympians Usain Bolt, Stephanie Rice, Sally Pearson and Bernard Tomic, all placed on Google most searched for athletes.

“Google is often the first place Australians turn to follow their favourite people, settle debates with friends and learn more about the latest news,” said Google spokesperson Shane Treeves.

“The year-end Zeitgeist is a cultural barometer that gives us a real snapshot of the big events, memorable moments and growing trends in Australia for 2012.”