Facebook tops Google searches

Facebook was the most searched for term on Google among Irish internet users in 2010, according to the search engine.

Publishing its annual Zeitgeist - a look at the most popular searches of the year - Google said Chatroulette, a website that randomly connects internet users with each other via webcams, topped the fastest rising searches both in Ireland and globally.

The popular television series Glee, also ranked highly in the fastest rising search category as did Ryanair and the World Cup.

After Facebook, the most popular search terms on Google from Irish internet users were Youtube, Hotmail and Bebo.

Cee Lo Green, whose F*** You song won plaudits around the world, leading to the release of a cleaned up version of the track Forget You, was the fastest rising musical term searched for by Irish internet users.

Other popular music-related search references included the Eurovision and its Irish representative Niamh Kavanagh, Eminem, Justin Bieber and a number of music festivals including V and Oxegen.

The unexpected death of radio DJ Gerry Ryan in April led thousands of internet users to look online for information about him, making his name the most popular search term among people. Footballer Wayne Rooney, X-Factor starts Jedward, Katy Perry, Michael Buble, Cheryl Cole, Miley Cyrus and Paolo Nutini also ranked highly.

In terms of sport, Fifa 11, the Galway Races, the Grand National, the Aviva Stadium, and the Ryder Cup were among the most popular search references among Irish users.

Internationally, it may have been Chatroulette which drew internet users to Google, but the launch of Apple's iPad, and the growing popularity of Twitter, also featured.

Last year, Swine flu was the fastest rising term on Google while the high-profile deaths of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately and Michael Jackson also featured hightly.