Google 2004 Zeitgeist

Based on billions of searches conducted by Google users around the world, it could be argued that Google’s 2004 Year-End Zeitgeist offers a quantifiable indicator of the year’s major events and trends.

The most popular guys, Orlando and Eminem, must look on in envy as they see that Britney and Paris are not only the most poplar girls but also the most popular subjects in the world this year.

As if they care but the French came top in the Country search queries in 2004, above China then India then Iraq. Maybe the French popularity was bolstered by the fact that Tour De France was the second Most Popular Sports query. The bike ride was trumped only by footballer David Beckham - his popularity driven, PSFK guesses, by the sport he plays on and off the field.

On a sadder note (and perhaps showing our caring side over celebrity obsession) slain businessman Nicholas Berg out queried Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando. We hopes there weren’t darker reasons…

Meanwhile, the Zeitgeist shows signs that illegal file sharing and downloading isn’t dissipating: Kazaa came second in the ‘Popular Tech Stuff’ results and ‘mp3′ came third. Tut tut.

Maybe it’s the influence of the most popular women but by the look at the mentions in the Top 10 Clothing queries, girls aren’t planning to wear much these days: Bikinis, Mini Skirts, Lingerie, Little Black Dresses. But they are planning to stick some fat Ugg Boots on their feet for modesty (Most Popular Shoe Brands). We’re not too sure the guys will notice - the Top Hobby queries for poker chips and airsoft guns could show they are distracted. Then again, budget hotels like the Holiday Inn rank high in Top Hotel Chains - but maybe everyone’s just going round for a spa (Most Popular Entertainment) to recover from all that pizza (Most Popular Cuisine).

Overall the searches seem to indicate a young, female, informed and franetic audience who just want to have their fun with their toys. What a nice change from what the we expected the audience to be.

Google 2004 Zeitgeist
Interactive Version