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Google Zeitgeist 2008

Posted by Soulskill on from the who-googles-the-googlers dept.

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.

7 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. to be fair by PachmanP · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...sometimes it's easier to just go into google than to actually use the address bar. frist psot

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    1. Re:to be fair by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yes, and it's also easier to go to Google and type in 'putty' (5 characters) then 'www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html' (57 characters).

    2. Re:to be fair by jlarocco · · Score: 3, Insightful

      What the fuck? Your reading comprehension is terrible. How the hell do you confuse "I have a shortcut to Wikipedia" with "I think Wikipedia is an authoritative source and use it exclusively when looking for information"? Did I say it was the only search I use? You're just making shit up.

      It's so stupid I wouldn't even respond except some dimwit moderated your comment Insightful. WTF?

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      Maybe not
    3. Re:to be fair by Kenz0r · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I actually think this contributed to those statistics google released, possibly in a major way.
      I barely even bother with the www and the domain anymore.

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  2. Can't figure out the address bar? by orkybash · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Probably more a combination of not remembering the domain extension ("was that wikipedia.com or wikipedia.org?"), combined with getting an annoying squatter 90% of the time if you get it wrong. And yes, I'm aware that in the above example both of them get you to where you need to go

    1. Re:Can't figure out the address bar? by OverlordQ · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Gotta love UI features like this where it doesn't tell you about them.

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      Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
  3. Efficient use of built-in features isn't stupid by orbz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'd say nerds haven't grasped it, not average users. Now that you can leave www. and .com off your URLs, why wouldn't you? It saves time, provided it gets you to the right site - which most of these pseudoqueries will.

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