Michael Jackson tops Yahoo search poll

by Sara Kimberley, mediaweek.co.uk 01-Dec-09, 11:15

LONDON - Michael Jackson has overtaken Britney Spears for the first time in four years, to become the number one most-searched topic on Yahoo in 2009.

Yahoo's 2009 Year in Review highlights the top searches and trends on the search engine, to identify the ways consumers use the web to find information and breaking news.

The review, which monitors billions of searches, showed popular vampire series Twilight took second spot as the most- searched-for term behind Jackson.

Jackson's death, along with World Wrestling Entertainment, rising actress Megan Fox and Twilight, broke many records on Yahoo, while the singer's memorial service was the most- streamed video event in Yahoo history, with five million streams.

The popularity of Twilight hit an all-time high this year, with consumers searching for every Twilight book, DVD, soundtrack release and piece of cast gossip.

As the recession entered its second year, the top three economy-related searches included "coupons", "unemployment" and "stimulus plan", with consumers looking to the web for new jobs, unemployment benefits and cost savings.