How did Washington Google in 2013? Mostly like everybody else, according to the search giant’s year-end “Zeitgeist” list of the most popular seaches executed by its users in DC.
Just like the rest of the United States, Google’s DC users are celebrity- and event-obsessed, hooked on information about new electronic devices, and more than a little curious about twerking. The dance manuever in which one bends at a right angle thrusts one’s hips backward into something—a wall, thin air, Robin Thicke’s trousers—topped Google’s “what is” list and also appeared on the more practical list of “how to” searches.
After twerking, Washingtonians were most curious about ricin, hopefully a harmless credit to the finale of Breaking Bad, in which Walter White offs one of his enemies with the poisonous substance. Google users here also wanted to be educated about Obamacare, Easter, and even hummus.
Nelson Mandela and Paul Walker led Google’s list of top searches around the world, but the late South African leader did not even crack any of the DC-focus lists. Walker, the star of the Fast and Furious movie series was the fifth-most searched person for Washington users. Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots tight end now facing murder charges, led that list, followed by the rapper Lil’ Wayne, the late Glee actor Cory Monteith, and show-trial murder convict Jodi Arias. (Quick, someone remind us: Did Weezy do anything in 2013 besides release a lousy album?)
Google’s lists actually do contain bit of genuine local. The government shutdown was the second-most popular event and news story, trailing only the Boston Marathon. The Navy Yard shooting and sequestration also loomed large. But Washington’s sports teams aren’t so hot on Google. No local teams cracked the top 10, though the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and Pittsburgh Penguins did. Perhaps things with the Nationals, Wizards, Capitals, DC United, and Redskins got so bleak this year, we just stopped searching out of sadness.
Top trending searches
Boston Marathon
Aaron Hernandez
iPhone 5s
Lil Wayne
Cory Monteith
Jodi Arias
Government Shutdown
Paul Walker
North Korea
Royal baby
Top trending events
Boston Marathon
Government shutdown
Memorial day 2013
Super Bowl 2013
Inauguration
Thanksgiving 2013
Labor Day 2013
Oklahoma tornado
Oscars 2013
Cherry blossom 2013
Top trending politics/news
Boston Marathon
Government shutdown
North Korea
Navy Yard shooting
Zimmerman trial
Inauguration
DOMA
Sequestration
Pope
Miley Cyrus VMAs
Top trending people
Aaron Hernandez
Lil Wayne
Cory Monteith
Jodi Arias
Paul Walker
Royal baby
Paula Deen
Kate Middleton
Trayvon Martin
Amanda Bynes
Top Zagat searches
Jaleo
Clyde’s
Hank’s Oyster Bar
Chef Geoff
Black Salt
J. Gilbert’s
Lincoln
Taylor Gourmet
Inn at Little Washington
Bistro Bistro
Top trending “What is” searches
What is twerking?
What is ricin?
What is path?
What is sequestration?
What is DOMA?
What is Obamacare?
What is CISPA?
What is Easter?
What is Bitcoin?
What is hummus?
Top trending “How to” searches
How to screenshot
How to wop
How to flirt
How to footnote
How to pray
How to paint
How to twerk
How to rap
How to run
How to relax
Top trending technology
iPhone 5s
iOS 7
iPhone 5c
Galaxy s4
Xbox One
iPhone 6
Playstation 4
HTC One
Nexus 5
Vine
Top trending films
Iron Man 3
Man of Steel
Sharknado
World War Z
The Conjuring
The Purge
Zero Dark Thirty
Fruitvale Station
Pacific Rim
Spring Breakers
Top trending sport
Mayweather vs Canelo
Red Sox
NFL Draft 2013
Masters 2013
Wimbledon 2013
NBA Draft 2013
Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins
World Baseball Classic
March Madness 2013
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Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Google’s Top Searches From Washington Include Government Shutdown, Paul Walker, Hummus
The way we Google now also includes a lot of twerking, of course.
How did Washington Google in 2013? Mostly like everybody else, according to the search giant’s year-end “Zeitgeist” list of the most popular seaches executed by its users in DC.
Just like the rest of the United States, Google’s DC users are celebrity- and event-obsessed, hooked on information about new electronic devices, and more than a little curious about twerking. The dance manuever in which one bends at a right angle thrusts one’s hips backward into something—a wall, thin air, Robin Thicke’s trousers—topped Google’s “what is” list and also appeared on the more practical list of “how to” searches.
After twerking, Washingtonians were most curious about ricin, hopefully a harmless credit to the finale of Breaking Bad, in which Walter White offs one of his enemies with the poisonous substance. Google users here also wanted to be educated about Obamacare, Easter, and even hummus.
Nelson Mandela and Paul Walker led Google’s list of top searches around the world, but the late South African leader did not even crack any of the DC-focus lists. Walker, the star of the Fast and Furious movie series was the fifth-most searched person for Washington users. Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots tight end now facing murder charges, led that list, followed by the rapper Lil’ Wayne, the late Glee actor Cory Monteith, and show-trial murder convict Jodi Arias. (Quick, someone remind us: Did Weezy do anything in 2013 besides release a lousy album?)
Google’s lists actually do contain bit of genuine local. The government shutdown was the second-most popular event and news story, trailing only the Boston Marathon. The Navy Yard shooting and sequestration also loomed large. But Washington’s sports teams aren’t so hot on Google. No local teams cracked the top 10, though the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and Pittsburgh Penguins did. Perhaps things with the Nationals, Wizards, Capitals, DC United, and Redskins got so bleak this year, we just stopped searching out of sadness.
Top trending searches
Top trending events
Top trending politics/news
Top trending people
Top Zagat searches
Top trending “What is” searches
Top trending “How to” searches
Top trending technology
Top trending films
Top trending sport
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
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