Google Taps Zeitgeist, Finds Palin a Winner

Every year, Google releases its analysis of the global zeitgeist based on billions of searches around the world. Newsweek reports the highlights:

• Sarah Palin: "Obama" was the most searched for term overall, but the Alaska governor grabbed the top spot on the fastest-rising list.
• Beijing 2008: The world was understandably electrified by the spectacle of the Olympics in China.

• Facebook login: #3 on the fastest-rising list; apparently, the world really wants to log in to Facebook.
• Tuenti, Nasza Klasa, and Wer Kennt Wen: Social-networking sites from Spain, Poland, and Germany gained on the global leader.
• Heath Ledger: News of the actor's untimely death sent searches for his name skyrocketing in 2008.
• The Jonas Brothers: 10th on the fastest-rising list, but hey, if only tweens used Google ...

For a complete list, and other analysis, click the links below.
(More Google Zeitgeist stories.)