Robin Williams, Flappy Bird, iPhone 6 Top Google's 2014 Search Trends

Robin Williams, Flappy Bird, iPhone 6 Top Google's 2014 Search Trends
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Robin Williams's death had people worldwide scouring the Internet for insights into the famed comic's life, making him the hottest search trend of the year on Google, the web giant said Tuesday.

"The passing of beloved comedian and actor Robin Williams shook the world, bringing many people online to search for more information and to remember, and putting Williams in the #1 spot on our global trends charts," said Google's vice president of search, Amit Singhal, in a blog post.

"There was even an uptick in searches related to depression tests and mental health in the days following his death."

(Also see: Google Year in Search 2014 Reveals India's Top Trends)

Williams, known for high-energy, rapid-fire improvisation and clowning, was found dead on August 11 at his home in Marin County, north of San Francisco.

He hanged himself, according to coroners.

There were signs that the 63-year-old comic actor who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease had tried to cut his left wrist, according to an autopsy report.

Williams, an Oscar-winner and veteran of movies, stand-up shows and hit television series, was one of Hollywood's most popular entertainers and his death triggered an outpouring of emotion the world over.

World Cup, Ebola top searches
World Cup fever was the second hottest search trend at Google.

"The World Cup in Brazil had its fair share of unforgettable moments and had everyone glued to their TVs and mobile devices all summer," Google said.

"From Luis Suarez's bite heard around the world, to Tim Howard's superman performance vs. Belgium, to Germany's incredible run to their fourth title, the competition certainly lived up to its reputation and topped the charts."

The deadly Ebola virus and tragedy-struck Malaysia Airlines were the third and fourth fierce search topics, respectively, followed by the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge" fad of dousing oneself in icy water to raise money to battle Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The remainder of the Top 10 search trends for this year were mobile game Flappy Bird, drag queen performer Conchita Wurst, the Islamic State group, hit animated film "Frozen" and the Sochi Olympics.

"It was a year in which we were struck by the death of a beloved comedian, and watched news unfold about a horrific plane crash and a terrifying disease," Singhal said.

"We were captivated by sporting events, and had our fun with birds, a bucket of ice and a frozen princess."

Apple's new iPhone 6 (Review | Pictures) was the top consumer electronics gadget search trend, while "Hunger Games" film star Jennifer Lawrence was the top query trend focused on a person, according to Google.

Nude photos of the Oscar-winning actress and a trove of other stars were hacked and posted online in September, and several threatened to sue Google for failing to take down the leaks.

Google Trends - Searches, 2014, Global

  1. Robin Williams
  2. World Cup
  3. Ebola
  4. Malaysia Airlines
  5. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
  6. Flappy Bird
  7. Conchita Wurst
  8. ISIS
  9. Frozen
  10. Sochi Olympics

Google Trends - People, 2014, Global

  1. Jennifer Lawrence
  2. Kim Kardashian
  3. Julie Gayet
  4. Tracy Morgan
  5. Renee Zellweger
  6. Jared Leto
  7. Lorde
  8. Matthew McConaughey
  9. Amal Alamuddin
  10. Donald Sterling

Google Trends - Athletes, 2014, Global

  1. James Rodriguez
  2. Michael Schumacher
  3. Ray Rice
  4. Luis Suarez
  5. Neymar da Silva Santos
  6. Mario Gotze
  7. Jules Bianchi
  8. Francisco Guillermo Ochoa Magana
  9. Michael Phelps
  10. Richard Sherman

Google Trends - Consumer Electronics, 2014, Global

  1. iPhone 6
  2. Samsung Galaxy S5
  3. Nexus 6
  4. Moto G
  5. Samsung Note 4
  6. LG G3
  7. Xbox One
  8. Apple Watch
  9. Nokia X
  10. iPad Air

Google Trends - Global News, 2014, Global

  1. Ebola
  2. ISIS
  3. Malaysia Airlines
  4. Crimea / Ukraine
  5. Ferguson
  6. Gaza and Israel
  7. Scotish Referendum
  8. Oscar Pistorius trial

Google Trends - Google Doodles of 2014, Global

  1. World Cup 2014 - Watching the game while the boss is away
  2. 2014 Winter Olympics
  3. Rubik's Cube
  4. Philae Robotic Lander
  5. Nelson Mandela
  6. International Women's Day 2014
  7. Audrey Hepburn
  8. Berlin Wall
  9. Leo Tolstoy
  10. Halloween 2014

Google Trends - Loss, 2014

  1. Robin Williams
  2. Philip Seymour Hoffman
  3. Peaches Geldof
  4. Shirley Temple
  5. Maya Angelou
  6. Joan Rivers
  7. Gabriel Garcia Marquez
  8. Lauren Bacall
  9. James Avery
  10. Harold Ramis

Google Trends - World Cup Matches, 2014

  1. Brazil vs Germany
  2. Germany vs Argentina
  3. Brazil vs Chile
  4. Argentina vs Belgium
  5. Brazil vs Croatia
  6. Brazil vs Netherlands
  7. Netherlands vs Mexico
  8. Germany vs Portugal
  9. Brazil vs Mexico
  10. USA vs Germany

Google Trends - YouTube Videos, 2014

  1. Mutant Giant Spider Dog (SA Wardega)
  2. Nike Football: Winner Stays. ft. Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Iniesta & more
  3. FIRST KISS
  4. The Voice IT | Serie 2 | Blind 2 | Suor Cristina Scuccia - #TEAMJ-AX
  5. iPhone 6 Plus Bend Test
  6. Bars & Melody - Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act | Britain's Got Talent 2014
  7. Budweiser Super Bowl XLVIII Commercial - "Puppy Love"
  8. Devil Baby Attack
  9. Goku vs Superman. Epic Rap Battles of History Season 3.
  10. 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman

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