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2011 searches dominated by derrieres and disasters

Yahoo7 have released its annual top searches list for 2011 revealing some curious search habits of Australians.

The beginning of the year was dominated by natural disasters. Top of the list was the Queensland disasters, both the devastating floods that hit south Queensland and Cyclone Yasi striking the north made these terms the most popular for 2011.

The horrendous 7.1 magnitude Christchurch earthquake was the third most popular search topic followed by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March at number five.

Despite the awful start to the year, it wasn’t all gloom and doom. The Royal Wedding at the end of April picked everyone up and was the second most popular search term in 2011. Interestingly, it was Kate’s sister Pippa and her beautiful bottom that garnered the majority of searches. Pippa related searches were so popular that she was still trending two months later.

It seems Aussies loves their curvy women: full figured Mad Men star Christina Hendricks was the 6th most popular search term for 2011 thanks to her Emmy nomination and her blazing red hair and curves. The captivating Scarlett Johansson has long been a favourite but this year burst into fourth most popular search thanks to her divorce from Ryan Reynolds and the hacking scandal that saw nude photos hit the internet.

It wasn’t just celebrity successes that was trending in 2011. Searches for Amy Winehouse peaked in August when she was found dead in her London home. Interest continued for weeks into the cause of her death until finally it was revealed the troubled star died from alcohol poisoning.

Also in London in August were the contentious London riots. What started as a peaceful protest in response to a fatal shooting quickly turned ugly. The city was besieged by violence, looting and rioting for many nights until finally law and order was restored.

Sport related terms are always popular, and although the Queensland weather events knocked the Australian Open from its perch as top search in January, football related terms were seventh most popular in 2011. In Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia it was all about the AFL and of course New South Welshmen and Queenslanders were more interested in the NRL. The country reunited in October, however, as we followed the Wallabies in their quest for Rugby World Cup glory.

One of the most bizarre internet searches to land in the top 10 was planking at number nine. Although it was an activity that was little more than lying motionless across objects, it swept the world in May to the condemnation of parents and school groups.

Although popular, our curiosity for pictures of the St Kilda schoolgirl in June and information about Kim Kardashian's wedding and subsequent break-up 72 days later didn’t quite make it to the top ten. Something to strive for next year, ladies?