What Indians searched for in 2008

Google announced its India Zeitgeist, a look at 2008 through the collective eyes of the Indian users on the Web. Google Zeitgeist reveals the top search trends through an exploration of the billions of search queries the company receives every year.

The 2008 year-end India Zeitgeist offers a unique perspective on the year's major events and hottest trends based on searches conducted by users in the country. So, here's looking into what India searched for in 2008, the celebrities, the sportsperson, the politicians, the days, the websites, the movies and more.

Most popular searches in 2008
1. Orkut
2. Gmail
3. Yahoo
4. Google
5. YouTube
6. YahooMail
7. Indian railways
8. Rediff
9. Cricket
10. Katrina Kaif

Seems social networking is the most popular way of connecting with people, even more than email. As for ecommerce growth, Indian railways are point in case. The website sees huge traffic showing Indian users would rather go online than stand in long queues at railway stations.

Most popular mobile queries for 2008
1. Orkut
2. Yahoo
3. Waptrick
4. Gmail
5. Games
6. Katrina Kaif
7. Rediffmail
8. Yahoomail
9. Namitha
10. Google

On mobile Internet front, games have emerged as the hottest app. Mobile optimised websites like Waptrick and mobile games are becoming very popular. Orkut and Gmail remain the most popular networking and communication properties for Indian users. Presence of three email services on the list shows increasing adoption of Internet on mobile. People are using their mobiles to email, check cricket scores, track latest news and to know more about Bollywood celebrities!

Most popular Bollywood celebrities
1. Katrina Kaif
2. Aishwarya Rai
3. Salman Khan
4. Hrithik Roshan
5. Kareena Kapoor
6. Shahid Kapur
7. Deepika Padukone
8. Shahrukh Khan
9. Mallika Sherawat
10. Genelia D'souza

The search says it all: Katrina Kaif is the new Bollywood queen. Also, actresses hold the spotlight this year. Katrina leads, followed by Aishwarya. Among heroes, Salman's the most searched, maintaining his 'online' popularity over King Khan. Shahid makes his debut on the Top 10 list.

Top 10 "How to" do stuff
1. How to reduce weight
2. How to kiss
3. How to earn money
4. How to get pregnant
5. How to learn English
6. How to gain weight
7. How to play guitar
8. How to create a website
9. How to impress a girl
10. How to tie a tie

The Internet has seems to have emerged as to the one-stop destination for all needs, with beauty, love and money - in that order, 'weighting' on users minds!

Most popular sports stars
1. Sania Mirza
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
4. John Cena
5. Dhoni
6. David Beckham
7. Brett Lee
8. Khali
9. Kaka
10. Roger Federer

Cricket may be the national passion. But when it comes to most searched sportsmen, Tennis star Sania Mirza tops the list, followed by our Cricket God Sachin Tendulkar.

Most popular politicians
1. Mahatma Gandhi
2. Raj Thackeray
3. Sarah Palin
4. Sonia Gandhi
5. Barack Obama
6. Indira Gandhi
7. Rahul Gandhi
8. Abdul Kalam
9. Manmohan Singh
10. Mayawati

How much people may criticise dynasty rule, Gandhis continue to be the nation's first family. The family has as many as three members in the Top 10 list. Incidentally, American politics too seems to have found its way East with Sarah Palin more 'searched' than Barack Obama!

Most popular movies
1. Jodha Akbar
2. Dasavatharam
3. Singh Is King
4. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
5. Jannat
6. Tashan
7. Ganesha
8. Fashion
9. Rock On
10. Race

Bollywood is the king in India! However, surprisingly the most searched movies were not ones the most watched. And regional cinema too shows its strength with a the Tamil movie Dasavatharam at second spot.

Most popular holiday destinations
1. Goa
2. Kerala
3. Kashmir
4. Dubai
5. Singapore
6. Australia
7. London
8. Shimla
9. Switzerland
10. Manali

Little guessing here, Goa emerged as the favorite destination. Foreign destinations too retained their popularity like last year.

Most Popular 'days'
1. Independence Day
2. Valentine's Day
3. Friendship Day
4. Teacher's Day
5. Earth Day
6. Republic Day
7. Mothers Day
8. Women's Day
9. Father's Day
10. World Environment Day

Most of us may rebuke our politicians, even at times criticise our systems, but in hearts we remain Indian, with a strong sense of national pride. Also, the country with all its festivals still finds time for all days like Mother's day showing marketers that their work is paying off!

Most popular government websites
1. indianrail.gov.in
2. cbseresults.nic.in
3. incometaxindia.gov.in
4. mca.gov.in
5. incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
6. passport.nic.in
7. tn.gov.in
8. cbse.nic.in
9. sebi.gov.in
10. indiapost.gov.in

Welcome to the new face of the Indian Government: Indian users are looking for more information and access. Hail egovernance! (Indiatimes Infotech)