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A year in review of Google 2012 reveals a remarkable amount of search queries ranging from people and events to trends, images and how-to’s. Each year, Google releases a video aggregation of billions of search queries called “Zeitgeist.” Zeitgeist 2012 is a “spirit of the times” that reflects back on Google searches around the world for inspiration, relief and special moments that happened in the year 2012.

For a Choice

Among the most popular queries, a resounding number of searches explored choices. Choices for freedom, choices for independence, and choices for delivering a voice reflect the movement towards both equality and autonomy. Take for example the viral video, Kony 2012. The short film created by Invisible Children to raise awareness about the abduction, displacement, and killing of civilians in central and East Africa at the hands of Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army calls for individuals to deliver their voice. Millions of Google users also searched Voices of the Arab Spring. This page brings light to stories of the Middle East and North Africa during historic times of foreign policy.

For Inspiration

In times of economic turmoil and political strife, people search for inspiration to get through the day. The highly publicized 2012 London Olympics left plenty of room for inspiration, motivation and encouragement. Gabby Douglas made millions of viewers worldwide fall in love with her athleticism, charisma, and sportsmanship as she vaulted her way into one of the most prized Olympic medals. As the first woman of color to capture the individual gold medal in women’s gymnastics, Douglas inspired athletes of all sizes, shapes, and colors to chase their dreams.

For Something Special

Perhaps the most powerful moment in Google’s review of 2012 came from a clip of six year old boy with cerebral palsy walking to his US Marine father for the first time ever. Special moments like a child’s first steps and a Tunisian woman voting for the first time are captured for the world to see and be moved by on Google. Other ground breaking events like the space shuttle, Endeavor, squeezing through the streets of LA and NASA’s rover landing on Mars ranked in the top tier of 2012’s special search trends.

 Search for firsts

In the opening and closing clips of the Zeitgeist 2012, Felix Baumgartner’s supersonic freefall from 128,000 feet above earth’s surface set a world record and landed him at the number six most Google’d person in the United States. In August of 2012, South African amputee, Oscar Pistorius, became the first double amputee sprinter to compete in the Olympic Games. After undergoing amputation at just 11 months old, Pistorius’ journey to Olympic Games can be described as nothing less than miraculous.

Whether searching for inspiration, for choice, for firsts or for relief; the Google year in review of 2012 captures it all. In the spirit of times, search on. Learn more. Broaden your horizons and do it all with Google.

About the author
Frank is a writer for wireless internet providers and tests search results with a variety of internet speeds.