Internet users in January were more interested in finding out about last year’s Matric results, than SA’s latest overseas cricket tournament, reveals Google Zeitgeist – a tool that provides insight into search trends.<\/p>\n
‘Matric results 2010’ tops the list of fastest rising searches in SA from the last 30 days, while ‘cricket SA’ and ‘cricket’ claim third and fourth position respectively.<\/p>\n
Education seems to be a focus for the new year, with ‘UJ’ (University of Johannesburg) coming in sixth and ‘Unisa’ featuring at number 8. These results are indicative of the recent registration rush that saw students causing major traffic congestion at UJ’s Kingsway campus.<\/p>\n
‘Career junction’ achieves seventh place on the list and ‘jobmail’ takes the tenth spot, suggesting that South Africans are flocking online looking for a new start in 2011.<\/p>\n
Fastest rising web searches, last 30 days, South Africa:<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, with awards season on the go, it’s no surprise that South African searchers are turning to the Internet for the latest movie and celebrity gossip.<\/p>\n
Searches for controversial Golden Globes host, Ricky Gervais, peaked soon after the comedian ticked off some Hollywood A-listers with his direct British humour.<\/p>\n
The YouTube video of his opening monologue at the ceremony has already received over four million views.<\/p>\n
Image searches for January reflect a New Year’s theme across the first four slots, followed by cakes, Lady Gaga and music.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, South Africans have also been searching for pictures of the earth, while the country’s brides-to-be seem to be eager to look at wedding gown options on the web.<\/p>\n
Fastest rising image searches, last 30 days, South Africa:<\/p>\n