Can you guess the biggest Yahoo searches terms from 10 years ago?
As the end of another year approaches, it's that time again when we start to reflect on the major events that have taken place in the past 12 months. And according to the latest search data from Yahoo, 2023 has certainly been a year to remember.
Some of the top terms from hundreds of millions of searches include ChatGPT, the ongoing Ukraine war, and the coronavirus pandemic. Other popular terms on the list were Taylor Swift, Cristiano Ronaldo, the Rugby World Cup and Strictly Come Dancing.
But as we look back at the significant events of 2023, we thought it would be interesting to take a moment and remember what was on people's minds ten years ago. The Royal Baby, Nelson Mandela, and One Direction were some of the major terms that piqued people’s interest, along with house prices and Eastenders.
Here are Yahoo’s 10 biggest search terms of 2013:
1. Royal Baby (Prince George)
The world welcomed the future heir to the British throne, Prince George, who was born to Prince William and Kate Middleton on 22 July. One of the most memorable moments of the year was when Prince George was christened in October, with close friends and family members at the ceremony.
2. House Prices
The UK property market in 2013 was experiencing a period of recovery after the financial crisis. House prices were increasing, and there was growing demand in the market. This was driven by government initiatives like the Help to Buy scheme and greater availability of credit.
3. One Direction
One Direction was at the height of their popularity, having achieved worldwide success with hit songs like What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We're Young, and Best Song Ever. The band, made up of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, was touring extensively, including a sold-out world tour, and their third album, Midnight Memories was a commercial success. They also won numerous awards, including two BRIT Awards.
4. Big Brother
The 2013 season of Big Brother UK was shown on Channel 5 and featured a diverse cast of housemates, including celebrities and non-celebrities. Memorable moments included the introduction of the "Secrets and Lies and "Power Trip" themes, the eviction of controversial housemate Courtney Stodden, and the emotional win by Sam Evans, a deaf football coach from Wales.
5. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus released her fourth studio album, Bangerz, featuring hit singles We Can't Stop and Wrecking Ball. Her provocative music videos and live performances garnered both praise and criticism, and her appearance at the American Music Awards, where she sang Wrecking Ball with a giant, lip-syncing cat, was considered iconic.
6. Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian was a major celebrity figure, having gained fame through her reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians and her high-profile relationships. The year saw her giving birth to her first child North with rapper Kanye West, whom she had recently begun dating.
7. Strictly Come Dancing
This series of Strictly Come Dancing featured model Abbey Clancy, rugby player Ben Cohen, and pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor. One of the series' key moments was when a wardrobe malfunction caused a mishap during one of prSusanna Reid's dances. The show culminated in a dramatic finale, with Clancy and her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec being crowned the winners.
8. Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela died in December 2013 aged 95.He spent most of the year in and out of the hospital while people around the world closely monitored his condition. Despite his declining health, Mandela's legacy continued to inspire many, and his 95th birthday was celebrated with an international day of volunteering.
One of the most memorable moments of the year was when US President Obama visited South Africa and met with Mandela's family, but not the man himself due to his illness.
9. X Factor
The show featured judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Gary Barlow, and Nicole Scherzinger, and was hosted by Dermot O'Leary. Contestant Sam Bailey wowed the judges with her powerful voice and went on to win the competition. Another standout moment was when contestant Abi Alton was eliminated after a sing-off with Hannah Barrett, causing controversy among fans.
10. Eastenders
The year saw the departure of several fan-favourite characters, including Kat and Alfie Moon, who left to star in their own spin-off show. Max Branning's secret marriage to Kirsty was also revealed.