Most Discussed Topics Of 2013 Chronicled On Facebook
Enid Burns for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
This year’s moments, both high and low, were chronicled on Facebook worldwide.
The social network released its ’2013 Year in Review’, highlighting the life events, location check-ins and cultural references that topped the lists of users worldwide.
On Facebook, people posted about life events. The top 10 categories for the year included the addition of relationship status such as having gotten engaged or married; traveling; moving; ending a relationship; meeting a new friend; adding a family member; getting a pet; losing a loved one; getting a piercing; or quitting a habit.
In consideration of moments that might be considered depressing, Facebook recently said it might add a “Sympathize” button for when a “Like” button just isn’t appropriate. In the meantime, the Facebook community celebrates all moments with a “Like” or a comment.
While Travel was second on the list of life events, check-in locations spanned the globe. Disneyland in Anaheim, CA registered as the top check-in location in the United States. Disneyland also made the check-in list in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Paris.
Check-in locations included Sharm el-Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate in Egypt, a hotel in one of the least populated governorates in Egypt. Taksim Square in Istanbul was another top location, and a central location for protests that took place for several weeks early in 2013. In India, Harmandir Sahib, or the Golden Temple, was the most posted check-in.
Sports arenas made for top check-in locations such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden and The 02 in London.
Popular tourist and entertainment locations for check-ins include the popular nightlife destination street, Reeperbahn in Hamburg, Germany, Piazza San Marco in Venice, Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland, Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Catalonia and the Tainan Flower Night Market in Tainan City, Taiwan.
Facebook is nothing if people are not posting about culturally relevant people and events. Worldwide the most talked about subjects included Pope Francis, elections, the royal baby, typhoon, Margaret Thatcher, Harlem Shake, Miley Cyrus, Boston Marathon, Tour de France, and Nelson Mandela.
“While some of the people or topics featured on this year’s global list need no introduction, like Pope Francis, others prompted us to dig a little deeper. ‘Election’ appeared in many languages, and was the second most mentioned term on Facebook worldwide in 2013. With high-profile national elections in countries like India, Kenya, Iran and Italy year, [sic] it’s not a surprise to see it near the top of our list,” wrote Facebook Data Editor Robert D’Onofrio, in a detailed account on the 2013 Year in Review.
The 2013 Year in Review includes a look at worldwide trends and also includes the top 10 most talked about topics in 16 different countries. While each country’s topics varied and included local events and personalities, some common themes emerged. Among those themes Pope Francis made several lists as well as the Royal Baby. Harlem Shake was more popular in the US earlier in the year, but made the rounds to other countries during its brief time in the spotlight.
Facebook compiled the 2013 Year in Review by looking at top life events and check-ins. “We looked at which life events and places generated the most posts and check-ins in 2013, and then used the data to crate global and country-level rankings,” D’Onofrio wrote.
For most talked about topics, “We measured how many Facebook posts in 2013 mentioned a specific topic and then ranked those topics based on the overall number of mentions to create each list. Mentions include both the term itself and related hashtags. For example, both ‘Here at the #inauguration’ and ‘Proud to be at the presidential inauguration’ would be calculated as part of the buzz related to a single event,” D’Onofrio said.
Facebook is not alone in its annual recap. Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft’s Bing, Ask.com and others compile lists of the most searched for and discussed topics each year.
Source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1113025814/facebook-year-in-review-most-discussed-topics-121113/
