Most Searched 2012: Google, Yahoo, Bing Reveal Shocking Top Searches Of The Year

Search engine giants Google, Yahoo, Bing and more revealed their "Most Searched" of 2012, revealing the top searches of the year online.

The lists are meant to give a snapshot into the online culture, including many topics which made the list for search spikes throughout the year. Released every year in late November to early December, the lists are meant to reflect the items most searched for that dominated conversation, rather than random simple search topics like "weather."

Google released its 2012 zeitgeist on Wednesday which highlights "the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time." The search engine giant said the lists, one only including U.S. numbed and another globally, reflects the current state of mind when it comes to online searches, which amounted to 1.2 trillion searches in 146 languages.

Whitney Houston snagged the number one spot both globally and in the U.S. after her death in February that left fans in awe. The U.S. top five was rounded out by Hurricane Sandy, Election 2012, Hunger Games and Jeremy Lin. The global top five included Whitney Houston, Gangnam Style, Hurricane Sandy, iPad 3 and Diablo 3, in that order.

Yahoo released its top overall searched in 2012 last Sunday, which placed the election in the number one slot, followed by the iPhone 5, Apple's highly anticipated release of the year. Last year, "BP oil spill" was the most searched term preceded by "Michael Jackson's death" in 2010. The top person was Kim Kardashian followed by the Kates, Kate Upton and Kaye Middleton, respectively. Whitney Houston also made the list at number six. The Olympics also scored a spot after the games were held in London this year. Yahoo also released top 10 lists for obsessions, songs, cities and scandals.

Bing also released its top 10 at the end of November, which saw many similar searches like iPhone 5 at number one, followed by 2012 elections, 2012 Olympics and Hurricane Sandy, respectively. "Honey Boo Boo reality show" rounded out the list at number five.

Google's 2012 Zeitgeist Globally:

1. Whitney Houston

2. Gangnam Style

3. Hurricane Sandy

4. iPad 3

5. Diablo 3

6. Kate Middleton

7. Olympics 2012

8. Amanda Todd

9. Michael Clarke Duncan

10. BBB12

Google's 2012 Zeitgeist In The U.S.:

1. Whitney Houston

2. Hurricane Sandy

3. Election 2012

4. Hunger Games

5. Jeremy Lin

6. Olympics 2012

7. Amanda Todd

8, Gangnam Style

9. Michael Clarke Duncan

10. KONY 2012

Yahoo's Top Overall 2012 Searches:

1. Election

2. iPhone 5

3. Kim Kardashian

4. Kate Upton

5. Kate Middleton

6. Whitney Houston

7. Olympics

8. Political polls

9. Lindsay Lohan

10. Jennifer Lopez

Bing's Top Searches of 2012:

1. iPhone 5

2. 2012 elections

3. 2012 Olympics

4. Hurricane Sandy

5. "Honey Boo Boo" reality show

6. "Gangnam Style" dance

7. KONY 2012

8. Academy Awards

9. Kindle Fire HD

10. Facebook IPO