(AFP/File, Torsten Silz)
Google’s top search report Zeitgeist showed that former Egyptian president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak was the top political figure searched in 2013. Ousted president Mohamed Morsi ranked second while current Minister of Defence Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi ranked third.
“This year’s trending searches for queries and people show growing interest in politics as the country underwent several major changes over the past three years starting on 25 January 2011 and culminating with the 30 June protests earlier this year which brought about another regime change,” an official statement issued by Google read.
Muslim Brotherhood members Khairat El-Shater and Safwat Hegazy ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, while interim president Adly Mansour ranked sixth.
In the seventh position is National Salvation Front General Coordinator Mohamed El Baradei. The final three on the list of the top 10 politicians are Hesham Qandil, Essam El-Erian and Ziad Bahaa El-Din.
The most searched events were topped by the Tamarod Initiative. Morsi’s trial was ranked second, Al-Sisi’s speech in the third position and the 30 June uprising in fourth. The fifth position went to the World Cup qualifications.
The Rafah soldiers attack, Sinai operation, republican guard events and Mubarak’s trial were all among the list of the top 10 most searched events.
Google’s statement added that there was a dominating interest in annual events, such as the popular Ramadan TV series and shows as well as the elementary and primary diploma results, among others.
The top five trending searches for people in Egypt were Bassem Youssef, the presenter of the political satire show Al-Bernameg, which was suspended in November 2013 by satellite channel CBC.
Saphinaz, the Armenian belly dancer and actress, ranks second in searches for the trending people, followed by Arab Idol contester Ahmad Gamal and winner Mohamed Assaf. Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi ranks fifth on the list.
“Entertainment was also a major draw for Egyptians this year,” the statement added.
The most searched TV shows are Al-Bernameg and Mazag El-Khweir, which aired during the month of Ramadan. Elshak, Hekayet Hayah and El Akrab, also shows which aired during Ramadan, followed.
The most searched song was Teslam El Ayadi, a song supporting the Egyptian army.
The top five most-searched sports teams are Zamalek, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Basil and Al–Ahly, while Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Shikabala were the top five most-searched athletes.
