Ask.com Reveals the Top Searches of 2014; Makes Predictions for the Year Ahead

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ask.com, the leading online brand for questions and answers, today released the top trending search terms for 2014 associated with celebrities, news and politics. The analysis is based on search data and question volume from more than 100 million monthly US users.

Among the biggest celebrity searches of the year were those tied to the untimely and tragic deaths of entertainers Robin Williams and Joan Rivers, leaked nude photos of Hollywood's leading ladies and shocking elevator security camera footage. In addition to repeat appearances from Kim Kardashian and Kate Middleton, top celebrity searches also included newcomers such as Renee Zellweger and Derek Jeter, who broke into the top 10 with top trending questions "what happened to Renee Zellweger's face?" and "when is Derek Jeter's last game?"

The top news search of the year was around the Ebola virus outbreak, with the question "what are the symptoms of Ebola?" seeing a spike in volume as the virus made its transatlantic journey from West Africa to the United States. Meanwhile, continued unrest in the Middle East topped American minds when it came to political searches, with consumers seeking to better understand "what is happening between Israel and Hamas?"

In addition to releasing users' top searches, Ask also released ten predictions about the year ahead across lifestyle and entertainment categories. Based on an analysis of the declining volume of searches and questions tied to the show, Ask's top prediction for 2015 is that "Keeping up with the Kardashians" will be canceled after its 10^th season.

"Every year, millions of people come to Ask to get answers, and learn new things through the natural, conversational format of Q&A," said Valerie Combs, consumer trend expert at Ask. "As a result, we get unique insight into not only what is resonating with millions of consumers today, but how that might evolve in the year ahead."

Top news search terms from Ask.com are:

1. Ebola
2. ISIS
3. Malaysia Airlines 
4. Ice Bucket Challenge 
5. Ferguson 
6. Sochi Winter Olympics 
7. World Cup 
8. Nigeria 
9. Malala Yousafzai
10. iPhone 6

Top celebrity and entertainment search terms from Ask.com are:

1. Robin Williams 
2. Jennifer Lawrence
3. Jay-Z
4. Kim Kardashian
5. Joan Rivers
6. Ray Rice
7. Angelina Jolie
8. Renee Zellweger
9. Kate Middleton
10. Derek Jeter

Top political search terms from Ask.com are:

1. Israel
2. Ukraine 
3. Indian Election 
4. Scotland 
5. Hong Kong
6. Janet Yellen
7. Thailand
8. Veterans
9. Kim Jong-un
10. Hobby Lobby

With 2015 nearing, Ask also analyzed its 100 million users' top questions to predict headlines for the upcoming year. These include:

1. "Keeping up with the Kardashians" is canceled after its 10th season.
2. Nashville edges out New Orleans as the top southern US travel destination.
3. Michael Keaton is one of the top contenders to be cast in the third season of "True Detective."
4. Wyatt breaks into the top 100 baby names for girls.
5. The Bulldog dethrones the Labrador as America's most popular dog.
6. Stephen Colbert is crowned king of the late night talk show wars.
7. Personal robots will sell twice as many models in 2015 than were sold in 2014.
8. No sugar diets knock gluten free out of the top spot for the health fad of the year.
9. BMW's i3, the luxury automaker's new entry to the electric car market, spikes in sales, surpassing the growth rate seen in 2014 by both the Tesla and the Nissan Leaf.
10. Adele's rumored new album tops the charts and breaks her own previous album release record.

Learn more about the year's top questions and leading search terms at http://blog.ask.com/. If you are interested in speaking with an Ask spokesperson about the findings, please contact Stephanie Cooley at [email protected].

About Ask
With more than 100 million global users, Ask is a leading online brand for questions and answers and an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI). More information is available at www.ask.com or http://blog.ask.com.

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SOURCE Ask.com

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