Just released on the Facebook blog,
the status trends of 2009 make for some very interesting reading. In many ways they mirror the results of
Google's search trends, but I have to admit that Facebook has the edge here because it's
personal.
Rather than simply being 'interesting' -- great, Michael Jackson was the #1
Google trend in 2009 --
Facebook status updates are
juicy. It's worth noting that these are just results from the U.S., which is probably why 'health care' and 'religion' rank so highly. But I imagine the number two trend of 2009, '
FML' and 'swine flu' at number three have a more universal appeal.
The by-month graphs are the best bit: you can see that 'FML' was rife during the exam period in May but much less common in the hazy, drunken summer months. Coming in at number 13 is the word 'yard' -- the guys at Facebook are at a loss as to why 'yard' might have gained so much traction in the past year. The only sensible explanation is that more oldies/parent-types have joined Facebook this year -- or perhaps they're simply talking about their
FarmVille yard.
FarmVille, incidentally, comes in as the number 1 trend of the year.
Tags: facebook, farmville, statistics, status, trends, zeitgeist
Comments
8
Subscribe to commentsFrankDec 22nd 2009 9:58PM
The word you were looking for is memetics, though it has been scientifically disproven.
Sebastian AnthonyDec 22nd 2009 10:02PM
Well, it's not me that's looking for the right word... that's the Facebook crew :)
GriffoidDec 23rd 2009 10:15AM
face book is another sign of our times. People use it because everyone else does - the press report it because many people use it. The sheep people are back in town again !!
PatrickDec 23rd 2009 10:27AM
Its funny because I recently purchased a book entitled 'is: The Phenomenon of the Facebook Status' were it presents an insight into everyday life in the 21st century through the medium of Facebook status updates, highlighting the joys and pressures of today's world, giving a 'warts 'n' all' look into what we have become, as a society.
Each individual status update listed within 'is' allows the watching world to look into the updating person's soul as they share their thoughts and feelings of the day in a manner that has never before existed, giving a glance of what the person is made of, if not the image they are attempting to portray!
It is one of my favourite books this year, and has been getting rave reviews online.
http://www.amazon.com/Phenomenon-Facebook-Patrick-Hamilton-Walsh/dp/1604942290
If you are reading this article then you will love this book.
Thank me later
Sebastian AnthonyDec 23rd 2009 11:29AM
Of course you like it, you wrote the damn book.
If you're going to publicise, at least offer a disclaimer saying it's YOUR book -- a little honesty goes a long way on the Internet.
'Is' would be a little out-dated now, no?
jayDec 23rd 2009 2:40PM
yard may be something from reggae fans, but I seriously doubt there would be enough of those on FB to account for such a high ranking
mike klennerJan 9th 2010 4:41AM
Status trend 2009 is also introduced in facebook blog. Giving unique information will continuously appear if you propose a social networking blog as your profile and people who see your profile will have much to know all about you and your business.
mike klennerJan 15th 2010 1:09AM
Status trend 2009 is also introduced in facebook blog. Giving unique information will continuously appear if you propose a social networking blog as your profile and people who see your profile will have much to know all about you and your business.