Top 3 Yahoo Searches of 2009

Yahoo!'s Top 10 Searches often tell us more about our guilty pleasures, distractions, and obsessions than news headlines do, like this year's continued pursuit of online gaming, reality TV, sports, and starlets. The unexpected death of a troubled legend also drew record Web traffic and tributes.

It's also worth noting who fell off the Top 10 list: In 2008, Barack Obama became the first politician to crack the Top 10. Despite sliding off, he still commanded plenty of online attention in '09—enough to warrant his own list. Here now, the people and events that dominated searches in 2009.

1. Michael Jackson
News that Michael Jackson had been rushed to UCLA Medical Center had just broken when doctors called the King of Pop's death at 2:26 p.m. Within hours, searches on Yahoo! transitioned from "breaking news Michael Jackson" and "is Michael Jackson dead" to "r.i.p. Michael Jackson." The telling query "Elvis died" showed that the icon's shocking, premature death evoked another's.

Although Jackson's death was ruled a case of homicide, that final indignity didn't define his end: A spectacular show of mourning matched his supersized life but reminded onlookers that Jackson had been a son, brother, and a good father. His death took him out of tabloids' tales of scandal and back into the affections of the public, who honored him in costume, music, and film. Jackson had been denied his comeback, but not the spotlight. —VC

2. The Twilight Saga
With every "Twilight" book, DVD, and soundtrack release, and every cast appearance at malls across America, mass swooning from "Twilighters" erupted online.

The brainchild of a Mormon housewife, the series centers on high schooler Bella Swan, whose romance with vampire Edward unfolds over four books, each patterned after a literary classic ("Pride and Prejudice," "Wuthering Heights," "Romeo and Juliet," "A Midsummer Night's Dream").

Relative unknowns Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart broke out big as the 2008 film leads. This year's record-making sequel "New Moon" introduced new blood: Buffed-up Taylor Lautner as a teen werewolf vying for Bella's affections and dividing (most female) fans into opposing camps supporting Team Edward or Team Jacob. —VC

3. WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment fights may be staged, but there's nothing fake about its No. 3 search position. WWE fighters love the drama, and fans love to search for the faceoffs, players, and divas, plus all those auxiliary games. The older generation also mourned the passing of Captain Lou Albano, dubbed the "godfather of wrestling."

But not all the drama happened in the ring: CEO Linda McMahon (married to Chairman Vince McMahon) recently resigned her position in order to run as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Connecticut. No doubt she'll be well-prepared for the fight of her life. That's not the only thing in the works: The family-friendly operation is setting its sights on the PG-rated set. WWE's 2010 goal is to expand its audience to a younger crowd. Its new tag-team partner? Mattel. That pairing should soften up smackdowns. —CZ

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