Google News
http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist2009/news.html
As you see from the list, users still search using 1 of 5 patterns:
Full Names (Michael Jackson, Bernie Madoff, Rush Limbaugh, Sonia Sotomayor, …)
Locations (Iceland, California, …)
Hot Subjects (cash for clunkers, unemployment rate, universal health care, …)
Organizations (heritage foundation, …)
Events (NASCAR, …)
Google Web
http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist2009/
1. twitter
2. michael jackson
3. facebook
4. hulu
5. hi5
6. glee
7. paranormal activity
8. natasha richardson
9. farrah fawcett
10. lady gaga
Check your city: http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist2009/cities.html
Bing
http://www.bing.com/community/blogs/search/archive/2009/11/30/top-bing-searches-in-2009.aspx
1. Michael Jackson
2. Twitter
3. Swine Flu
4. Stock Market
5. Farrah Fawcett
6. Patrick Swayze
7. Cash for Clunkers
8. Jon and Kate Gosselin
9. Billy Mays
10. Jaycee Dugard
Yahoo
http://yearinreview.yahoo.com/2009/top10
1. Michael Jackson
2. Twilight
3. WWE
4. Megan Fox
5. Britney Spears
6. Naruto
7. American Idol
8. Kim Kardashian
9. NASCAR
10. Runescape