So, what did you Google this year?

If you're not a dinosaur or troll living under the Kallang Bridge, you've obviously used Google Search before. Every wondered what everyone one else is searching on the Internet in Singapore? Clear that haze of ignorance as we examine Google's Zeitgeist 2009 results for Singapore -- a look at 2009 through the collective eyes of the local public on the web and rounds up which are the year's major events and hottest trends based on searches conducted on www.google.com.sg.

But what in electron-induced blazes is a Zeitgeist? "Zeitgeist" means "the spirit of the times" according to the search giant, and this spirit is presented "through the aggregation of millions of search queries we receive every day." In so many words, it's an online summary and electronic representation of what people are most interested in the Internet throughout the year.

From the Singapore Zeitgeist results which were just released, a few things pops out at us.

• Despite (or perhaps because of), people generally focused on purchasing essentials and searching for the best possible deals online, from household items and properties to travel and electronics.  For example, the word 'sale' was searched a whopping 34% more in 2009 as compared to 2008.
• Searches for ‘ion orchard’ have topped the list of hottest shopping malls and is now nearly as popular as 'takashimaya' after just 4 months. The highly anticipated opening of the super-mall generated around a 233% spike in search traffic making it #1 on the shopping mall list in 2009.
• Singapore’s very own National Day Parade 2009 beat out the F1 Grand Prix as the top local event.
• We are really a foodie nation -- Sakura and Kuishinbo buffets tops this year’s list of food hot spots.

Here are some of the most searched terms on Google Singapore.

Most popular search: "facebook"
Fastest rising search: "facebook login"
Top mall: "Ion Orchard"
Sporting event: "Asian Youth Games"
Celeb blogger: "Jamie Yeo"
Top event of 2009: "NDP 2009"
Most searched condominium: "Caspian"
Top restaurant: "Sakura buffet"

For the full results, go to Google Zeitgeist 2009 for Singapore.

Were the results surprising? Let us know your thoughts.