CorpComms Magazine

The Gulf Oil spill was the top trending topic on Twitter this year followed by the FIFA World Cup and the film Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, according to an analysis of 25 billion tweets by the social networking site.

The review demonstrates the growing role of Twitter in spreading information about natural disasters or crises. The top three trending news events were, in order, Gulf Oil Spill, the earthquake in Haiti and the Pakistani floods. The recent conflict between North and South Korea and the rescue of the Chilean miners came in at numbers four and five respectively.

Pulpo Paul, the 'psychic octopus' whose feeding behaviour was used to accurately predict the outcome of Germany's World Cup matches and the final, was the tenth top trending item. Sadly, Paul died on 26 October without realising his importance in the world's news agenda.

Teen pop sensation Justin Bieber was the top trending topic in the people category, followed by Brazil's president elect Dilma Rouseff and Lady Gaga. Prince William's fiancé Kate Middleton comes in at number eight, while their engagement is number nine on the top trending news events - just ahead of World Aids Day.

Wikileaks Cablegate is number seven on the top trending news events, while founder Julian Assange is number four on the people list, ahead of disgraced Hollywood actor Mel Gibson.

Apple dominated the technology category, with tweets about iPad, iOS and iPhone taking three of the top five positions.

American basketball player LeBron James, who was named NBA Most Valuable Player for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, who became a free agent earlier this year, was the top trending sporting topic followed by Wimbledon and Manchester United.

Overall top ten trends

Gulf Oil

FIFA World Cup

Inception

Haiti Earthquake

Vuvuzela

Apple iPad

Google Android

Justin Bieber

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

Pulpo Paul

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