Facebook's most talked-about topics of 2014
Facebook's analysts combed through all the posts of its one-billion-plus active users from January to December to find the most-discussed topics in the U.S. and around the world.
Here are a few highlights. (Find the full Year in Review report below.)
Most talked-about topic, ever
Facebook says that the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil drove more conversations than any event in the company's history. Though it easily topped the list of worldwide topics, it came in at number six in the United States.
Remembered around the world
After the comedy legend's passing in August, Robin Williams' memory was in the hearts and keyboards of fans the world over. He appears at the number three spot in the U.S. and fourth globally.
That's a lot of ice water
There were more than 17 million ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos posted to Facebook. Among the most-watched challengers: George W. Bush, Will Smith, Lady Gaga, Bill Gates and Verne Troyer.
Wives for the win
Let the record show that while Americans talked more about Beyoncé than any other celebrity and Kim Kardashian rounded out the list at number 10, neither's star husband made the cut.
Same, same, but different
The top 10s for the world and the U.S. were largely overlapping, but not identical. Michael Brown and Ferguson are trending both at home and around the world. But while Americans were discussing ISIS and the midterm elections, people abroad were buzzing about the Sochi Winter Olympics and the elections in Brazil. And while it's no surprise that Ebola, Gaza and the mystery of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 were generating talk everywhere, one might not have expected to find that the Super Bowl, which occupied the fourth spot domestically, pulled an impressive number eight global ranking.
And finally, Facebook's top 10 top 10 lists for 2014:
Top Global Topics of 2014
World Cup
Ebola virus outbreak
Elections in Brazil
Robin Williams
Ice Bucket Challenge
Conflict in Gaza
Malaysia Airlines
Super Bowl
Michael Brown/Ferguson
Sochi Winter Olympics
Most Talked-About Topics in the US
Ebola virus outbreak
Ice Bucket Challenge
Robin Williams
Super Bowl
Michael Brown/Ferguson
World Cup
Conflict in Gaza
US midterm elections
Malaysia Airlines
ISIS
Most Checked-Into Places in the US
Disney properties
Universal Studios Hollywood
Times Square
Yosemite National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yankee Stadium
Las Vegas Strip
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Madison Square Garden
Most Talked-About Athletes in the US
LeBron James
Derek Jeter
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Lionel Messi
Peyton Manning
Carmelo Anthony
Tim Howard
Luis Suarez
Cristiano Ronaldo
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Most Talked-About Entertainers in the US
Beyoncé
Pharrell Williams
Nicki Minaj
Taylor Swift
Jimmy Fallon
Iggy Azalea
Katy Perry
Pitbull
John Legend
Kim Kardashian
Most Talked-About TV Shows in the US
Game of Thrones
Orange is the New Black
The Walking Dead
The Big Bang Theory
Downton Abbey
American Horror Story
Sons of Anarchy
True Detective
How I Met Your Mother
Scandal
Most Talked-About Movies in the US
Frozen
Guardians of the Galaxy
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Maleficent
The Lego Movie
The Fault in Our Stars
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Gone Girl
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
The Purge: Anarchy
Most Talked-About Songs in the US
Happy - Pharrell
All of Me - John Legend
Stay with Me - Sam Smith
Turn Down for What - DJ Snake & Lil Jon
Let It Go (from Frozen) - Idina Menzel
Drunk in Love - Beyoncé featuring JAY Z
Anaconda - Nicki Minaj
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Rude - Magic!
Fancy - Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX
Most Viewed Ice Bucket Challenge Videos in the US
George W. Bush
Will Smith
Shakira
Mark Wahlberg
David Beckham
Lady Gaga
Steve-O
Bill Gates
Verne Troyer
Prince Royce
Top Global Games of the Year
Cookie Jam
Bubble Witch 2 Saga
Candy Crush Soda Saga
Klondike
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood
Old Vegas Slots
League of Angels
Hero Defense
SuperCity
Sparta: War of Empires