Twitter has become a major source of news and information. With our feeds being instantly updated with news from around the globe, we tune in not just to follow our friends or favorite celebrities but also to be connected to the world on an instantaneous and collective basis.
Twitter released their report “2012: Year on Twitter” highlighting the top tweets, trends, and biggest conversations of the year. You can even track your own year on Twitter.
It’s interesting to see the years most influential moments and events displayed in 140 characters or less. From Obama’s momentous re-election to the devastating days surrounding Hurricane Sandy, Twitter kept us informed, engaged, and yes, sometimes a little enraged.
For a social media platform that relays over half a billion tweets per day, here are the ones that stood out.
Most Retweeted Tweets:
Obama
This tweet signified Obama’s re-election and within hours became not only the most retweeted tweet of 2012, but of all time. It was retweeted by people in more than 200 countries around the world.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber’s tweet memorializing six-year-old fan Avalanna Routh who died of a rare form of brain cancer and who he became close with, became the second most retweeted tweet of 2012.
Biggest Conversations of the Year:
Summer Olympics
The 16-day Summer Games in London generated 150 million Tweets. Jamaica’s Usain Bolt was the most-discussed athlete with 80,000 Tweets about him per minute.
2012 Presidential Election
Over 31 million tweets were sent about the election on Election Day.
Top Trends:
In Sports:
- #nfl
- #nascar
- #mlb
I’m sure the Super Bowl has something to do with the NFL ranking number one, with 13.7 million Super Bowl-related Tweets during the game.
In TV:
- family guy
- #bb14 (Big Brother)
- american dad
- hey arnold
- american idol
Is Hey Arnold still around? Nostalgia must be the driving force behind its appearance on this list of conversation-starters.
In Movies:
- think like a man
- the hunger games
- the avengers
Based on box office numbers, The Hunger Games and The Avengers should rank higher, but the comedy Think Like a Man had people buzzing.
In Music:
- rick ross
- #hiphop
- trey songz
- nicki minaj
With Justin Bieber having one of the most retweeted tweets of the year, you’d think he’d crack one of the tops spots on this list.
In Food:
- ihop
- starbucks
- wafflehouse
Starbucks isn’t surprising- everyone and their mother tweeted a picture of their Pumpkin Spice Latte this fall-but IHOP?!?!
With 2012 coming to a close, it’s nice to reflect on the events of the past year and look forward to what 2013 has to offer. And you know that whatever the new year has in store, Twitter will be there to keep us updated.
Hope everyone had a great 2012 and that 2013 brings you even more joy and happiness!
