Facebook knocks Google off its Web perch in 2010

by Steven Mostyn - Dec 30 2010, 06:10

The end-of-year backslapping continues today following news that 2010 saw social networking phenomenon Facebook officially usurp search engine Google as the Web’s most popular destination.

Facebook.com was the most visited site in the United States between January and November, according to usage data released by Hitwise, sucking up 8.93 percent of all Web traffic during that time.

Google.com secured 7.19 percent of Web visits over the same period, while Yahoo Mail secured third with 3.52 percent, Yahoo.com was fourth with 3.30 percent, and YouTube came in fifth with 2.65 percent.

Although Google.com appears to have finally succumbed to the rise and rise of Facebook, it’s perhaps worth noting that Google’s traffic percentage increases to 9.85 percent after adding together all of its contributing services and properties.

Google led the way on 2009’s listing (also recorded between January and November), followed by Yahoo Mail and then Facebook.com, Yahoo.com and MySpace.com.

Taking a closer look at other categories explored by Hitwise, Kim Kardashian has become 2010’s most searched for celebrity, while Lady Gaga was the most searched for music star, Star Wars was the most searched for movie, and Dancing with the Stars was the most searched for TV show.

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