Facebook top searched item of 2013: Google

Facebook made it to the top of Google's most searched terms this year, overtaking the search giant's own YouTube video platform as well as Google itself, which came in at the second and third places respectively.

Also, the popularity of online shopping websites rose among web users with eBay, Amazon and Argos placed in the top 10 list.

Among UK web users, the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela emerged as the 'top trending' search term.

This was followed by searches for the sudden death of the Fast and the Furious actor, Paul Walker.

Also in the top 10 list were former prime minister Minister Margaret Thatcher, who died this year, and the birth of Prince George.

The launch of Apple's iPhone5S and Microsoft's Xbox One took top honours among biggest trending terms among tech searches.

Nelson Mandela topped Google's global 'top trending' search list while searches for Cory Monteith, Harlem Shake, Boston Marathon bombings, Samsung Galaxy S4, and North Korea made it to the top 10.

According to Google senior VP Amit Singhal, tragedies like the Boston Marathon, the sixth trending term globally, and Typhoon Haiyan, number two on our global events list, also captured global attention.

Google list of the trends for the UK  saw twerking the frenetic, buttock-wiggling dance, emerge at the top.

It also emerged from the UK list of searches that the UK was trying to find out the meaning of fitness craze Zumba, and "YOLO".

Paul Walker, the Fast and Furious actor who died in a tragic car crash November, topped the UK's general search list, outranking iPhone 5S and royal baby.

"How to lose weight", "How to get a flat stomach" and "How to dip dye hair", were the most commonly asked question according to the report.