Yahoo! Search Blog: Google users confirm, Yahoo! better than sex

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February 01, 2007

Google users confirm, Yahoo! better than sex

I was reading Slashdot yesterday and came across an interesting tidbit. It turns out that, according to data from Google Trends, Yahoo! passed sex as the number one search term on their search engine last year. When we heard that Google searchers thought Yahoo! was better than sex, let�s just say it put a little smile on our faces.

That got me thinking about where sex stacked up in the overall scheme of things, so I referred to none other then the good old Maslow�s Hierarchy of Needs. Need a refresher of Psychology 101? Here�s a look at Maslow�s hierarchy:

maslow pyramid.gif

Maslow contends that the needs on the bottom four tiers must be met and entirely satisfied in order for people to reach their full potential through Self-Actualization. According to Maslow, sex partially addresses both our Physiological and Love needs. Which one people are searching for is probably best suited for another post. But, I guess it�s safe to say that Yahoo! is either satisfying a user�s Esteem or Self-Actualization needs. Pretty heady stuff.

So what does this all mean? I�m not sure, but Nicholas Carr�s take on top searches for 2006 sums it up for me: �This seems to confirm what I've long suspected: Googling is bad for the libido. Consider yourself warned.�

So, do you Yahoo!?

Raj Gossain
Yahoo! Search

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Comments

So Raj, c'mon. Give us the top five search terms on Yahoo, unfiltered. Is Google more popular than sex on Yahoo?

Posted by: Danny Sullivan | February 1, 2007 01:25 PM

More and more people understand they're better off using multi-word queries to reach the very specific type of sex information they want. :)

It's not such a shocker the single term Yahoo (brand) is searched for more than sex.

Nonetheless, I like the spin used for this post--good marketing!

Posted by: Eric Itzkowitz | February 1, 2007 01:58 PM

Yahoo Mail beta, is better than sex...

Posted by: Zach Katkin | February 1, 2007 04:15 PM

Strange...I wonder it was just the word "Yahoo!" or was it a combination of searches related to Yahoo! related brands like Jumpcut and Yahoo! Answers.

Posted by: Disowned | February 2, 2007 01:31 PM

Come on guys keep up with Maslow. In 1970 he added intellectual and aesthetic needs to the pyramid. So the search for Yahoo was being above sex means that we've satisfied our belongingness needs and are moving on. So it's basically sex then yahoo.

At least that's how I do it.

Posted by: H.L Coleman | February 2, 2007 02:42 PM

it just means yahoo is really good. keep it up.

Posted by: Saurabh Bhide of e-College | May 5, 2007 10:32 PM

G is definitely still better than yahoo. Especiall after tis recent update.

Posted by: Home Furnishings & Decor | May 10, 2007 09:54 AM

Yahoo mail Beta is the greatest around now...

Posted by: Sterling Silver CZ Jewelry | May 10, 2007 09:58 AM

How do the top searches in Yahoo compared with Googles's ?

Posted by: Decorative Throw Pillows & Blankets | May 10, 2007 10:00 AM

Yes Danny,
Google more popular than sex on Yahoo.

Posted by: video | May 21, 2007 07:07 AM