Facebook ‘Year In Review’ Shares Most Talked-About Topics In 2015
There are certain topics mentioned more than others on Facebook, and the “Year in Review” is a chance to look at those from 2015. According to Facebook, Game of Thrones was unsurprisingly the most talked-about TV show, but the review covers all elements, including natural disasters and political campaigns.
According to Social Times, Brittany Darwell and Betsy Cameron looked at the top 10 events and things that people talked about in 2015. The table currently covers from January 1 to December 1, as the month of December is not yet finalized.
The presidential election has been the most talked-about thing on Facebook this year. It may be unsurprising to many, considering Donald Trump has made sure he has remained in the limelight with his controversial topics. He is even a big talking point around the world, especially this week due to his anti-Muslim stance. Britain has had more than 400,000 people sign a petition to ban him from the country due to his comments. The elections will not even take place until next year, so it could remain the most talked-about topic in 2016.
Another unsurprising item to hit the most talked-about list on Facebook was the Paris attacks. This was discussed by millions of people for various reasons. The social networking site did have to defend itself when it came to the function to tell friends and family members people were safe. Just the day before the Paris attacks on November 13, Beirut was attacked, and there was no option for people then. Facebook stated that before now, it had only put the function on during natural disasters, but that it would consider more options from now on.
Charlie Hebdo also made the list, making number eight in the top 10. This was the attack from January that started to make news again towards the end of the year, especially due to the location of the Paris attacks.
Facebook’s “Year in Review” also had the Syrian refugee crisis reach third on the list for most popular topics in 2015. The crisis that originally started as a European crisis in June has now become a worldwide issue. Yesterday, Canada welcomed its first wave of Syrian refugees, and Scotland has welcomed various planes of people fleeing their war-torn country. Arguably, it was the images of the drowned toddler from August that made this topic a major news story as people realized just how devastating the crisis was.
Marriage equality only made number six on the list, behind the Greek debt crisis. This was a major topic during the summer when the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was a constitutional right throughout all 50 states. Some states have argued against it, but millions of people welcomed the decision from the Supreme Court. Ireland also voted on same-sex marriage, finding in favor of it, which also helped the topic to trend.
Facebook shared a simple list of the top TV shows talked about in 2015. Game of Thrones sits at the top, especially after the questionable, controversial elements and final moment in Season 5 this year. Millions of people still want to know whether Jon Snow will be alive come Season 6 next year. The Walking Dead made the number two spot, possibly helped by its own Game of Thrones-inspired death of Glenn. In at number eight was Grey’s Anatomy, which made headlines after Shonda Rhimes made the shock decision to kill off Patrick Dempsey’s character Derek Shepherd. Thousands of fans said they would no longer watch the show, arguing that he and Meredith were the main focal point throughout the years.
There will likely be another “Year in Review” released by Facebook at the end of the year. As with most cases, people will likely be able to see their own review of their 2015.
[Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]
