This month’s Hot Searches – August 2014, had very little in common with the results of last year. While Hot Searches – August 2013 focused on sports, entertainment and celebrities, this year, Australians were a little more caring, with the Ice Bucket Challenge, the passing of Robin Williams and Ebola making the list.

This month, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was the most popular rising search term in Australia. Originally designed to promote awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS Disease), the challenge went on to include Motor Neurone Disease and other charities.

The Ice Bucket Challenge rose to popularity mid-way through the month after countless videos of celebrities completing the challenge surfaced online. By August 13, the concept went viral with over 1.2 million videos of the challenge (which includes participants being filmed while a bucket of ice water is poured over their head) had been posted on Facebook.

Although the challenge was criticised for promoting ‘slacktivism,’ related search terms suggested Australians had good intentions with donation and donate appearing alongside ALS as popular terms.

On August 11 the world was rocked by the sad news of Robin Williams’ death. Searches peaked on August 12 after the sad news was confirmed that Williams had committed suicide after battling depression. The beloved actor, comedian and filmmaker first rose to fame as Mork in Mork & Mindy, and was also known for his extraordinary performances in films such as Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting.

Reflecting on the loss of one of the world’s most iconic actors, related searches for Williams’ movies, as well as quotes and tributes were also popular.

Starting strong at the beginning of the month, searches for Ebola peaked on August 2, possibly due to the hearsay about how Australia would cope if the virus reached our shores. The Ebola outbreak, which is currently affecting several areas of West Africa, is the biggest outbreak in history and has sadly already claimed many lives, with a horrific fatality rate of 55%.

Australians wanted to find out more about what Ebola is and the symptoms as well as Ebola in Australia. Interest in Ebola related search terms peaked around August 9, and then began to drop, however searches remained consistent after this drop.

With a $70 million prize, it’s no surprise Powerball made the Hot Searches list, twice. Search results for Powerball peaked every Thursday as we eagerly waited for our numbers to be drawn, and each Thursday as the jackpot rose, so did our searches. On August 21 searches for Powerball were at their highest when the second largest prize in Powerball history was drawn – $70 million. The following Thursday, on August 28 results plummeted. Apparently $3 million just isn’t as enticing…

After releasing her new music video for Anaconda on August 20, Nicki Minaj became the fourth most popular search term. Australians searched online for YouTube, lyrics and Minaj’s collaborator Drake to see the provocative performance. Once again, the MTV Video Music Awards (or VMAs) had a mention as a top related search term, after an equally risqué live performance of Anaconda and a wardrobe malfunction (which would later be labeled as planned) on August 25. Interestingly, Nicki Minaj was a popular search term throughout the whole month of August, despite the above events all taking place in the final week.

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