Happy New Year, readers! 2014 is here, and it’s time once again to look back at the previous year. I first did a “Year in Review” series back in 2012 (for 2011), but wasn’t able to do one last year. The demands of my job at the time were too great, and I was bogged down with the flu. Running back and forth almost daily (or twice daily) from Brooklyn to the Bronx took its toll on me. But this year I’m in a new position and have a lot more time on my hands, so I’m happy to be able to do a look back at 2013.
I’ll follow the same basic format I had back in 2012. So here in Part 2, we’ll take a look at the top search terms people used in order to get to our site, as well as some really bizarre ones that led them here. I’m not one to look at stats too often, so a lot of these came as a shock to me.
Top Search Keywords
1. “yeti”: This one alway ranks high, but even I’m surprised that this was the top search term. We do a lot of stories on Bigfoot here, but only one really about the yeti (and yes, there is a difference). Maybe it’s just easier for people searching online to type out than “sasquatch?”
2. “bigfoot”: This makes a little more sense, as we’ve done a ton of Bigfoot stories this year. Some of my favorites: own Bigfoot’s grave, beer company offers reward for Bigfoot, man thinks rock is fossilized Bigfoot skull, Bigfoot map details sightings, Bigfoot in video games, Bigfoot hunter shot by fellow Bigfoot hunter, and Dustin Pedroia wants to find Bigfoot.
3. “why did grant leave taps”: I guess people are still surprised when they turn on new episodes of Ghost Hunters and see that Grant Wilson is no longer a part of the show. Or they’re just hoping for any sort of explanation as to why he left. My guess? He still had a shred of dignity left.
4. “slipknot”: We did a story about Corey Taylor (the lead singer of the band Slipknot) writing a book about ghosts, because I have no interest in Slipknot and would never have mentioned them otherwise.
5. “denied”: This was the most popular search term leading to The Occult Section back in 2011, and it’s still high up on the list for some strange reason. The post that is most often visited though this term is our post Ghost hunters denied request to investigate haunted house.
6. “winnebago”: I guess nobody really does too much talking anymore about the most famous mobile home ut there. Except us. Bigfoot, UFOs and trailers seem to just go hand in hand.
7. “miley cyrus”: We’ve done a number of stories on the twerking pop tart (as well as her one-hit-wonder dad) over the years, so it’s no surprise that this ended up on the list, especially because of her shenanigans this past year.
8. “ghost”: This is really a no-brainer. And no shock to me. Sorry, I have no witty banter for this one.
9. “bald sloth”: Really not sure why so many people are looking up the bald sloth, but we did a story about it (also known as the cerro azul monster) back in 2011, and it’s still generating some interest.
10. “crystal pyramid bermuda triangle 2013”: The Bermuda Triangle continues to hold fascination for many, despite the fact that statistical analysis has shown that it’s not any more paranormal than any other stretch of ocean. But an explorer’s bold claim (despite any of that “evidence” stuff that people always clamor for) that giant crystal pyramids reside at the depths of the Bermuda Triangle got the buzz about the Triangle going again.
People Actually Used These Keywords To Find Our Site
1. “skinny bob”: A lot of people were searching for this seemingly obscure reference to an alien video. It looks fake to me, or rather, too good to be true. So it’s either a real alien, or someone deserves to be working on special effects for Hollywood.
2. “occult porn”: Returning from 2011, people are still looking for occult porn. Not sure what it entails, exactly. Satanic orgies? Bigfoot on Loch Ness Monster action? Ouija boards with nude women on them? Or maybe…
3. “ghost sex”: Can ghosts even have sex? If so, I’m guessing the male ghosts are happy to be able to last for an eternity. Sorry. Anyways, I’m guessing this is all leading to our post regarding a man catching his wife and son having sex on his ghost cam.
4. “lego occult”: My son is a huge Lego fanatic, and I know he’d go nuts for some paranormal-themed Legos (besides the haunted house ones they have with Dracula and the mummy). Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Carribbean, Marvel and DC Superheroes, and even the terrible Lone Ranger movie was made into a Lego set. Maybe someone’s hoping for Ghost Hunters or Finding Bigfoot Lego sets?
5: “jesus riding a dinosaur”: One of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever had to type. But apparently there are people out there looking for this. And of course they find The Occult Section (and our post about the Loch Ness monster being removed from Creationist textboooks).
