Malaysia Airlines disaster is most searched story on Google in 2014

The disappearance of flight MH370 in March and the alleged shooting down of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July saw the airline considering a rebrand to salvage its reputation.

‘Luis Suarez bite’ was the second most searched term, after the Uruguay striker was suspended for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in June.

Third on the list was the Scottish Independence Referendum in September this year. Despite the "Better Together" campaign being ridiculed on social media, it won with 55.3 per cent of the vote.

The fourth most searched story was around the Sir Cliff Richard allegations, after South Yorkshire Police raided his home following an accusation of sex abuse in 1985. The singer denied the allegations and hired PHA Media founder and former News of the World editor Phil Hall to provide PR support.

The celebrity photo hacking scandal was in fifth place, after nude photos of Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence and other celebrities were leaked on image board 4Chan. The Prostate Cancer Foundation proceeded to reject around $6,000 worth of donations from Reddit users who had viewed the pictures.

Other stories from the top ten included the Oscar Pistorius trial, Michael Schumacher’s accident and retired boxing manager Frank Maloney’s sex change, which was, perhaps surprisingly, the eighth most searched story this year. It was followed by the ISIS beheading of Alan Henning beheading and military unrest in Ukraine.

The analysis also shows that "what is Ebola?" was most searched "what is" question in 2014. Google users also showed an interest in fracking and ALS, the organisation raising money for Lou Gehrig’s Disease. In July and August, the ALS ice bucket challenge campaign raised $98.2m in donations for the charity.

Top 10 most searched news stories:

1. Malaysian Airways Disasters
2. Luis Suarez Bite
3. Scottish Independence Referendum
4. Sir Cliff Richard Allegations
5. Celebrity Photo Hacking
6. Oscar Pistorius Trial
7. Michael Schumacher Accident
8. Frank Maloney Sex Change
9. Alan Henning Beheading
10. Ukraine Military Unrest

Top five ‘what is…’ searches:

1. Ebola
2. ALS
3. Love
4. Fracking
5. Autism

Top five breakthrough celebrity females:

1. Ariana Grande
2. Kylie Minogue
3. Kim Kardashian
4. Zoella
5. Sia

Top five breakthrough celebrity males

1. Pharrell Williams
2. Benedict Cumberbatch
3. George Clooney
4. Jay Z
5. Nigel Farage

Top five ‘who is…’ searches:

1. Banksy
2. Frenchy
3. Dappy
4. Hamas
5. Sia

Top five TV Shows:

1. Peppa Pig
2. Eastenders
3. Game of Thrones
4. Big Brother
5. Coronation Street

Most searched departed celebrities:

1. Peaches Geldof
2. Robin Williams
3. Rik Mayall
4. Phillip Seamour Hoffman
5. Joan Rivers

Top five ‘how to…’ searches:

1. Draw
2. Kiss
3. Crochet
4. Meditate
5. Knit

Top five holiday destinations:

1. Paris
2. New York
3. Australia
4. Spain
5. Cornwall

Top five recipe searches:

1. Burgers
2. Shortbread
3. Gingerbread
4. Flapjacks
5. Lasagna