#YearInReview: Hot Topics and Top Hashtags of 2011

Today’s edition of Twitter’s #YearInReview highlights the leading topics and hashtags of the year. From news of Mubarak’s resignation in Egypt to buzz about which McDonald’s restaurants serve McLobster, the top trends that emerged on Twitter in 2011 reflect the diverse things that matter to us in our daily lives.

The list of Hot Topics and Top Hashtags charts the keywords that rose the fastest in conversation over the course of the year. This reveals what grabbed our attention most dramatically in 2011, and which events, inventions, changes and ideas made the deepest impression on us.

Among other things, we saw history unfold in the Middle East, mourned the passing of Elizabeth Taylor, celebrated National Whipped Cream Day, and cheered for the Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers and Wayne Rooney. We wondered about Charlie Sheen, speculated about the Sony NGP, and raved (or raged) about Rebecca Black. And we tYp3ed LyK tHi5.

More than anything, these trends demonstrate how Twitter connects people with common interests. Instead of watching the news, the Super Bowl and Pretty Little Liars at home alone, we watched them together on Twitter. We shared our thoughts about the world we live in, and we listened as others around the globe chimed in.

For more on how Twitter identifies trends, visit our help center.

#YearInReview: Who Joined Twitter in 2011?

If you joined Twitter this year, you’re in excellent company: other new Tweeters include Nelson Mandela, Joe Biden, Plaxico Burress, Christina Aguilera, Salman Rushdie, New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson, and the Pope.

Today’s #YearInReview list highlights some of the leaders, athletes, entertainers, journalists and other notables who dove into the Twitter stream. And they’re just a few of the 100 million people around the globe who use Twitter to see what’s happening in the world right now, share stories and information instantly, and connect to anyone, anywhere.

If you’d like to see who else is on Twitter, check out our guide to Twitter's suggestions for Who to Follow.

#YearInReview: The Year in Stories

The December edition of Twitter Stories highlights ten remarkable moments of 2011. From the man who inadvertently live-tweeted the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound to the homeless dad who was reunited with his daughter after years of separation, this list, which doubles as the annual “Year in Stories,” chronicles how people use Twitter to make a difference in ways that are both personal and universal. Here's one story:

Around the world, people sent more than 60 billion Tweets in 2011, each one reflecting a particular perspective and point in time. To choose just ten of these to sum up the year is virtually impossible. Instead of attempting to identify the “most important” Tweets of the year, we’re recognizing ten Tweets that are emblematic of the many resonant moments that happened first on Twitter—or could only happen on Twitter.

As these instances show, a single Tweet can bring you closer to neighbors and heroes, immerse you in political change or disaster relief. You might even get a steak dinner where you least expect it.

If you’ve got a Twitter story to tell, use the hashtag #TwitterStories and follow us at @TwitterStories.