Facebook’s Year in Review reveals Australians love US politics

AUSTRALIANS feel more compelled to talk about Trump than Turnbull, according to Facebook, along with shark attacks and rare Pokemon.

Aussies love talking about the US election on Facebook. Picture: AP

MORE Australians spoke out about the US elections than the marathon Australian federal election campaign this year, while shark attacks and Pokemon also entered and dominated our online conversations.

These are the findings of the world’s biggest social network, Facebook, which this morning revealed the topics its 15 million Australian users liked, shared, and discussed online in 2016.

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Despite an unprecedented 10-week federal election in July, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull only ranked as the second most discussed topic of the year, with the ongoing American presidential election stealing top spot.

The top 10 most talked about topics on Facebook for 2016 in Australia include shark attacks and Pokemon Go.

More than 289 million people discussed the US election from March 2015 to this year, according to Facebook, with more than 10 billion likes, comments, shares, and posts.

By comparison, just 3.7 million Australians shared their thoughts on the Australian election.

The only other Australian politician to make Facebook’s top 10 was senator Pauline Hanson, helped by her starring role in the popular video of Sam Dastyari offering to share his halal snack pack with her.

Facebook found shark attacks and Pokemon Go also featured highly in Australians’ online chats this year, with sharks taking a bite out of the top 10 for the first time, and photos of rare Pokemon Go creatures popular.

The death of singer David Bowie ranked in fourth place, with Australians posting more about the star than the citizens of any other country outside the UK. Within 12 hours of his death, more than 35 million people had posted about his life.

The most popular Bowie tributes came from fellow celebrities, including Paul McCartney, Ricky Gervais, and Lenny Kravitz.

Facebook compiled the top 10 by analysing topics in posts shared between January and December.

Originally published as Facebook’s Year in Review reveals Australians love US politics