Pop singer Britney Spears proved the most searched for celebrity in 2007, while "weather" was the most popular general term, according to AOL.

These are two of the categories comprising the online search engine's list of top searches for 2007.

The lists, AOL indicates, are based on the people, places and topics that received the largest volume of search queries on AOL Search, on mobile devices and on the company's new video site Truveo.com.

US Senator Hillary Clinton was the number one query on the politician list and wrestler Chris Benoit's death was the top AOL news story search.

The much-hyped Apple iPhone appeared at the top of the gadget search list, while "Iraq" was the most searched term on mobile devices.

John Kannapell, AOL Search: "Search results provide a unique snapshot of what's on the minds of millions of people from around the world, over the course of a year."

"Search results provide a unique snapshot of what's on the minds of millions of people from around the world, over the course of a year," said John Kannapell, senior vice president of AOL Search.

"This year's annual list of top searches from AOL offers an interesting take on what people found interesting in news, politics, entertainment and pop culture in 2007."

Chris Brown emerged as the front-runner on the musicians list, while Coldplay topped the online searches for bands.

The finale of The Sopranos sent viewers searching the web for answers, making it the top television moment of 2007.

"There are some things that have to be seen to be believed," said Timothy Tuttle, chief executive and co-founder of Truveo and senior vice president of AOL Video.

"The explosion of video on the web combined with the ability to search for almost anything has given us a unique ability to view the public moments and performances that became some of the most popular, talked about or engaging topics throughout the year."

For a complete list of the most popular searches on AOL Search in 2007, go to hot.aol.com/2007 or www.truveo.com/hot2007 for links to the most searched for viral videos, TV moments and top music videos of 2007.

Top 10 search terms of 2007:
1.) Weather
2.) White Pages
3.) Games
4.) Dictionary
5.) Music
6.) CNN
7.) Maps
8.) American Idol
9.) ESPN
10.) WWE
Source: AOL

The article Britney Spears tops online searches originally appeared on 999 Today