Most Buzzworthy Moments of 2012

Song: “Can’t Get Enough” by MoZella

In 2012, approximately one-third of the world’s population used the Internet —that’s 2.4 billion people surfing the Web, streaming videos and sharing content online. And if this year’s most viral moments showed us anything, it’s that Yahoo! users love to laugh.

2012’s most buzz-worthy moments had us “redneckognizing” pint-sized pageant queen Alana Thompson—aka “Honey Boo Boo”—the TLC reality star who became a pop-culture phenomenon. We spent 2012 dancing "Gangnam Style" with PSY, belting out "Call Me Maybe" with Carly Rae Jepsen—and then laughing out loud as the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, the Oregon Ducks, the U.S. Naval Academy and CollegeHumor spoofed the two music titans.

Viral videos starring adorable tots were also some of the most-buzzed-about moments this year. The clip of 11-month-old twin girls dancing to their daddy’s guitar playing garnered more than 13 million views on YouTube. Two-year-old William Stokkebroe dancing the jive racked up more than 16 million views; the toddler learned to dance by watching his own parents practice. And we couldn’t get enough of Sofia Walker, who faced down a lion at the Wellington Zoo in New Zealand without so much as a whimper.

The 2012 election year also proved Yahoo! users couldn’t stop buzzing about the political gaffes, spoofs and LOL moments on and off the campaign trail. When an Associated Press photographer caught Vice President Joe Biden cozying up to an Ohio biker, the image spread like wildfire on social media. Video of Hillary Clinton shaking a tail feather in South Africa had people talking, tweeting and texting about the secretary of state letting loose over the past few months. And a comment made by Republican candidate Mitt Romney during the second presidential debate spawned a meme so viral, “binders full of women,” it became one of the top search terms of the debate, with its own Twitter account, Tumblr blog and multiple Facebook pages.

Video produced by Rebecca Resnick Driskill and Henry Baker. Postproduction by Martin Goetz. Graphics by Todd Tanner for Yahoo! Studios.