Britney Spears Tops Annual Web Poll

By Stephen M. Silverman

12/16/2005 at 08:00 AM EST

News of her baby helped Britney Spears retain her status as the No. 1-most-searched name on the Internet, according to the annual Yahoo! "Buzz Index" poll – causing more buzz than Jessica Simpson, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.

This marks the third time in four years that the pop princess has earned the title. Last year, the 24-year-old Spears came in second, behind American Idol.

Erik Gunther, who compiles the list, tells Reuters that the 2005 Top 10 consisted of showbiz figures, proving that the public is fixated on pop-culture icons.

The Top 10 names on this year's "Buzz Index" are:

1. Britney Spears
2. 50 Cent
3. Cartoon Network
4. Mariah Carey
5. Green Day
6. Jessica Simpson
7. Paris Hilton
8. Eminem
9. Ciara
10. Lindsay Lohan

In yet another list, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has named Paris Hilton its worst-dressed celebrity of the year, for her fur fashions. Her friend Kimberly Stewart, Lisa Gastineau, Victoria Gotti and Tara Reid, followed the hotel heiress.

Martha Stewart headed last year's list, but has recently reversed course. In September, the domestic diva hosted a PETA-produced video on fur and said, "I used to wear real fur, but, like many others, I had a change of heart when I learned what actually happens to the animals," the Associated Press reports.