Britney Spears

The singer's steep trajectory to redemption restored her to the top of searches. Her year began with a police visit, hospital stay and psych evaluation. She returned under her father's shelter and, by summer, settled custody with her ex. Professionally, she guested on a sitcom, won thrice at the MTV Video Music Awards, broke records with "Womanizer", relaunched her site and released a documentary detailing her fall and comeback... by age 27.

WWE

A June explosion destroyed a World Wrestling Entertainment stage and "injured" chairman Vince McMahon, unleashing a sweaty soap opera of chaos that included his kids appealing for cooperation in difficult times. The stunt could've symbolized the sporting empire's battles against the economy's fall and mixed martial arts' rise. WWE produced more events, video games, and movies to make up for fewer paying fans and faithfuls kept track online to maintain its Top 5 status.

Barack Obama

The Illinois junior senator faced two hard-fought contests and nearly won a third — although toppling Britney Spears wasn't on his list. He entered 2008 as a relative newcomer on the national scene and ended the year as president-elect. His campaign defied political wisdom and made history at every turn. His Web strategy set the groundwork to make him the first wired president and, in an unprecedented Search surge, landed him at No. 3.

Miley Cyrus

Before 2008, the singer/actress had been better known — and searched — by her Disney persona, Hannah Montana. She appeared on shows like "Idol Gives Back" as Cyrus, but true name recognition came with scandal: a Vanity Fair spread featuring the 15-year-old seemingly wrapped only in a bedsheet. Savvy Cyrus apologized, survived, closed down Disneyland for a 16th birthday charity bash and ended up at No. 4.

RuneScape

This multiplayer roleplaying game's international popularity rests on its cheap access, ability to run on older computers and compelling play. Its underground success has even led to a real black market, trading actual cash for RuneScape gold — and controversial restrictions to stop it. A new boss, graphics and touted player-versus-player combat release signal the company's power play to step up in the RPG battle... and take hold at No. 5.