Posted by Janet Meiners

Today is full of buzz about the election. I tried to vote early – too crowded. So my strategy is to wait until 9am to vote by my house. It worked perfectly. There were probably lines earlier, but when I got there, no lines. I walked right up, got my card, and voted.

People are not only going to the polls today – they are searching Google for more information. We want to be updated and to track the election as we go about our day.

Google Hot Trends (www.google.com/trends/hottrends) shows that online people are going to Google before they go to the polls. We want to know where and when we can vote. We are also searching for perks for voting (smart marketing!).

Here’s a brief list of free stuff for voting today (check their web site or call for details):

Krispy Kreme – free red, white and blue sprinkled doughnut. From 5-8 pm today.

Ben and Jerry’s- free scoop of ice cream at participating stores.

Free coffee at Starbucks – expect long lines!

So far today, 87 of the top 100 fastest-rising terms are about politics. In the top 10 – even the one search term that doesn’t appear to be about politics, probably is.

10 Fastest-Rising Election Day Queries on Google as of 12 noon EST:

1. exit polls 2008

2. early voting exit polls

3. voting results

4. presidential election results

5. poll results

6. election coverage 2008

7. chick fil a (I suspect this is because Chik-Fil-A in Savannah, Georgia is giving out free chicken sandwiches to voters)

8. election update

9. election tracker

10. who’s winning the election

Top campaign-related queries during the general election season: Sept. 1-Nov. 4:

Top Political Personas

1. Obama

2. Palin

3. McCain

4. Tina Fey

5. Joe Biden

6. Chuck Norris

7. Cindy McCain

8. Bristol Palin

9. SNL Palin

10. Colin Powell

Top Political Topics

1. Debate

2. Social Security

3. Presidential Debate

4. Polls

5. Voter Registration

6. Gas Prices

7. Oil Prices

8. FDIC

9. Electoral College

10. Socialism

Top Political News Sources

1. Drudge

2. Huffington Post

3. Gallup

4. Real Clear Politics

5. Rasmussen

6. Rush Limbaugh

7. Politico

8. 538

9. CNN Politics

10. Daily Kos

The Official Google Blog will keep reporting on election day trends throughout the day.

Have you voted yet? Did you get something free (besides the “I VOTED” sticker)? Join in the fun and let us know how it went.

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About the Author: Janet Meiners always wanted to be a reporter but prefers the immediacy of blogging. Known as Newspapergrl, she has freelanced for newspapers, City Search, and business magazines. She reports on internet marketing and online trends. MarketingPilgrim posts