Hitwise Names Most Searched U.K. Brands, BBC, Facebook

Facebook was the top social network and the second most visited Web site in the U.K. after Google. It was also the most searched for brand by U.K. Internet users. During the 12 weeks ending Jan. 3, one in every 42 Internet searches in the U.K. included the term "facebook." Facebook received 52 percent more searches than the second most popular brand, YouTube, Hitwise reports.

The third most searched for brand was the auction site eBay, while U.K. social networking site Bebo ranked fourth. The BBC rounded out the top five and was also the most searched for offline brand during the 12-week period.

Web sites ranked six to 10 were Amazon, Argos, Sky, Tesco and Yahoo!