Gingrich tops Romney in Google searches

Web interest in Newt Gingrich has spiked since early November in the GOP primary: he now leads rival Mitt Romney in Google searches both nationally and in the four early-voting states, according to data from Google exclusively obtained by The Hill.

Many more people are searching for Gingrich than Romney in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida, and online interest in the former House Speaker surpassed interest in Romney after a Nov. 9 debate best remembered for Rick Perry’s inability to remember the third government agency he hoped to close if he were elected president.

{mosads}Interest does not necessarily translate into votes, but so far voter curiosity has benefited Gingrich, whose rise in the polls began around the same time.

Early-state voters are also looking more into Romney than they have in the past. Searches for the former Massachusetts governor have risen in all four states since the beginning of November. The data suggest most Americans tuned in to the campaign in the last month, and many started paying attention just as Gingrich began his rise.

Gingrich has sparked the most interest in South Carolina and Florida, where searches for him are through the roof, while Romney’s have steadily risen. In Iowa, he surpassed Romney a few weeks ago, while in New Hampshire he holds a narrow lead in terms of voters’ curiosity.

The full report will be available later on Tuesday on Google’s Politics & Elections blog.