A rumor about “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies” set the Internet ablaze on Thursday, but it was all apparently because of a strange mix-up in key search terms, UPI reported on June 14.
Bindi Irwin, in fact, is alive and well, not dead.
News that the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s daughter, Bindi Irwin, 14, had died went viral. Fans of the popular youngster, who lives in Australia with her mother, Terri Irwin, and her younger brother, Robert Clarence Irwin, were immediately grief-stricken as news of her death spread.
But it wasn’t so. Internet search terms that stated “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies” simply weren’t true. And even as the “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies” searches were going viral, Bindi Irwin herself was happily tweeting away, including posting a photo of a beach and a video of a trip she took to Hong Kong.
So how exactly did the Internet decide that “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies?”
The Bindi death rumor was a problem with trending searches on the Internet. In this case, Bindi’s name turned up in searches as people searched on the keyword phrase "Steve Irwin's daughter.” At the same time, the phrase got tangled up in a phrase about the death of Steve Irwin.
As a result, the Internet created the phrase “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies,” and it went viral as more and more distraught fans continued to search and click.
So relax, fans. You’ll be happy to hear that “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies” is nothing but a rumor.
As for Steve Irwin, his death is not a viral rumor. The Crocodile Hunter died in a freak accident when he was stabbed in the chest by a stingray barb in September 2006.
Bindi Irwin, in fact, is alive and well, not dead.
News that the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s daughter, Bindi Irwin, 14, had died went viral. Fans of the popular youngster, who lives in Australia with her mother, Terri Irwin, and her younger brother, Robert Clarence Irwin, were immediately grief-stricken as news of her death spread.
But it wasn’t so. Internet search terms that stated “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies” simply weren’t true. And even as the “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies” searches were going viral, Bindi Irwin herself was happily tweeting away, including posting a photo of a beach and a video of a trip she took to Hong Kong.
So how exactly did the Internet decide that “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies?”
The Bindi death rumor was a problem with trending searches on the Internet. In this case, Bindi’s name turned up in searches as people searched on the keyword phrase "Steve Irwin's daughter.” At the same time, the phrase got tangled up in a phrase about the death of Steve Irwin.
As a result, the Internet created the phrase “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies,” and it went viral as more and more distraught fans continued to search and click.
So relax, fans. You’ll be happy to hear that “Steve Irwin’s daughter dies” is nothing but a rumor.
As for Steve Irwin, his death is not a viral rumor. The Crocodile Hunter died in a freak accident when he was stabbed in the chest by a stingray barb in September 2006.