Obviously there's no way for us peasants to know for sure, but if I had to guess it would be based on views. So like if you have an image for your #1 all-time producer it's probably been viewed a lot (and therefore pops up on google) even if it doesn't have many (or any) fans.
Gold is earned by your contributions when people fan them, comment on them or even just view them. Obviously, if an item has earned more gold than any other contribution you have, it goes to the top of your top gold producers list. If its tied, I guess the list is random. The top recent list is what's earned gold in the last day or so, while all time is for the last 6 months (that's as far back as the gold system can go).
posted over a year ago
Do you work for Fanpop cause' you should. I mean that as a compliment :)