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As nearly every aspect of our daily lives has been changing during the Coronavirus pandemic, we may be challenged in keeping up with these changes. We may not even know what questions we should be asking about the shifting world around us to get the answers we need to better cope during these tumultuous times.
Google Trends has created a dedicated Coronavirus section to help you learn how the pandemic is affecting the world, your country, and even your local area. “Coronavirus is a huge topic in search interest,” according to Google Trends and its Coronavirus section reveals search trends showing which issues are of most concern to people.
Using Google Trends, you can see patterns of pandemic search terms over time. You can search for results in your home country or in other countries around the world.
Google Trends may even be able to predict areas of future outbreaks of Coronavirus by showing trending searches for symptoms of the disease. You can explore which locations have searched the most for “Coronavirus” in the past day to find potential future hotspots.
Google Trends can show you areas by map or by list, in subregions, metro areas, and cities. Scroll over a map to see results for a particular area.
Dsicover which questions people are asking about Coronavirus around the world…
and which questions people are asking about Coronavirus across the United States to see how the searches compare:
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Google Trends can also show you how general interest in Coronavirus has changed over time, compared to other popular searches:
You can see how searches for symptoms of COVID-19 have trended during the past months. Hover over a date to see specific information on how popular a search term was on that date.
Google Trends can even show you the time of day when people search the most for “testing.”
You can see from Google Trends how the interest in face masks has evolved over time, going from “face mask pattern” for those who wanted to sew masks, to more recently “face shield” for those who want added protection from the virus.
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The Coronavirus section also has links to other sites, for people who want to take a deeper data dive into search stats about the pandemic. Check out Searching COVID-19 for an interactive way to find patterns in our need for knowledge. This site uses creative graphics to illustrate trends such as the search transformation from “what is” to “how to” over time during the pandemic.
Google Trends also shows the impact the pandemic is having on the US economy. The US Economy and COVID-19 page helps you explore how Coronavirus is affecting the US economy. This page focuses on topics such as:
- State of the Economy
- Personal Finances
- Employment
- Relief
- Other Data
View information such as where people searched for “bankruptcy” most often.
As upsetting and depressing many of these pandemic search trends can be, you can take comfort in the search trends that are uplifting and inspirational. Head to the Coronavirus Google Trends gratitude page that shows how people have been searching for ways to help others. This page shows that some of the most popular searches include “how to thank”:
- The bus driver
- A nurse
- Someone
- A healthcare provider
- Healthcare workers
Searches for “how to help” are more popular than ever around the world, according to Google Trends.
And check out Google’s inspirational video about search trends for helping healthcare workers:
Your Thoughts
Have you explored the Coronavirus section of Google Trends? Are there any trends for Coronavirus that have been especially surprising to you? Have your searches for Coronavirus issues matched searches in your area and/or searches around the world? What would you like to learn from the Coronavirus section of Google Trends?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Google Trends is a great way to see changes in online behavior across the board. For both startups and established businesses, understanding how customers are changing what they look for can be a key to success. Checking out Google Trends can give you powerful insights in almost real-time into how your business may need to change with changing demand.
Hi John, Yes, Google Trends can be helpful for businesses as well as for individuals. Google Trends can give you helpful insights about the world around us, and especially for COVID-19. You’re right, the world is constantly changing and by seeing the trending search terms, we may learn ahead of time the direction in which it’s heading.
Hey there, Carolyn!
You have a nifty blog, and this is a captivating (and nerdy) topic. My favorite!
I use Google Trends regularly to browse for interesting blog post ideas so I can determine the popularity of any number of topics.
However, I wasn’t aware that Google had a dedicated section to help navigate through these crazy times. Neat!
Upon first glance, I am surprised that the total number of searches for Coronavirus seems to have decreased since March.
I’m also saddened to see that “unemployment” is among one of the popular search terms. I hope that the Covid-19 pandemic is behind us soon enough!
Thanks again for the helpful post.
Cordially…
MD
Hi Mike, Yes, the dedicated Coronavirus section of Google Trends is fascinating. I’m thinking that the decrease in searches for Coronavirus since March is because so much information is readily available and that people had more targeted searches, such as testing locations, symptoms, travel restrictions, etc.
Yes, this pandemic has had a far-reaching effect on our lives. These times have been challenging in so many respects, and especially for people’s financial well-being. I agree, I hope that we’re on the other side of this pandemic soon.
Google trends is something businesses must use. It gives idea about what actually happening around the world and what people are searching. It is the best free tool by Google. BTW, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi Bhavik, You’re right, Google Trends is a valuable source of information for people and businesses. It’s a handy free tool, along with search, YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Photos, Google Lens, and many other helpful information tools from Google.
I have used Google trends for years – it’s great for deciding on what to base articles on. Using it for following human behaviour trends is an interested aspect thanks.
Hi Dan, Yes, even people who have been using Google Trends for years may not be aware of the Coronavirus section to keep on top of information about the pandemic. It can definitely help you learn about human behavior during a unique time in history.
I am one who likes to keep up to date on current affairs, especially during the pandemic. It’s great that you can track a lot especially by area which is really important right now. This inforamtion is really helpful!
Hi Sam, Yes, Google Trends is an excellent way to stay on top of information about the pandemic. I hope you really enjoy using Google Trends, Sam.