Predicting Public Interest in Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedures Using Google Trends

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1253-1262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D Tijerina ◽  
Shane D Morrison ◽  
Ian T Nolan ◽  
Matthew J Parham ◽  
Rahim Nazerali

Abstract Background Google Trends (GT) provides cost-free, customizable analyses of search traffic for specified terms entered into Google’s search engine. GT may inform plastic surgery marketing decisions and resource allocation. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine GT’s utility in tracking and predicting public interest in nonsurgical cosmetic procedures and to examine trends over time of public interest in nonsurgical procedures. Methods GT search volume for terms in 6 ASPS and ASAPS nonsurgical procedure categories (Botox injections, chemical peel, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion and soft tissue fillers [subcategories: collagen, fat, and hyaluronic acid]) were compared with ASPS and ASAPS case volumes for available dates between January 2004 and March 2019 with the use of univariate linear regression, taking P < 0.01 as the cutoff for significance. Results Total search volume varied by search term within the United States and internationally. Significant positive correlations were demonstrated for 17 GT terms in all 6 ASPS and ASAPS categories: “Botox®,” “collagen injections,” “collagen lip injections” with both databases; and “chemical skin peel,” “skin peel,” “acne scar treatment,” “CO2 laser treatment,” “dermabrasion,” “collagen injections,” “collagen lip injections,” “fat transfer,” “hyaluronic acid fillers,” “hyaluronic acid injection,” “hyaluronic acid injections,” “Juvederm®,” and “fat transfer” with just 1 database. Many search terms were not significant, emphasizing the need for careful selection of search terms. Conclusions Our analysis further elaborates on recent characterization of GT as a powerful and intuitive data set for plastic surgeons, with the potential to accurately gauge global and national interest in topics and procedures related to nonsurgical cosmetic procedures.

Author(s):  
Ourania S. Kotsiou ◽  
Vaios S. Kotsios ◽  
Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis

Background: The Greek National Health System (NHS) has been profoundly affected by the synergy of the economic and refugee crises. We aimed at evaluating the public interest regarding refugee and healthcare issues in Greece. Methods: Google Trends was employed to normalize traffic data on a scale from 0 to 100, presented as monthly relative search volume (RSV) for the search term queries: “refugees”, “health”, “diseases”, “hospital”, and “economic crisis” in Greece, from the period 2008 to 2020. Cross-country comparisons in selected European countries were made. Results: The analysis of RSV data showed an upward trend for the keyword “refugee”, in Greece, in the last five years, with two remarkable peaks from 2015 to 2016 and from 2019 to the present. Interest regarding refugees was more prevalent in the Aegean islands compared to the mainland. The mass influx of refugees has been linked to disease-related concerns. The search terms “hospital” and “health” have been the most popular and constantly quested topics since the beginning of the economic crisis in Greece, in 2009. Similar trends existed across Europe. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for effective public awareness of current politico-ethical and social-economic conditions. The patterns of public interest can formulate public policy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-139
Author(s):  
Jasmine Garg ◽  
Abigail Cline ◽  
Frederick Pereira

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the public interest in the United States of telogen effluvium before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in order to investigate the best therapeutic interventions for dermatologists in the future. Methods: We performed Google TrendsTM search for “COVID hair loss”, “telogen effluvium” and “hair loss” between 5/1/20 and 8/16/20. Conclusion: All three terms have increased in popularity for search terms since mid-March and were the most prevalent in the states that experienced the earliest increase in number of coronavirus cases.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1201
Author(s):  
Dewi Rokhmah ◽  
Khaidar Ali ◽  
Serius Miliyani Dwi Putri ◽  
Khoiron Khoiron

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered individuals to increase their healthy behaviour in order to prevent transmission, including improving their immunity potentially through the use of alternative medicines. This study aimed to examine public interest on alternative medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic using Google Trends in Indonesia. Methods: Employing a quantitative study, the Spearman rank test was used to analyze the correlation between Google Relative Search Volume (RSV) of various search terms, within the categories of alternative medicine, herbal medicine and practical activity, with COVID-19 cases. In addition, time lag correlation was also investigated. Results: Public interest toward alternative medicine during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is dramatically escalating. All search term categories (alternative medicine, medical herbal, and alternative medicine activities) were positively associated with COVID-19 cases (p<0.05). The terms ‘ginger’ (r=0.6376), ‘curcumin’ (r=0.6550) and ‘planting ginger’ (0.6713) had the strongest correlation. Furthermore, time lag correlation between COVID-19 and Google RSV was also positively significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Public interest concerning alternative medicine related terms dramatically increased after the first COVID-19 confirmed case was reported in Indonesia. Time lag correlation showed good performance using weekly data. The Indonesian Government will play an important role to provide and monitor information related to alternative medicine in order for the population to receive the maximum benefit.


Author(s):  
Kometh Thawanyarat ◽  
Shannon Francis ◽  
Trudy Kim ◽  
Connor Arquette ◽  
Shane Morrison ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Increased video-chatting, stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been correlated with increased appearance concerns. Initial lockdown restrictions correlated with a decrease in aesthetic/cosmetic plastic surgery case volumes. Objectives We aim to delineate public interest in aesthetic procedures surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic via Google Trends (GT). We hypothesize that because of the pandemic, public interest in plastic surgery procedures increased, especially localized above the shoulder. Methods Trends in the US for given search terms and volumes were gathered via Google Trends between January 2015 to March 2021. The search volumes were normalized, and a bivariate regression analysis of panel data was then applied to the aggregate trendlines to determine if a statistically significant change in search volume occurred following the stay-at-home orders. Results The following search terms had statistically significant (p &lt; 0.000) increases in search volumes after February 2020: blepharoplasty, Botox, brachioplasty, breast implant removal, breast reduction, brow lift, buccal fat removal, hair transplantation, lip augmentation, mentoplasty, otoplasty, platysmaplasty, rhinoplasty, and thighplasty. Chi-squared analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association (Chi-squared = 4.812, p = 0.028) between increases in search volume and above the shoulder procedures. Conclusions Public interest in above the shoulder surgical procedures showed a statistically significant increase following February 2020 compared to below the shoulder procedures. Continued examination of specific procedure trends, as well as determining correlations with more accurate procedural datasets, will provide increased insight into consumers’ mindsets and to what extent video conferencing plays on the public’s interest in pursuing aesthetic surgery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. NP34-NP43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D Tijerina ◽  
Shane D Morrison ◽  
Ian T Nolan ◽  
Daniel G Vail ◽  
Gordon K Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Several online resources such as Google Trends (GT) enable plastic surgeons to track search volume trends for cosmetic procedures. Understanding these data may allow surgeons to better anticipate patients’ interests and meet their needs. Objectives The authors sought to evaluate the correlation between GT search volumes and annual surgery volumes. Methods Search terms were generated using the “related queries” feature of GT. Data were obtained for the terms breast augmentation, buttock augmentation, buttock implants, buttock lift, calf augmentation, liposuction, lower body lift, thighplasty, abdominoplasty, and brachioplasty from January 2004 to November 2017. Annual volumes for respective procedures were obtained from statistics reports of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) from 2006 to 2017 and American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) from 2004 to 2017. Correlations were evaluated applying univariate linear regression of GT data to both ASPS and ASAPS data. Results Geographical and temporal variations in search volume were detected during the study. Search volume trends that correlated significantly with both ASPS and ASAPS surgery volume trends were: “butt implants surgery” (ASPS: R2 = 0.366, P = 0.049; ASAPS: R2 = 0.380, P = 0.019); “liposuction” (ASPS: R2 = 0.690, P = 0.002; ASAPS: R2 = 0.578, P = 0.002); and “liposuction surgery” (ASPS: R2 = 0.672, P = 0.002; ASAPS: R2 = 0.476, P = 0.006). Several search terms demonstrated no significant relationships, negative correlations, or were significant with only one database. Conclusions This study characterizes GT as a convenient and informative data set for plastic surgeons to analyze patient interest in cosmetic body-sculpting procedures. GT represents a useful instrument for tailoring marketing strategies and addressing the needs of our patient population.


Author(s):  
Magdalena Sycinska-Dziarnowska ◽  
Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz

Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to changes in the dental needs of the population and new challenges concerning oral health care. Methods: The Google Trends tool was used to collect data on the Internet search interest. The investigated material was collected from 1 January 2020 to 23 August 2020. Search terms “toothache”, “dentist” and “stay at home” were retrieved for the whole world as well as for the US, the UK, Poland, Italy and Sweden. Results: During the lockdown, correlation analysis indicates the lowest public interest in the word “dentist” one week preceding the peak for “toothache”, followed by an increase in the word search for “dentist”. On 12 April, worldwide, the maximum of Google Trends Relative Search Volume (RSV) for “toothache” was observed. Conclusion: Decrease in “dentist” queries during lockdown followed by an increase in “toothache” search predicts greater dental needs in the post-pandemic period. The surveillance shows significant changes in queries for dental-related terms during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to prepare for future pandemic outbreaks teledentistry programs should be taken into consideration.


F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1201
Author(s):  
Dewi Rokhmah ◽  
Khaidar Ali ◽  
Serius Miliyani Dwi Putri ◽  
Khoiron Khoiron

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered individuals to increase their healthy behaviour in order to prevent transmission, including improving their immunity potentially through the use of alternative medicines. This study aimed to examine public interest on alternative medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic using Google Trends in Indonesia. Methods: Employing a quantitative study, the Spearman rank test was used to analyze the correlation between Google Relative Search Volume (RSV) of various search terms, within the categories of alternative medicine, herbal medicine and practical activity, with COVID-19 cases. In addition, time lag correlation was also investigated. Results: Public interest toward alternative medicine during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is dramatically escalating. All search term categories (alternative medicine, medical herbal, and alternative medicine activities) were positively associated with COVID-19 cases (p<0.05). The terms ‘ginger’ (r=0.6376), ‘curcumin’ (r=0.6550) and ‘planting ginger’ (0.6713) had the strongest correlation. Furthermore, time lag correlation between COVID-19 and Google RSV was also positively significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Public interest concerning alternative medicine related terms dramatically increased after the first COVID-19 confirmed case was reported in Indonesia. Time lag correlation showed good performance using weekly data. The Indonesian Government will play an important role to provide and monitor information related to alternative medicine in order for the population to receive the maximum benefit.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Istvan-Szilard Szilagyi ◽  
Torsten Ullrich ◽  
Kordula Lang-Illievich ◽  
Christoph Klivinyi ◽  
Gregor Alexander Schittek ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Web-based analysis of search queries has become a very useful method in various academic fields for understanding timely and regional differences in the public interest in certain terms and concepts. Particularly in health and medical research, Google Trends has been increasingly used over the last decade. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the search activity of pain-related parameters on Google Trends from among the most populated regions worldwide over a 3-year period from before the report of the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in these regions (January 2018) until December 2020. METHODS Search terms from the following regions were used for the analysis: India, China, Europe, the United States, Brazil, Pakistan, and Indonesia. In total, 24 expressions of pain location were assessed. Search terms were extracted using the local language of the respective country. Python scripts were used for data mining. All statistical calculations were performed through exploratory data analysis and nonparametric Mann–Whitney <i>U</i> tests. RESULTS Although the overall search activity for pain-related terms increased, apart from pain entities such as headache, chest pain, and sore throat, we observed discordant search activity. Among the most populous regions, pain-related search parameters for shoulder, abdominal, and chest pain, headache, and toothache differed significantly before and after the first officially confirmed COVID-19 cases (for all, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). In addition, we observed a heterogenous, marked increase or reduction in pain-related search parameters among the most populated regions. CONCLUSIONS As internet searches are a surrogate for public interest, we assume that our data are indicative of an increased incidence of pain after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as these increased incidences vary across geographical and anatomical locations, our findings could potentially facilitate the development of specific strategies to support the most affected groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanlin Zhang ◽  
Yuanzhuo Wang ◽  
Qingyue Zheng ◽  
Keyun Tang ◽  
Rouyu Fang ◽  
...  

IntroductionMelanoma is a severe skin cancer that metastasizes quickly. Bibliometric analysis can quantify hotspots of research interest. Google Trends can provide information to address public concerns.MethodsThe top 15 most frequently cited articles on melanoma each year from 2015 to 2019, according to annual citations, were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Original articles, reviews, and research letters were included in this research. For the Google Trends analysis, the topic “Melanoma” was selected as the keyword. Online search data from 2004 to 2019 were collected. Four countries (New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom) were selected for seasonal analysis. Annual trends in relative search volume and seasonal variation were analyzed, and the top related topics and rising related topics were also selected and analyzed.ResultsThe top 15 most frequently cited articles each year were all original articles that focused on immunotherapy (n=8), omics (n=5), and the microbiome (n=2). The average relative search volume remained relatively stable across the years. The seasonal variation analysis revealed that the peak appeared in summer, and the valley appeared in winter. The diseases associated with or manifestations of melanoma, treatment options, risk factors, diagnostic tools, and prognosis were the topics in which the public was most interested. Most of the topics revealed by bibliometric and Google Trends analyses were consistent, with the exception of issues related to the molecular biology of melanoma.ConclusionThis study revealed the trends in research interest and public interest in melanoma, which may pave the way for further research.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanzhuo Wang ◽  
Hanlin Zhang ◽  
Qingyue Zheng ◽  
Keyun Tang ◽  
Qiuning Sun

Abstract Introduction: Raynaud’s phenomenon is a common disorder affecting body extremities. As infodemiological methods developed, online search tools could be used to explore the public interest of the disease. The study aimed to determine the annual trend, seasonal pattern, and associated topics of Raynaud’s phenomenon.Methods: Google Trends was used to collect the data. “Raynaud syndrome” was selected as the search term. Data on monthly relative search volume (RSV) were collected from 4 selected countries (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand) and globally. Related topics were obtained, and annual related topics were also collected for analysis.Results: The maximum RSV appeared in January 2019, and the minimum value was observed in August 2011. The peak for RSV occurred in winter, and the bottom appeared in summer. In top related topics, “Maurice Raynaud” was the most related. In rising related topics, disease manifestations and autoimmune connective diseases were highly concerned. For annual related topics, associated diseases were attracting more attention over time.Conclusions: The population is interested in related diseases, pathogenesis, and treatment. There was a peak in winter for searching and revealed that there might be a positive correlation between disease attack and seasonal variation.


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