Determining the Global Corona Agenda via Google Trends

Abstract

During the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many fake news and misleading information that could cause fear and panic among the public spread around the world. In this study, we aimed to determine online search behavior and frequency of use of infodemic monikers regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. Searches were made between December 10th, 2019 and October10th, 2020. The top five infodemic and scientific COVID-19 terms trending (coronavirus/koronavirüs, corona/korona, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, novel coronavirus/) in Turkish and English in all categories (web, visuals, shopping, etc.) in Turkey and worldwide were searched. It was found that the highest search volume was related to the search term “koronavirus” in Turkey and worldwide. It was determined that the society used infodemic words instead of scientific terms. The word "korona" had highest search volume, while in the more developed regions (Istanbul, İzmir, Bursa, Ankara), "COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2” search words were preferred. COVID-19 (value=3), SARS-COV-2 (value <1) and “novel coronavirus (value <1)” search terms were the least preferred search terms worldwide. It was determined that people mostly preferred infodemic monikers. Google Trends (GT) data can use to determine information needs of the public with respect to the disease, public approach and to plan suitable strategies.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Google Trends
• Infodemia
• Pandemic

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