Google Trends Flu

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Marek

We already have a Polish version of Google Trends Flu the service, which informs about epidemic influenza. How does this service works? Of course, based on the frequency of searches for specific keywords.

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When Internet users often begin to search for words associated with the disease or how to overcome it (myalgia, fever, how to fight the flu, etc.) for Google Trends Flu are the specific signals that at least some people are sick. But that’s not all. Service is not only based on the number of queries, but also compared the number of requests with official statistics of disease in the region.

How representatives of Google say, this analysis gives as 2 weeks to prepare for an outbreak of influenza, and thus minimize potential losses associated with the mass of firms absences of employees.

The quality of the data presented by Google Trends Flu can also provide the results of research health barometer which shows that more than half of Poles seeking health information on the Internet. On the other hand, remember that some people seeking information about the disease, not because of actual signs, and as a result of hypochondria.

Google Trends Flu previously worked in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Polish version was launched on October 9th.

See Google Trends Flu.