Determining the Global Corona Agenda via Google Trends

Authors : Sevim ÇİMKE, Dilek YILDIRIM GÜRKAN

Pages : 17-21

Doi:10.52704/bssocialscience.980738

View : 19 | Download : 14

Publication Date : 2022-01-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :During the new coronavirus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(coronavirus/koronavirüs, corona/korona, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, novel coronavirus/); in Turkish and English in all categories insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Istanbul, İzmir, Bursa, Ankara);, `COVID-19”, “SARS-CoV-2” search words were preferred. COVID-19 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(value=3);, SARS-COV-2 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(value <1); and “novel coronavirus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(value <1);” search terms were the least preferred search terms worldwide. It was determined that people mostly preferred infodemic monikers. Google Trends insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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