Trending upward: Two new tools to broaden access to Google Trends data for health research

Abstract

Background: Google Trends (GT) research grew exponentially since 2009. Most studies use poorer quality GT website data downloaded manually from the GT website. We developed a tool (Microsoft Excel VBA, released under the GPL-3.0-only open-source license on GitHub) in 2019 to give code-free access to better quality GT Extended for Health (GTEH) data. User feedback requested access to the tool for MacOS® and new research ideas have required completely new functionality.   Aims: In Semester 2, 2023, we set out to develop new tools for accessing GTEH data to address research needs.   Methods: Our first application—a reconfiguration of the existing tool—is coded in Python and can be compiled for Windows and MacOS®. Our second tool—incorporating and extending new concepts presented by Zepecki et al (2020)—is coded in R and runs as a Shiny® application from the RStudio® IDE.   Results: Our two tools are complete and functional and will be uploaded to GitHub by January 2024. The DHW2024 presentation will give live demonstrations of the tools using a case study of search interest in semaglutide (publication to be submitted in November 2023). Both keep audit trails and store data locally for later retrieval.   Conclusions: Researchers need tools to conduct good quality research work, and in health data science, these tools include good software. We provide two new software tools which respond to user feedback and extend current developments in the field. These tools will empower GT researchers to produce better quality GT studies in their respective fields.