How to Use Google Trends to write on the Hot Topics

By admin • May 24, 2007

Google Hot Trends

Google today launched a new feature – Hot Trends.

The web page shows the current 100 searches that are “coming to the front” in near-real time.

A click on a search term will take you to a Hot Trends page with more detail on the term. For example, Straits of Hormuz, shows a diagram of search volume and results from Google News, Blog Posts and Web Results.

From Google (link):

It’s a new feature of Google Trends for sharing the the hottest current searches with you in very close to real time. What’s on our collective mind as we search for information? What’s interesting to people right now? Hot Trends will tell you. At a glance, you’ll see the huge variety of topics capturing our attention, from current events to daily crossword puzzle clues to the latest celebrity gossip. Hot Trends is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Google Trends Comparison – Gordon Brown vs Tony Blair

The existing Google Trends service can be several months out of date. See for example, a comparison of Gordon Brown and Tony Blair (Google Trends page). Screen shot above.

Google Trends – David Cameron vs Michael Howard

For balance, here’s the graph showing the Tory leadership handover from Michael Howard to David Cameron (Google Trends page). Michael Howard just vanishes from the graph. This page even captures the special interest in David Cameron from Oxfordshire. Screen shot below.

The service also highlights news items from key points in the history.

A good research tool for political bloggers.

Caveat

Theis tool is based on searches on google.com, so needs to be used with care. As I have written previously, in the UK 80% of searches are done using the “UK pages” option of google.co.uk.

It is still a useful tool, however, as searches done from the UK using google.com are still large enough to give much useful information via Google Trends.

If you liked this post, then please consider subscribing to the Wardman Wire RSS Feed. You can also subscribe by email.

Categories: 100 Days to Better Blogging, Hints and Tips, Internet / Technical, Political Blogging, Politics
Tags:

About the Author

admin

Matt is an internet consultant, commentator, freelance writer and Project Manager based in the UK. He is available for hire. Matt edits the Wardman Wire, and writes at Poligeeks, Total Politics, and occasionally in several other places.