Global Infodemiology of COVID-19: Focus on Google Web Searches and Instagram Hashtags
Abstract
Background
Though ‘infodemiological’ methods have been used in COVID-19 research, an examination of the extent of infodemic monikers (misinformation) use on the Internet remains limited.
Objective
To investigate Internet search behavior related to COVID-19 and examine the circulation of infodemic monikers through two platforms—Google and Instagram—during the current global pandemic.
Methods
Using Google Trends and Instagram hashtags (#), we explored Internet search activities and behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic from February 20, 2020, to May 06, 2020. We investigated the names used to identify the virus, health and risk perception, life during the lockdown, and information related to the adoption of COVID-19 infodemic monikers. We computed the average peak volume (APC) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) during the study period for the monikers.
Results
The top five COVID-19-related terms in the Google searches were “coronavirus”, “corona”, “COVID”, “virus”, “corona virus”, and “COVID-19”. Countries with a higher number of COVID-19 cases had a higher number of COVID-19 queries on Google. The monikers “coronavirus ozone”, “coronavirus laboratory”, “coronavirus 5G”, “coronavirus conspiracy” and “coronavirus bill gates” were widely circulated on the Internet. Searches about ‘tips and cures’ for COVID-19 spiked in relation to the U.S. president speculating about a ‘miracle cure’ and suggesting the injection of disinfectant to treat the virus. Around two-thirds (66.1%) of Instagram users used the hashtags “COVID-19”, and “coronavirus” to disperse virus-related information.
Conclusion
Globally, there is a growing interest in COVID-19, and numerous infodemic monikers continue to circulate on the Internet. Based on our findings, we hope to encourage mass media regulators and health organizers to be vigilant and diminish the use and circulation of these infodemic monikers on the Internet, to decrease the spread of misinformation.
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