Online Keyword Searching in Three Countries and Languages Reflects Different Perceptions and Behaviors In Response to the Name Of the Novel Coronavirus Disease

Abstract

In this viewpoint, we used three online search engines in three different languages: Google used in the United States and Japan, and Baidu used predominantly in China to investigate the perceptions and behaviors in response to the name of the novel coronavirus disease in different countries and culture. All engines offer statistical data on the trends of online searches: Google Trends in English and Japanese, and Baidu Index in Chinese. We found that the medical term “COVID-19” is not commonly used as a search keyword in any of the three countries we examined. There is a clear disconnect between “COVID-19” with either “pneumonia” (the severity of the disease and the effect on the respiratory system) or “mask” (the tool to defend against the pandemic). “Coronavirus” is the most used keyword in the US and is associated with “stock” rather than “mask”. “Coronavirus” is the most used keyword in Japan and is associated with “mask” rather than “stock”. “Pneumonia” is used China and is associated with “mask” rather than “stock”. Such differences reflect different perceptions of the disease and could potentially contribute to the different dynamics of public behavior influencing viral spread and containment.