# Online Epidemic Tracking Google Flu Trends By Jacob Courtade | Published 2008-11-12 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-flu-trends-epidemic-tracking-through-web-searches References: [abcnews.go](http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFluNews/story?id=6231359&page=1) & [google.org](http://www.google.org/flutrends) Google has announced an exciting new project, working in tandem with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Atlanta. The [Google Flu Trends](http://www.google.org/flutrends) allows the health care organizations to see, in real time, the geographic locations of individuals searching for flu-related symptoms. The underlying assumption is that as the flu virus breaks out in a specific geographic area, sufferers will turn to their computers (including Google’s popular search engine) to seek remedies and treatments. Google, while promising to keep individual data private, can then alert the health care organizations about such breakouts. Yet another terrific Google idea! Photo courtesy of [hhesonline](http://www.hhesonline.com/cs/natural_remedies/flu-remedies.htm). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 32% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Real-time Epidemic Tracking:** Using real-time data from online searches, organizations can track and respond to epidemics faster. - **Public Health Analytics:** Analyzing online search data can provide valuable insights for public health organizations. - **Privacy-preserving Data Analysis:** Developing technologies to analyze user data while respecting privacy can unlock new opportunities for tracking epidemics. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Healthcare:** Healthcare organizations can leverage real-time epidemic tracking to improve response and resource allocation. - **Technology:** Technology companies can develop analytics tools and platforms to support epidemic tracking and response. - **Data Privacy:** Data privacy solutions providers can create innovative technologies to analyze user data while maintaining privacy. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Insect-Level Forecasting Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mosquito-forecast.md) - [Medical Search Engine Chatbots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mayo-clinic-1.md) - [Smartphone Map App Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mapapp-feature.md) - [Location Tracking Analytics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timeline-analytics.md) - [Augmented Reality Microscope Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/augmented-reality-microscope.md) - [Local Pollen Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pollen-count-tracker.md) - [Embedded Package-Tracking Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/email-package-tracking.md) - [Personal Health Trackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/geohealth.md) - [Tracker-Detecting Smartphone Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-find-my-device-network.md)