Google Trends: How Social Media Can Influence What People Search Most
How Social Media Users Can Control News Searches
It is no surprise that users of social media (essentially) control what is trending at one period of time, and what isn’t anymore. Whether it’s the latest TikTok dance that you must devote your day to learn or a major world event such as the Russo-Ukrainian War or the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
But, as many of us have heard the famous quote from the renowned Winston Churchill, “With great power comes great responsibility”, we sometimes forget the power we possess as social media users. Ultimately, not taking responsibility for this same power is able to manipulate search engines such as Google. We tend to blame the mass majority, even though we are part of it.
In this Google Trends chart below, we can see that Ukraine had more interest over time than Russia did. 100–66 at its highest point in favor of Ukraine to be exact. And Israel over Hamas in the same manner.
You would have to hide under a rock to miss all of the reposts and flags in the bios of these users who are part of the mass majority. This can almost be called a syndrome, or in other words, an “I don’t want to play with you anymore” act from these social movement supporters on social media as they move from one conflict to the next, leaving the previous one in the dust. Unfortunately, more times than not, the conflict is just trending, and as humans, users support the topic because everyone else is. It just so happens that with the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, users are now faced with the challenge of which side to support as social media has not (yet) made a decision for them.
How (Social) Media Coverage Can Hype a Prospect and Their Team
Chicago sports fans have been let down by their teams for the past few years. But arguably, no fans have been as heartbroken as Chicago Blackhawks fans. It seemed not that long ago when the Blackhawks were dominating the NHL when they won three Stanley Cups in a span of six years. But, the last time the cup made its way through a downtown parade in Chicago was in 2015, and since Blackhawks have gone through some hardship.
With many disappointing seasons to come after this 2015 cup win, the team fell apart. Ultimately ending an era with the trade of four-time All-Star forward Patrick Kane and the departure of the team’s longest-tenured Captain Jonathan Toews at the end of the 2022–23 season.
But, for Blackhawks fans, there was light at the end of the long tunnel when they ended up winning the NHL draft lottery and having a chance at drafting top-prospect Connor Bedard with the first-overall pick. When this news was revealed, a new era of Chicago Blackhawks hockey was sparked, and upon being drafted, his face was everywhere, even before being drafted as well. Social media users following any sports-related account couldn’t miss it either. Connor Bedard was now a Chicago Blackhawk. And, not only did he become the face of the team, but a huge marketing piece for the league.
June 28 of this year was the 2023 NHL Entry draft in which the forward was drafted first overall by Chicago. It’s clear to see that his name was searched more often than the Blackhawk's as his face was all over the NHL’s social media accounts. Chicagoans must’ve been thinking, “Kyle, you better draft this kid”, which Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson did exactly. Leading up to the prospect tournament and pre-season starting Sep. 28, searches for the Blackhawks in Chicago became more prevalent, and eventually reached their highest when 18-year-old Connor Bedard played in his first NHL game, then scored his first NHL Goal in his second game against Boston.
