Google Trends as a Tool for Evaluating Public Interest in Facial Cosmetic Procedures

The 2018 study found that Google Trends search volumes for specific facial cosmetic procedures, such as "eyelid plastic surgery," "facelift," "lip injections," and "rhinoplasty surgery," had significant positive correlations with the actual number of these procedures performed, as reported by the ASPS and ASAPS. This suggests that Google Trends can be a valuable tool for plastic surgeons to gauge public interest in certain cosmetic surgeries and could help in optimizing marketing strategies. The study also noted seasonal trends in searches and the influence of celebrity procedures on public interest, but it acknowledged limitations like the exclusion of non-Google search engines and the inability to discern the searcher's intent. Despite these limitations, the study concluded that Google Trends has potential for assisting plastic surgeons in understanding and leveraging trends in public interest, although further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and accuracy.