Cyberchondria: Online Traces of Digital Health Concerns in the World and Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analyze global and Turkish online search trends for "cyberchondria," a condition where individuals seek health information online, often leading to self-diagnosis due to distrust in healthcare professionals or excessive internet use. Method: The analysis was conducted using Google Trends data from January 10, 2020, to January 10, 2025, focusing on the keywords “Cyberchondria” and “Siberchondria” to assess search volumes and patterns. Findings: The findings indicate that in Turkey, the most common search queries included “what is cyberchondria?” with notable search spikes in 2020 and 2022, peaking during winter. The regions with the highest search volumes were Ağrı, Kayseri, and Ankara. Globally, “Cyberchondria” was the most searched term, with the Philippines, particularly the Cagayan Valley, leading the interest. Turkey ranked 19th globally, with the highest interest observed in 2022 and 2024, primarily in the spring. Conclusion: These insights highlight the need for region-specific digital health strategies and the development of reliable platforms to improve public health literacy and provide accurate health information.