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“Why”, the flagship question of 2020 in France

“Why”:a common but revealing question of a particular trend. The year 2020 is a special year, marked not only by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also by other notable events. Thus, during this year, Google searches start a lot with the question “why”. Why are they saying COVID, not COVID? Why stay isolated for 14 days at home? And why is the PCR test done in the nose? Questions that show a strong will to inform themselves, to know why, precisely.

Why, the quest for online information to better understand current events

Despite constant media relays on major issues and events around the world… Internet users want more than ever to be part of their information. The pandemic raises many questions from everyone, individuals and business leaders. Faced with the many information and statements, for them, it is not always easy to find your way around.

For companies, the questions are most often related to aid and all regulations relating to activity in times of pandemic. Indeed, there is a wide range of aid, depending on the sector and on certain modalities. On search engines, all measurements and aids are detailed,allowing business leaders to see more clearly. Thus, this way of informing, to know the “why of how” allows to dig the information that one needs. Depending on the case, the subject of the research varies.

Why do Google searches work so well in times of crisis? Given the many announcements and the devices taken, the media can only present them in broad outline. On online sites, such as the Government or Regions, the ads are more detailed, so that everyone can find their way around.

Thus, the questions that start with “Why” in search engines like Google reveal a desire for knowledge. A need to dig deeper to be fully informed about everything. In times of confinement, in particular, the computer tool allows to stay connected to the world, and to follow the news in addition to the news among others. But a Google search allows you to get an accurate answer directly.

Google sees a change in behaviour also among households

The first containment of March 2020 was an unprecedented event for the French. A first that changed their habits and the way they work. For two months, travel was impossible except in exceptional cases, and the work could no longer take place in the office. The country was at a standstill at the time, a situation that no one had yet known.

This containment was already contributing to the increase in internet searches. How do you make your own mask? Why do we have to confine ourselves? Common questions, but also new interests, evolving hobbies. For example, playing a sport in a club or in a gym was not possible, it is still not possible at the moment.

So the volume of Google searches for distance sports courses or sports programs has increased exponentially. At the end of March 2020, in particular, the search for “online sport” peaked. Pic found in early November 2020, when the second containment was announced. Households are therefore concerned about their health and fitness, hence the progress of this search on Google.

Also during this period, Google searches for cooking, pastry or DIY tutorials have grown sharply. Progress is explained by the desire to learn manual activities, whether to redecorate its interior … Or do long-planned work. For many, containment was also an opportunity to carry out pending projects. Activities that occupy, to remove the boredom felt during this period of confinement.

Telework, a factor of change in everyday life

Thus, Google reveals a developing trend, especially with episodes of containment. A need to know why, what is happening in the world, to be connected in real time to information. With online articles and official sources, users can find the information they are interested in more quickly. An opportunity to cross-reference sources, but also to learn about facts that are not always relayed to television news.

Google contributes to information, especially in times of pandemic. The majority of employees work in telework, using search engines on a daily basis. With technological advances, asking a question allows you to get the answer directly. A way to see it more clearly in a period where we advance “day to day” …

Sources:

  1. Internet Search Trends in 2020 – Think With Google, December 2020
  2. Trends for the “Online Sport” query (France over the last 12 months) – Google Trends
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