A Google Trend analysis of online searches for stroke

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, Australia has embraced the digital revolution. Search engines, including Google, form a critical infrastructure for accessing health-related educational information. Examining how the Australian public searches for stroke health-related information online can provide valuable insights into trends, behaviours and priorities. AIM: To investigate the patterns and trends of public online interest in stroke-related content in Australia during 2020-2025. METHODS: A Google Trends analysis using the search term 'Stroke' between 4th June 2020 and 4th June 2025, restricted to Australia and categorised under 'Health' was conducted. Results are presented as relative normalised search volume or query index, that are expressed from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). RESULTS: Annual median search interest over the five-year study period were compared with weekly query index scores. The median search interest for stroke in Australia held a query index of 80.5, with fluctuations ranging from a low of 49 (last week of December 2021) to 100 query index (first week of May 2023). Search interest by geographical location, revealed South Australia had the highest query index of 100, while the Australian Capital Territory reported lowest query index of 78. Australian's top 10 'related topics' and 'related queries' with associated growth volumes highlighted searches on stroke causes, initial treatments, symptom presentation and emergency response escalation. The results also identified Australians search for information about public figures with a reported stroke diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The Australian public searches online for specific stroke-specific health information. We observed associated influence of celebrity and media on public interest for stroke health information.