Google Trends: Economic Blackout and Measles Outbreak See Upticks in Search Activity

From protesting corporate greed to responding to corporations rolling back DEI policies, more people are now thinking about where they spend their money. According to an analysis of Google search data, searches for boycotts and economic blackouts spiked nationwide this past week.

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The recent movement for an economic blackout was organized by the People’s Union USA, led by Chicago resident John Schwarz. It called on all Americans nationwide to refrain from spending money or shopping for 24 hours on Friday, Feb. 28.

There are several reasons people are advocating for the economic blackout, most notably due to companies rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Others are voicing concern for the Trump Administration’s plans to cut federal agencies. Many also view the blackout as a way to fight against billionaires who prioritize making a profit — often at the expense of both American workers and consumers.

Specific companies are being targeted and receiving significant criticism for rolling back DEI policies, including Target, Google, and McDonald’s. During the blackout, people shared videos of empty stores online while urging others to support local, independently owned businesses if they needed to make purchases.

Despite skepticism about the economic blackout’s ability to significantly affect large corporations, or even the broader economy, the movement has resonated with many Americans who feel frustrated by current economic conditions and corporate practices.

Measles outbreak causes growing public health concerns

According to an analysis of Google search data, the last week of February saw a notable increase in measles-related search terms in the United States.

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This rise in measles-related search activity is likely driven by the current outbreak and tragic confirmation of a measles-related death in Texas. Since the measles-related death was reported, public concern has intensified about the disease — especially among vulnerable groups such as children.

The heightened awareness of infectious diseases driven by the COVID-19 pandemic also plays a role, with more people remaining alert to health risks and what to do in response to any health outbreak, including measles.

Additionally, concerns about measles vaccinations have grown nationwide, as vaccination rates have steadily declined in recent years. In particular, kindergarten vaccination rates have become significantly lower, creating potential risks for measles to spread in vulnerable young populations.

Various public health organizations have now issued advisories to urge the public to stay vigilant with health measures and ensure their vaccinations are up to date. This, combined with increased media coverage and growing public concern, has led to rising searches related to the measles outbreak as well as symptoms to look out for.