Analysis of Keywords Used in Internet Searches for Melanoma Information: Observational Study.

Japbani K Nanda,Michael A Marchetti,Jennifer L Hay

doi:10.2196/25720

Abstract

The internet is an accessible resource for health care information and is often used by patients to learn about melanoma. The keywords that are used in internet searches can reflect internet users' interest in specific topics and the public's awareness of health-related issues. This study aims to describe the most frequently used keywords, questions, and corresponding websites in internet searches for melanoma. This is an observational study using data retrieved from Google Trends, Alexa Internet, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and SE Ranking for the keywords "melanoma" and "skin cancer." Average search interest as per Google Trends was greater for the keyword "skin cancer" than for the keyword "melanoma." Searches for the top 25 keywords in 3 databases resulted in 34 unique melanoma keywords and 33 unique skin cancer keywords. Melanoma keywords were most frequently related to clinicopathologic classification (n=11, 32%), and skin cancer keywords were most frequently about diagnosis (n=14, 42%). Questions about the prognosis of melanoma appeared most frequently among the most popular melanoma questions, but general questions or questions about the diagnosis of melanoma contributed the greatest proportion of searches by search volume. Skin cancer question searches were most commonly about diagnosis. The highest proportion of searches for popular melanoma and skin cancer keywords most frequently sent traffic to websites from nonprofit organizations and media companies, respectively. We identified common keywords, questions, and websites used to access information about melanoma on the internet. These data may help health care providers and public health professionals when educating and counseling patients and the public about skin cancer.

Highlights

In 2017, there were an estimated 1.2 million people living with invasive melanoma in the United States [1]
Given the widespread use of the internet for health information broadly and skin cancer information our objective is to describe the keywords and questions used in melanoma internet searches
We described the volume of searches, popular keyword search strategies, and popular websites accessed for information about melanoma and skin cancer on the internet

Summary

Introduction

In 2017, there were an estimated 1.2 million people living with invasive melanoma in the United States [1]. People may choose from a number of information sources to learn about melanoma, including the internet. In 2019, 90% of US adults used the internet, and 72% reported that they looked for medical or health information for themselves using a smartphone, computer, or other electronic means [2,3]. JMIR Dermatol 2021 | vol 4 | iss. 1 (page number not for citation purposes) respondents, females, those with a higher level of education, and those diagnosed with melanoma were found to be more likely to search the internet for information about their diagnosis [4]. The internet is an accessible resource for health care information and is often used by patients to learn about melanoma. The keywords that are used in internet searches can reflect internet users’ interest in specific topics and the public’s awareness of health-related issues

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion