Mapping the landscape of mental health research through Google Trends: Bibliometric and thematic insights

Aim: The rise of Internet usage has introduced innovative methods for public health research, particularly using Google Trends to understand mental health issues. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis of research utilizing Google Trends for mental health. Methods: We conducted a literature search on Scopus focusing on peer‐reviewed articles from January 2010 to May 2024. Bibliometric analysis included descriptive statistics, bibliographic coupling, keyword co‐occurrence, and coauthorship networks. Qualitative content analysis identified themes in the study objectives. Results: The bibliometric analysis revealed an increase in publications post‐pandemic. The bibliographic coupling analysis identified the Journal of Medical Internet Research as central, with significant connections to journals like JMIR Public Health and Surveillance and BMC Public Health. Keyword co‐occurrence highlighted themes such as “mental health,” “COVID‐19,” “anxiety,” and “social media.” Author co‐citation and coauthorship analyses showed strong closely linked collaborations, with a few central authors leading the research. Coauthor country analysis revealed limited international collaborations, particularly involving the United States and the United Kingdom. Content analysis identified six major themes: economic and social impacts, mental health during public health emergencies, online behavior, specific conditions and treatments, public health policies, and psychological and social impacts. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of Google Trends in mental health research, revealing key trends and thematic focuses. The findings contribute to understanding the current research landscape and offer a foundation for future studies leveraging digital tools for mental health insights.