How covid-19 has changed what we search online

With the uncertainty around lockdown measures in India last month, the pressing question on most people’s mind was whether it would be extended. In fact, this was the most trending question related to the novel coronavirus on Google in April.

As the pandemic spread, so have the fears and uncertainties around it. Many have turned to Dr. Google for answers: “What are the symptoms of coronavirus?”, “Is headache/sneezing a symptom of coronavirus?”.

Others have turned to Google on life hacks to survive the pandemic and endure the lockdown. Among the most asked how-to questions were, “how-to: make a mask? make hand sanitizer? use Zoom?” and like never before, “how to cut your own hair?”