What Does Your Search History Reveal About You?
One of my favorite Facebook groups centers around The Office. Daily memes and quips posted by members keep me in stitches--it’s my family’s favorite series. I regularly find myself laughing out loud at the quotes shared in the group--the quotes my own two children have repeated time and time over the years. Recently, I got lost in a thread that asked members to make the comment section look like Dwight Shrute’s search history. If you are a fan of the show, you know hilarity ensued. It really got me thinking--what does our search history say about us?
My search history reflects my skin cancer journey
It’s fairly easy to get sidetracked while working online, so my search history is incredibly random. A look at my search history would reveal everything from “best shows on Hulu right now” to “chocolate chip pudding cookies.” I like to watch TV and eat. There are some terms that dominate my search history, though. I am a skin cancer patient, a regular Efudex user, and a big sunscreen advocate. My search history blatantly says so. Here are a few of the things I have searched for over the last three months.
"Best vitamins for skin health"
Over the last year, I have become more conscious of using vitamins and herbal supplements. I wanted to know which ones give me a better shot at improving the overall condition of my skin. It turns out that Vitamin A is pretty good one.
“Sunglasses with UV protection”
Sunglasses are a staple for me, and I wanted to make sure I am getting the best eye protection possible. I decided to hunt for the internet’s best suggestions for protective eyewear. One brand that came up in the most affordable category was J+S. I was excited to see that Zenni, where I order my eyeglasses, also offers UV protection on all their prescription sunglasses. According to my search, the Mayo Clinic suggests choosing a pair of sunglasses that block anywhere from 99-100% of both types of ultraviolet light.1
“How serious is squamous cell carcinoma”
Diagnosed for the first time with SCC a few months ago, I was more than curious; I was concerned. I knew SCC was more serious than basal cell carcinoma, but I wasn’t sure if an excision for it would be more involved. My search made me feel a little better. While there is a bigger chance of SCC invading organs, the overall probability is fairly low when compared with melanoma.2
“Number one sunscreens for kids”
I teach third grade, and when we have outdoor activities planned, I like to have sunscreen on hand for those whose parents want them to apply prior to going out. Field Day is a big day for us, and sun safety is a must. There are many on the market--it’s important to me to choose a good one.
How we search has evolved
There was a time when our library cards paved the trail of our interests and curiosities. We checked out books on hobbies, read mysteries and romance novels, and researched medical conditions in hardback library edition textbooks. Today the internet is the biggest indicator of our activity and interests.
My search history tells a story
Our search histories can reveal a lot of things about our lives. Mine is telling a story about skin cancer advocacy with the occasional search for the punchline to a joke my kids have sent me, how to make homemade donuts or Disney discounts are thrown in for good measure.
What skin cancer-related topics do you search for?
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