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Being what they search for
I reported in our latest Web Evangelism Bulletin how Google can predict a flu outbreak in a particular town or area long before the medical authorities, based an upsurge in geographical searches about flu. Google has a unique*, mind-blowing direct line into the minds of the planet. (*With the exception of God, of course.)
Try Google Insights for Search. Steve explains at Communicate Jesus just how strategic this tool is.
You can check how people have been searching over past days or years. For instance, look at a search for meaning of Christmas. Then check which country searched most for this – and surprisingly it is Philippines. What this tool does not appear to show is actual numbers of searches.To find these, use the Google Adwords Keyword Tool.
Or you can find out, for instance, what was on the collective heart of China last week, or Poland last year.
These tools give us ways to find bridge topics and areas of common interest for evangelism, both offline and offline. How could these tools help you – add your comment below?
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This looks interesting. Now to understand what words to check out. Can you give Google categories and have them give you the search terms?
Dave
This is a great recommendation. It’s so valuable to have an awareness of what is on the hearts and minds of the people we’re trying to serve. Google offers a number of great tools for free, we need to take advantage of this.
I think the church (not all churches, but most) are missing a great opportunity to engage people through these means like search engines. I actually just wrote a blog post on this yesterday after someone found my blog through a Google search for “ministry opportunities for 59 year olds”. (Click here to read the post.) Turns out I ranked #2 for that search phrase and was the only “Christian” resource that showed up on page 1.
The truth is that people turn to the Internet for answers long before they turn to friends or their pastor. I’m greatly encouraged that sites like Internet Evangelism Day are equipping individuals and churches to intersect with people in this way.