The Google Economic Index, GEI, is based on the theory that internet searches are a solid measure of the economy. In the same way that Consumer Confidence is predictive of economic performance, I hypothesize that the number of hits, the degree of auto-completion, and the frequency of search for certain phrases can be indicative and predictive of economic health. If you are interested in aiding or publishing my research, please email for complete methodology and formulas.
I give you the first ever GEI:
|
Search Term |
Hits (in 1000) |
GEI Wght |
Auto Comp Factor |
GEI Score |
| I Would Rather Spend Money On My Dog Than My Boyfriend |
132.00 |
0.4 |
0.1 |
5.28 |
| My 401k Sucks Monkey Nuts |
23.00 |
0.3 |
0.1 |
0.69 |
| I Can’t Afford To Drink |
4,111.00 |
0.85 |
0.7 |
2446.05 |
| Will Work For Booze |
4,360.00 |
0.87 |
0.7 |
2655.24 |
| Pawn My Engagement Ring |
123.00 |
0.45 |
0.5 |
27.675 |
| Sell My Boyfriend’s Stuff |
6,610.00 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
661 |
| I’m So Broke I’m Eating My Cat’s Food |
238.00 |
0.6 |
0.45 |
64.26 |
| The Unemployed Diet – I Lost 40lbs |
175.00 |
0.64 |
0.61 |
68.32 |
| Starbucks Vs. Street Working To Pay The Electric Bill |
2,500.00 |
0.36 |
0.1 |
90 |
| How To Steal Cable |
275.00 |
0.68 |
0.85 |
158.95 |
| Can I Hock My Louboutin’s |
63.20 |
0.85 |
0.2 |
10.744 |
| Recycling Condoms |
369.00 |
0.64 |
0.8 |
188.928 |
| How Much Money Does A Prostitute Actually Make* |
1,310.00 |
0.7 |
0.5 |
458.5 |
| Will Food Stamps Pay For Caviar |
13.90 |
0.6 |
0.2 |
1.668 |
| Will Work For Camel Lights |
290.00 |
0.65 |
0.3 |
56.55 |
| Wine In A Box Is The New Black |
2,830.00 |
0.43 |
0.5 |
608.45 |
| Is Mascara Tax Deductible |
9.84 |
0.57 |
0.3 |
1.68264 |
| Can I Get Paid For My Snuggie Endorsement |
1.19 |
0.87 |
0.2 |
0.20706 |
| What’s The Profit Margin On Cocaine |
28.70 |
0.43 |
0.2 |
2.4682 |
| Bill Gates + Paternity Tests |
31.80 |
0.85 |
0.67 |
18.1101 |
| How Long Can I Eat Ramen Before I Die |
16.50 |
0.86 |
0.34 |
4.8246 |
| How Old Is Too Old To Borrow From My Parents And Still Be A Man |
198.00 |
0.75 |
0.32 |
47.52 |
| My Job Really Doesn’t Suck That Much |
2,120.00 |
0.77 |
0.45 |
734.58 |
| How To Be A Kept Man |
30,600.00 |
0.56 |
0.4 |
6854.4 |
| Seriously I Can Get Paid To Blog Right |
31,200.00 |
0.45 |
0.2 |
2808 |
| Can I Get Paid To Donate Blood |
259.00 |
0.78 |
0.8 |
161.616 |
| Google Economic Index Rating |
18135.7 |
Index Ratings greater than 15,000 are an indication that we’re screwed.
Research Associate Makeup Text Julie contributed immeasurably to this research.
* number of hits and auto completion factor maybe higher than in your experiments because the words attorney and prostitute were used interchangeably.
This theory was inspired in part by The Soft Lounge Blog.
_______________________
You know it is Wednesday and I took my turn as contributing editor at DC Blogs. Go on check out that which moved me more than most this past week.
And here are a few links I also was digging but couldn’t use in the round-up for whatever reason:
DC Metrocentric reports that Nathan’s is hanging in there for the moment. I hate that this drinking institution may close at the end of March, but if it does there must be a happy hour first.
Because I am all about helping a blogger out… Scarlet of Scarlet Letters gets medieval on one of her internet stalkers/ex as she gives him one last chance to wave a graceful electronic goodbye before the gloves are removed. A cautionary tale if ever there was.
Posted by restaurant refugee 
