In the age of Google, the internet has become our go-to for just about everything—recipes, directions, life hacks, and yes, even health advice. But when it comes to our health, are we taking a huge risk by relying on quick online searches? Orthopedic surgeon and sports doctor Dr. Manan Vora doesn’t think twice about saying, “One quick Google search is not research.” He’s shared this in his Instagram videos, urging people to rethink the way they seek health information online.
Let’s dive into why a quick Google search could be leading us astray and how it may actually be more dangerous than we realize.
A 2019 study from the American Journal of Medicine reviewed the accuracy of online health information and found that only a fraction of sites provided accurate medical advice.
Google’s algorithm often prioritizes popular content over medically accurate information, which means reliable advice may be buried beneath clickbait or less credible sources.
When we search online, we’re more likely to find results that align with what we suspect, rather than what’s necessarily true.
Take a simple symptom like a headache. Google that, and you might see everything from “stress-related headache” to “brain tumor.” Without the context that a trained healthcare provider brings, it’s easy to spiral into worry or, worse, miss the real cause entirely.
With the rise of AI-powered health summaries, there’s an illusion of getting a fast, expert-like answer. But recent research published in Nature Digital Medicine suggests that while AI can provide information, it lacks the nuanced, individualized understanding of a trained medical professional.
Dr. Manan Vora warns, “People base their health decisions on a simple Google search, and this can lead to big problems in the future.”
A study in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking identified a new phenomenon called “cyberchondria”—where online self-diagnosis leads to increased health anxiety. Searching symptoms online can sometimes worsen anxiety, as people often jump to the most alarming conclusions.
Here are a few ways to use online health information wisely without risking your well-being:
Stick to Reliable Sources: If you’re looking for general health info, go to reputable websites that provide accurate, research-based information.
Consult a Healthcare Professional: If something feels off, don’t play doctor. Talk to a real one. They’ll assess your symptoms, history, and any other details an AI or search engine can’t consider.
Use the Internet as a Supplement, Not the Authority: The internet is great for a quick overview, but think of it as an appetizer, not the main course. Let your doctor be the one to give you the full, accurate picture.
In a world where information is only a click away, it’s easy to get lulled into thinking we can research our way to perfect health. But, as Dr. Manan Vora reminds us, “A simple Google search is not research.” For real, personalized health advice, nothing beats speaking to a trained healthcare professional. So, next time you’re tempted to search your symptoms, remember that the answers Google provides may not be the answers you need.
Scullard, P., Peacock, C., & Davies, P. (2010). Googling children’s health: reliability of medical advice on the internet. The Archives of Disease in Childhood
Topol, E. (2019). High-performance medicine: the convergence of human and artificial intelligence. Nature Medicine
Starcevic, V., & Berle, D. (2013). Cyberchondria: An old phenomenon in a new guise? In Mental Health in the Digital Age. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
