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Google It Up! A Google Trends-Based Uncertainty Index for the United States and Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Efrem Castelnuovo

    (Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research, The University of Melbourne; Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova)

  • Trung Duc Tran

    (Department of Economics, The University of Melbourne)

Abstract

We develop uncertainty indices for the United States and Australia based on freely accessible, real time Google Trends data. Our Google Trends Uncertainty (GTU) indices are found to be positively correlated to a variety of alternative proxies for uncertainty available for these two countries. VAR investigations document an economically and statistically significant contribution to unemployment dynamics by GTU shocks in the United States. In contrast, the contribution of GTU shocks to unemployment dynamics in Australia is found to be much milder and substantially lower than that of monetary policy shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Efrem Castelnuovo & Trung Duc Tran, 2017. "Google It Up! A Google Trends-Based Uncertainty Index for the United States and Australia," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2017n27, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2017n27
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    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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