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Who is the Most Sought-After Economist? Ranking Economists Using Google Trends

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Abstract

This paper uses Google Trends to rank economists and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using Google Trends compared with other ranking methods, like those based on citations or downloads. I find that search intensity rankings based on Google Trends data are only modestly correlated with more traditional measures of scholarly impact; hence, search intensity statistics can provide additional information, allowing one to show a more comprehensive picture of academics’ impact. In addition, search intensity rankings can help to illustrate the variety in economists’ careers that can lead to fame and allows a comparison of the current impact of both contemporaneous and past economists. Complete rankings can be found at https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/NHZJLA.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Coupé, 2021. "Who is the Most Sought-After Economist? Ranking Economists Using Google Trends," Working Papers in Economics 21/02, University of Canterbury, Department of Economics and Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:cbt:econwp:21/02
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    File URL: https://repec.canterbury.ac.nz/cbt/econwp/2102.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economists; rankings; Google Trends; performance measurement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • B30 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - General

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