Google Labs created the web based application Trends in 2004. Yesterday the company announced the evolution of this tool:

The Internet search leader is expanding its existing Google Trends service to allow users to see underlying numerical data on the popularity of any particular search in Google’s vast database of search terms, relative to others.

Google Trends can be another tool for Information Architects and User Experience professionals by comparing synonyms and their use over the past couple of years. Using this knowledge, companies can begin to compare their terms with those of what people around the world are using when searching for their products and services online.

…Google is giving users the ability to search across terms in its database, instantly chart how they compare to other search terms, then export the underlying numerical data into a common spreadsheet format to compare with other data.

Findability continues to be a challenge for both the private and public sectors. It’s great to see the global leader in search improving upon tools like Trends to help organizations understand the vocabulary of end users.