Searching for the picture: forecasting UK cinema admissions using Google Trends data

Abstract

This article investigates whether Google Trends search information can improve forecasts of cinema admissions. Using monthly data for the United Kingdom for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008, we examine various forecasting models that incorporate Google Trends search information. We find clear evidence that Google Trends data on searches relevant to cinema visits (as opposed to searches for specific films) do have the potential to increase the accuracy of cinema admissions forecasting models.