Ranking Thirukkural by Web Popularity: Analyzing Google Search Results with Scholarly Rigor
—Dr. Jothi S. Themozhi
The Digital Dilemma: Can Search Data Reflect Literary Fame?
In a bold attempt to map the popularity of all 1,330 Thirukkural couplets, one researcher turns to Google—an unconventional yet data-rich platform. The plan? Use Google search result counts to rank each couplet by popularity.
But this method prompts a deeper, critical question:
What does the “number of results” from a Google search actually measure?
To design a methodologically sound study, researchers must first understand the limitations and nuances of using this digital data source.
Search Strategies: ‘All Results’ vs. ‘Verbatim’
The first major decision is choosing the search method. Google offers two fundamentally different modes:
All Results (Default):
-Finds synonyms
-Corrects spelling
-May omit words
-Tailors results based on user history and location
-Example result count: 4,500,000
Verbatim Mode:
-Searches exact phrase as typed
-No synonyms or auto-corrections
-Offers consistent, reproducible results
-Example result count: 120,000
Choosing ‘Verbatim’ mode and using exact phrases in quotes (e.g., "exact couplet text") is essential for data reliability.
The Myth of Precision: What Google Really Tells Us
Google’s result count, often mistaken for a hard metric, is a broad estimate based on how many web pages it has indexed with the search terms. While appealing for its scale, this number comes with substantial caveats:
Advantages:
-Easily accessible
-Reflects global web presence
-Encourages scalable analysis
Limitations:
-Highly imprecise estimate
-Affected by hidden algorithms
-Varies by user and geography
-Reflects web presence—not real-world popularity
-Results fluctuate frequently
Six Hidden Pitfalls in Search-Based Literary Analysis:
1. Estimated, Not Exact
Google clearly warns users that its result counts are only rough approximations—unsuitable as a stand-alone metric in serious research.
2. Algorithmic Influence
Over 200 unseen ranking factors affect search outcomes. A couplet could rank high due to SEO tricks rather than genuine popularity.(SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization)
3. Personalization Bias
Results vary depending on who searches, where, and when. This makes data replication incredibly difficult.
4. Web Presence ≠ Popularity
A widely duplicated couplet might dominate result counts—even if few people actually read or value it.
5. Volatile Data Landscape
Google updates its index continuously. A search at 9 AM may yield very different results than the same search at 4 PM.
6. The Ecological Fallacy
Inferring individual-level insights from aggregate web data can be misleading. Web frequency does not equal cultural significance.
Building a More Credible Research Framework:
Despite its flaws, Google search data can still serve as a component of a larger analytical framework. A few strategic enhancements can boost its credibility:
1. Precision in Search Technique
Use ‘Verbatim’ mode exclusively. Enclose each couplet in double quotes for consistent phrasing and phrase order.
2. Standardize the Research Environment
Combat personalization by using:
-Incognito browsing
-VPN to standardize location (A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates a secure, encrypted connection over the internet.)
-Consistent logging of search date and time
3. Embrace the Imperfections
Clearly state in the final paper that data reflects estimated web presence. Collect multiple data points to analyze consistency (average and standard deviation).
4. Triangulate Your Metrics
Combine Google data with:
-Literary citation frequency (academic papers, news, blogs)
-Surveys/interviews with Tamil scholars
-Appearance in school curricula or anthologies
This multipronged strategy offers richer, more reliable conclusions about each couplet’s cultural relevance.
Conclusion: Search Wisely, Analyze Deeply
Google is a powerful but slippery tool for literary analysis. Alone, it risks misrepresentation. With rigor and triangulation, however, it can help shine new light on ancient wisdom like the Thirukkural—revealing how digital footprints mirror enduring textual resonance.
Thanks to : Thamizhanangu-July 2025 - (Pages : 15-18)
"Ranking Thirukkural by Web Popularity: Analyzing Google Search Results with Scholarly Rigor"
— Dr. Jothi S. Themozhi
https://archive.org/details/thamizhanangu-july-2025/page/15/mode/2up
#தமிழணங்கு, #திருக்குறள், #English, #Themozhi


