This free service uses Wikipedia to reveal what the world is thinking about

Wikipedia Seismograph, a free service created by Tara Calishain, allows users to track spikes in traffic to any Wikipedia article, offering insight into global interest trends. Users can search for a specific Wikipedia topic and define a date range to view a graph illustrating traffic to that article. This tool enables users to identify periods of peak interest in companies, public figures, and events, providing a measure of public engagement. For instance, on February 22, traffic to Wikipedia articles for hockey players Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid saw a significant increase, coinciding with the Olympic gold medal hockey game between the U.S. and Canada where these athletes competed. The service is presented as a way to understand what the world is thinking about by analyzing user engagement with informational content. The tool is accessible via a website and is highlighted as a useful resource for various professions and general curiosity, originating from the Cool Tools newsletter.