Help us learn how technology can transform suicide prevention.
Study enrollment complete
3.5 billion searches are completed on Google each day.
What did you search for today?
We search for the lyrics to our favorite songs. We look for funny cat videos on YouTube to brighten a dark day. We ask Google to help us understand what is happening halfway across the world. We search for ways to give back to our communities. Sometimes, we search for answers to questions that we don’t ask anyone else.
What if even a fraction of those searches could help ensure that people who are experiencing distress or thoughts of suicide are offered the help that they need, when they need it?
Can the way we search the internet every day create technology to transform suicide prevention?
The University of Washington has completed recruiting for a federally funded study to collect data from 1,000 volunteers age 18 or older with suicidal thoughts to discover if information from Google or YouTube searches could be used to detect early signs of distress or suicidal thinking.
How it works
After enrolling in the study, we will show you how to securely donate your Google search and YouTube data to the research team. You will speak with a member of our study team at the beginning of the study to discuss how you are feeling and your own experience with thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Over the next 12 months, we will reach out periodically to check in with how you are doing by sending you surveys to complete. As you fill out these surveys, you will earn Amazon gift codes. You can participate from anywhere! The study is fully remote – you just need the internet and a personal Gmail account to participate.
FAQs
Are you enrolling?
No enrollment for this study has ended.
Who is eligible?
English speaking adults aged 18 and up, living in the United States, who have had a personal Google account for at least one year.
How long is the study?
The study lasts 12 months with most of the activity happening in the first week or so, followed by periodic surveys from the study team.
I’m enrolled in the study and need help troubleshooting my data donation.
Head over to Searchlight Data Donation FAQ for people who are already enrolled in the study.
Will I get paid?
Yes! You may receive up to $240 in Amazon gift codes for completing all study procedures.
Is the study safe?
Yes! The study is closely monitored by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Washington.
How is my information stored?
All personal data is encrypted. We will never sell your information.
Where can I find the Privacy Policy & Terms of Service?
Here is the live link to the Privacy Statement.
Here is the live link to the Terms of Service
Contact us.
Recruitment for this study has ended, but if you have any specific questions for our team, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out with any questions about the study. This email is monitored Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific time. We will do our best to get back to you within 2 business days.
If you need help right now – do not use this site. Call 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ or text HOME to 741741 to get connected with help immediately.
