The Barbie Effect: How the Film Increased Google Searches

The Barbie film, directed by Greta Gerwig, took the world by storm last summer. Pink outfits stuffed movie theatres on July 21, 2023, and the film made $155 million in its opening weekend, making it one of the highest-grossing films… ever. 

It seems like we all needed something to get excited about, and Barbie absolutely delivered. But besides the childhood memories, Ryan Gosling’s hilarity, and the iconic outfits, Barbie influenced viewers in more ways than we realize.

A new study published in JAMA on July 25, almost a year after Barbie was released, found that one scene—the ending of the film—increased Google searches. 

After Barbie decides to leave Barbieland (spoiler alert incoming) for the real world she, being notoriously genital-less, walks up to a receptionist sitting at a desk and says innocently and excitedly, “I’m here to see my gynecologist!” 

The movie cuts to black. 

Researchers involved in the study decided that this must have been the line that led to an increase in public interest in women’s healthcare and gynecologic care. 

To conduct the study, researchers analyzed search trends following the release of the film. They focused on 34 questions that related to gynecologic care, women’s health, or medical care. Then, they decided to further group those queries into more specific categories like “gynecologist,” “gynecologist definition”, “gynecologist appointment,” “women’s health,” “doctor,” and “doctor’s appointment.” Using Google Trends and Glimpse, the researchers followed search trends over a year after the film was released. 

The study states that no other relevant events took place during that time that would have impacted search queries related to gynecology other than Barbie. 

Researchers did make sure to take into account predicted search volumes, which they based on weekly search data from 2022. 

After the study was finished, researchers found that Barbie led to a 51% increase in relation to the terms “gynecologist” and “gynecologist definition.” There was also a whopping 154% increase in phrases like “Do I need a gynecologist” 

This isn’t the first time there’s been a link between pop culture and health behaviors. The study mentions Katie Couric’s live-streamed colonoscopy, which influenced a 21% increase in colonoscopies, and Angelia Jolie’s essay about her breast cancer, which led to a 64% increase in women getting tested for the BRCA gene. 

This led the researchers to believe that Barbie directly influenced the search for the word “gynecologist.” 

So, while the research recognizes an uptick in searches, it looks like most people were trying to figure out what the word “gynecologist” meant, not necessarily making appointments or seeking care. Essentially, when Barbie learned what a gynecologist was, it seemed like the public did too. 

Researchers wrote that the film spurred an interest in gynecology and could directly raise awareness, however, it was not associated with taking direct action. In fact, the researchers aren’t sure if the Google searches were done by men, women, or children, meaning that a young person who just saw the film may have been Googling the term out of confusion in the theater. 

Gerwig told USA Today that the final line in the film was meant to be impactful. She explained that when she was growing up, she felt embarrassed and ashamed about her body. 

She said, “And then to see Margot as Barbie, with this big old smile on her face, saying what she says at the end with such happiness and joy. I was like, if I can give girls that feeling of, ‘Barbie does it, too’ – that’s both funny and emotional. There are so many things like that throughout the movie. It was always about looking for the levity and the heart.”

Barbie’s directness may also have worked to encourage awareness. It clearly got people typing and engaging with the term. Moreover, Barbie’s execution is done with a massive smile, not something we always associate with the word “gynecologist.” But Gerwig’s direction makes us recalibrate and think of the gynecologist as something positive—where taking our health into consideration is an empowering act. 

Barbie thinks talking about our reproductive health is cool, so let’s try and make it cooler. 

Why Gynecology Appointments Are Important 

Maybe you’re a Barbie Googler or someone who needs a yearly reminder, but seeing a gynecologist is essential for maintaining a woman’s health. 

So, what exactly does an appointment accomplish? An annual exam is imperative for monitoring any issues or changes that could potentially become a larger issue in the future. Your gynecologist will perform a pelvic exam to look for unusual growths and typically test for sexually transmitted infections as well. A Pap smear is different from a pelvic exam and is performed apart from the yearly exam. It is a test sent to a laboratory for examination of cancer cells. 

If you have irregular menstrual cycles, are on birth control, have painful intercourse, experience changes in vaginal discharge, have urinary issues, or are pregnant, you’ll need to make a gynecology appointment. 

How To Prepare for a Gynecology Appointment

For many people—but not Barbie—visiting the gynecologist is anxiety-inducing. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that women begin visiting the gynecologist between 13 to 15 years old all the way until 65 years old. 

Preparing for an appointment is pretty straightforward forward but knowing these tips can make the appointment go much smoother and easier. 

• Wear comfortable clothing. 
• Don’t pee before your appointment in case you need to give a urine sample. 
• Write down any medical history so that you don’t forget it when in the doctor’s office. 
• Avoid visiting the gynecologist when you’re on your period. 
• Avoid having sex the night before as it can impact testing. 
• Don’t groom too much before an appointment as it can cause discomfort and irritation. 
• Bring a friend, partner, or family member. 
• Be aware that you are able to ask for special equipment during your exam like softer and disposable speculums since they may be uncomfortable for some people. 
• Call beforehand if you have any questions or bring questions to your appointment. 

Overall, visiting the gynecologist is a part of maintaining the health of your vagina, uterus, and ovaries. Remind yourself that you are in control and can always dictate when a doctor should stop what they are doing or explain something more thoroughly if you are uncomfortable. 

Going in with confidence, just like Barbie, can ensure that you’ll have an easy and essential experience.