One of the best near realtime (i.e., one month delay) indicators of translation services demand lies in monitoring search engine traffic on relevant keywords and phrases. Using the Google keyword tool we find that February 2009 searches on the phrase “translation services” was approximately 201,000, while the preceding 12-month average was around 301,000 searches per month.

The percentage reduction on some language specific searches is even greater. February 2009 Google searches on the phrase “spanish translation services” totals around 49,500 while the 12-month average is just less than twice that at 90,500.

For these numbers we needn’t rely on speculation about the market. Internet searches, in particular Google since it receives just over 60% of US originating searches (more in Europe) is a pretty darned good measurement of what’s on people minds … and when. The trend will be interesting to watch as monthly totals begin (hopefully) to creep back up toward the trailing averages as economic conditions improve as a result of (or despite … depending on your view) the government’s economic recovery measures.