Odds are when most people go to their computer to search for information on any given topic, they will use Google. The site itself has garnered so much support, that the term “google” has become a verb. According to numbers put forth by Nielsen//NetRatings, Google consistently has over a 50% share of total online searches, something that should come as no surprise to the internet savvy. To begin, it seemed that Google was going to expand their empire by developing their technology in house, but a clear statement was made after the acquirement of internet video giant, YouTube. The only question that could be asked is where they would expand next.

Last week, CNNMoney.com brought forth rumblings of something that may be on Google’s radar; medical information. According to a Harris Poll in July, “The number of U.S. adults who have ever gone online to look for health or medical information has increased to approximately 160 million up from about 136 million last year.” With this increase in the number of “cyberchondriacs” online, it would not come as a surprise that Google might set their sights on internet health giant, WebMD.

Although it has been said that WebMD is not currently looking to sell, some changes in the administration of Google Health seem to indicate that a change may be coming.

Searchengineland.com ran a story explaining that the Google Vice President of Product Management, Adam Bosworth, who was crucial in the development of Google Health, “is now on vacation and has decided to pursue other opportunities after that.” Under Bosworth, Google Health has operated as more of a tool to help organize medical information for users, as opposed to offering their own. With the separation of the site from its architect, one might think that Google could be looking to purchase a health care site. Acknowledging that fact, WebMD would be the logical choice. Considering everything Google seems to touch turns to gold, the cyberchondriacs of the world should keep a watchful eye on the horizon and see what happens.