Hitwise actually predicted this week’s launch of Lively, the virtual chat world introduced Tuesday, and also predicted the Google Health service launched before it in May. It’s no magic trick, though: Analysts there started looking at data of Google’s clickstream traffic. That lets them see what types of sites are getting the most traffic from Google — and thus have highest interest to Google’s users.

“Our thinking was that Google might want to fill natural gaps in its portfolio of offerings based on the interests of its users,” Hitwise UK VP of Research Heather Hopkins explains. “We looked at which categories are receiving the most traffic from Google in which Google does not have its own property.”

Back in January, health and entertainment topped the list. The newest analysis shows cars and tunes as the most likely next targets, leading Hitwise to put its money on Google Auto and Google Music for the future.

Hitwise has sure had decent odds thus far. Might be time to place a friendly office bet and see what happens.

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Trusera, just launched today, lets users share specific healthcare experiences for others’ benefits. The site also features member endorsements to give more weight to beneficial posts. The service centers around the theme of “The Power of Been There” and does not attempt to compete with services like the recently launched Google Health, which focus on personal health records rather than shared medical experiences.

Formed by a one-time Amazon exec, Trusera is already full of personal stories and insights. Search for “surgery,” for example, and you’ll find dozens of recollections — both positive and negative — about everything from knee replacements to breast cancer-related procedures.

The site requires you to fill out a short form to request a membership, but the services inside are free and ad-supported.

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Engineers announced the launch of Google Health this afternoon. The site gives you a secure place to collect and store all your family’s medical charts and histories as well as other general health information.

“How many of us have touched, or even seen, our medical records?” asked Marissa Meyer, Google’s VP of Search Products and User Experience, in the company’s official blog.

“In this day and age of information, isn’t it crazy that you don’t have a copy of your medical records under your control? You could use those records to develop a better understanding of your health and ultimately get better care. It’s your data about your own health; why shouldn’t you own and control it?” she wrote.

Google Health will give you secure access to your medical data, regardless of what doctor or hospital you might currently be using. Companies ranging from the Cleveland Clinic to RxAmerica and even Walgreens are already on-board as partners.

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