Abstract: This study explores the similarities and differences in online health information needs between surrogateseekers and self-seekers. The aim is to enhance the consultation efficiency of surrogate-seekers, assist internet healthcare professionals in optimizing consultation processes for different users, and enable online healthcare platforms to provide differentiated services based on user characteristics. Using the TextRank algorithm, this research extracts keywords from online consultation texts and refines information needs based on the ERG theory. Through manual coding, key terms and themes are identified for thematic analysis to construct online consultation behavior patterns. The study examines the online health information needs and behavior patterns of the two user groups, categorizing their information needs into eight dimensions, including consultation needs, treatment needs, and medication needs. The findings reveal that self-seekers pay significantly more attention to prognostic needs than surrogate seekers and express more prominent negative emotions. Additionally, the triggering mechanisms underlying interval behaviors and waiting behaviors differ between the two user groups in their online consultation behavior patterns.