Playing Wordle: The Most Coveted Skill in America?
Yep, that’s right. “How to play Wordle” is the most searched-for how-to guide in the entire country, appearing as the top search in a staggering 26 states. Perhaps the most amazing part is that if people are wondering how you can go about playing, you just type in Wordle and then that’s it. And if they’re searching for, say, optimal words to use, why? It’s a game. It’s meant to be fun!
Okay, that’s not exactly the DIY guide you might expect, but it’s better than Tennessee’s top search: how to sell feet pics. Yeah, there’s that. We know there’s not much to do in many parts of Tennessee, but still. Maybe our data is off. Something might be afoot.
Some other interesting how-to searches from across the U.S. include the following:
- New Jersey: How to get unbanned from Omegle (we didn’t know you could GET banned on Omegle)
- Alabama: How to watch 1883 (a show about the Midwest more popular in Alabama than anywhere else. Adds up)
- Missouri and Wyoming: How to watch Yellowstone season 5 (Wyoming, sure. Missouri, though?)
- Kansas, Michigan, and Nevada: How to win Fortnite
It’s not that these things aren’t worthy of a quick Google search, but when “how to win Fortnite” is the most popular how-to search in three states and “how to register to vote” only took first place in two states, it makes you think a little about where our society is headed, no?
When “how to sell feet pics” hits the top search in more states, we’re moving abroad.
Hip-Hop Dance Video Tutorials More Popular Than Any Other How-To
Throughout all 50 states, and out of every possible how-to search term, more Americans search for “how to get sturdy” on YouTube than anything else. In case you don’t know, and your mind has already started to wander, “getting sturdy” is doing a dance that was popularized on TikTok. So, of course, it’s the most searched-for how-to video on the internet, coming in at number one in 19 states.
“How to make money online” appeared the next most often, in THREE states: Idaho, New Mexico, and Rhode Island. So, approximately 8 times as many people want to learn how to dance for TikTok than to earn money. Though…those two things are pretty much synonymous now.
Below are some interesting how-to video searches that hit the number-one spot in different states:
- Nebraska: How to fold a fitted sheet (spoiler alert: it’s impossible)
- New Jersey: How to get Sonic in Sonic Speed Simulator (must not be a very good simulator)
- Hawaii: How to meditate (ironic searching for how to disconnect on the internet)
- Arkansas: How to use chopsticks (350 miles inland, hope they’re not eating sushi)
Wrapping Up: How-Tos No Longer Just for Homeowners
Of all the how-to guides Americans search for, there are none more popular than playing Wordle and getting steady, a hip-hop dance that’s popular on social media.
Years ago, how-to guides and videos mostly taught people about home improvement and real-world skills. Now, people want to learn how to dance, play online games, and sell pictures of their feet to strangers. We’re not saying these aren’t totally worth “skills” to learn, but we will say that social media has changed our society forever.
Whether that’s a good or bad thing might depend on how many followers you have on TikTok and how nice your pedicure is.
Methodology
We analyzed Google Trends for search terms and volume in the U.S. between July 2022 and July 2023. We separated the data by searches on Google and YouTube, as well as by state. We also collected the search volume increase for different key terms over that time frame to assess changes in interest over that year.
Fair Use
You can use our data and graphics for any non-commercial purpose you might need. Please just link back to this page as a source to credit the creators.