The Most Popular States for Online Dating Have One Thing in Common

The holidays can be a lonely time of year for singles, which is perhaps why many people might turn to online dating when the leaves start to turn. Yet, according to new research, some parts of the United States are much more prone to swiping right than others.

To get an idea of current dating trends across all 50 states in the country, Bedbible, the sexual wellness website, analyzed dating-related Google keyword searches and found that Americans are searching dating terms a whopping average of 9,464,952 total times per month. That data was then broken down to learn the average monthly search volume by state, which indicates where online dating is most popular.

The data included 42 keywords such as "dating," "online dating," "dating apps," and "free dating sites," as well as keywords geared to specific apps. The total number of searches was then compared to the population of each state to calculate the average monthly search volume per 100,000 residents.

Interestingly enough, New England dominated, accounting for a whopping five out of the top 10 states. Maine ranked number one with an average monthly search volume of 4,276 per 100,000 people searching predominately for terms "Tinder," Match," and "Facebook dating." New Hampshire followed in second with the most popular terms related to the dating app "eHarmony." Rhode Island likewise came in third place and Vermont in fifth.

Meanwhile, Mississippi ranked dead last at the bottom of the list, with just 1,713 searches per 100,000 residents.

"Many people find the fall season to be romantic, and the cozy feeling associated with Christmas can create a picturesque and intimate setting, making it an appealing time for romantic connections," said a spokesperson for Bedbible. "It is also believed that our serotonin levels can sometimes decrease in winter. This lowers your mood, therefore becoming romantically involved with someone is one way of boosting it."

"Dating apps particularly provide a convenient way for Americans to connect with potential partners without geographical constraints," the spokesperson added.

You can see the top 10 states with the highest average monthly search volume per 100,000 residents, below:

  1. Maine (4,276 average monthly search volume)

  2. New Hampshire (3,938 average monthly search volume)

  3. Rhode Island (3,903 average monthly search volume)

  4. North Dakota (3,673 average monthly search volume)

  5. Vermont (3,567 average monthly search volume)

  6. Massachusetts (3,539 average monthly search volume)

  7. Wisconsin (3,520 average monthly search volume)

  8. Pennsylvania (3,422 average monthly search volume)

  9. Florida (3,258 average monthly search volume)

  10. Montana (3,246 average monthly search volume)