New Study Reveals Which States are Turning to Google for Everyday Tech Help More Than Others

March 21, 2025

New study reveals which states are turning to Google for everyday tech help more than others

Vermont takes the top spot, with residents searching the most for basic tech help
Hawaii, Rhode Island, Wyoming, and Delaware complete the top 5, with many residents turning to Google for solutions to everyday tech challenges
Mississippi comes in last, with the fewest searches, proving they’ve got tech figured out on their own
Arkansas, Wisconsin, Texas, and Louisiana round out the bottom 5.

From setting up voicemail to figuring out screenshots, Google often comes to the rescue for millions of Americans. But where is tech confusion most widespread?

A new study by Apryse analyzed thousands of searches like “how to block a number” and “how to change Wi-Fi password” to find the states most perplexed by everyday technology.

Vermont, the nation’s second-smallest state by population, ranked first with 10,495 searches per 100,000 people. Its rural landscape and limited access to tech resources may amplify these challenges. Residents in Vermont frequently turned to Google for answers to everyday tasks like recovering deleted photos or managing notifications.

Hawaii, known for its idyllic beaches, also struggles with technology, ranking second with 10,240 searches per 100,000 residents. Its remote location could hinder access to robust tech infrastructure and professional help, making Google the go-to for troubleshooting.

Rhode Island ranks third with 9,638 searches per 100,000 residents. Despite being one of the most densely populated states, its residents face frequent tech-related roadblocks, suggesting limited local resources or support.

Wyoming (9,615 searches) and Delaware (9,515 searches) round out the top five, with both states searching for solutions to practical problems like backing up files or turning off notifications.

New Hampshire, with its rural character and small population, takes sixth place at 9,475 searches per 100,000 residents. Similarly, North Dakota, ranked seventh (9,063), frequently searched for “how to recover deleted photos,” pointing to a lack of access to tech resources.

Even states with urban centers, like Nevada (8th, 9,010 searches), faced similar issues. While Las Vegas offers glitz and glamour, its rural counterparts push the state higher in the rankings.

Maine and Utah wrap up the top 10, with 8,916 and 8,846 searches per 100,000 people, respectively. From clearing browser histories to setting up iPhone voicemail, these practical tech problems persist nationwide.

The full list of states struggling the most with technology:

Rank	State	Searches per 100k people
1	Vermont	10,495
2	Hawaii	10,240
3	Rhode Island	9,638
4	Wyoming	9,615
5	Delaware	9,515
6	New Hampshire	9,475
7	North Dakota	9,063
8	Nevada	9,010
9	Maine	8,916
10	Utah	8,846
11	New York	8,769
12	Colorado	8,680
13	Connecticut	8,645
14	Oregon	8,584
15	Massachusetts	8,511
16	Alaska	8,503
17	South Dakota	8,445
18	Montana	8,373
19	Virginia	8,364
20	North Carolina	8,249
21	Washington	8,246
22	Georgia	8,181
23	Maryland	7,996
24	Arizona	7,969
25	Illinois	7,958
26	Nebraska	7,957
27	West Virginia	7,919
28	Minnesota	7,916
29	New Jersey	7,894
30	Tennessee	7,787
31	California	7,770
32	New Mexico	7,752
33	South Carolina	7,733
34	Pennsylvania	7,655
35	Iowa	7,633
36	Idaho	7,616
37	Ohio	7,609
38	Missouri	7,558
39	Florida	7,553
40	Kentucky	7,479
41	Kansas	7,468
42	Indiana	7,444
43	Michigan	7,412
44	Alabama	7,313
45	Oklahoma	7,298
46	Louisiana	7,237
47	Texas	7,229
48	Wisconsin	7,222
49	Arkansas	7,117
50	Mississippi	6,935

Methodology

The study analyzed over 15,000 search terms across each U.S. state to determine where people struggle most with technology.

The study focused on specific keywords and phrases searched on Google, such as “how to screenshot,” “how to block a phone number,” “how to recover deleted photos,” “how to turn off notifications,” “how to back up my files,” “how to scan a QR code,” “how to clear browser history,” “how to set up voicemail on iPhone,” “how to change Wi-Fi password,” and “how to record my screen.”

The search frequency was adjusted per 100,000 residents to ensure fair comparisons across states of different sizes.

Source

Google Trends

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