Ever wondered how seriously your neighbors take online privacy? Webshare‘s recent deep-dive into state-by-state Google search patterns reveals this and the tactics Americans turn to when shielding their digital footprints. Each day, more and more Americans are actively seeking online privacy solutions.
The Webshare study is normalized per 100,000 residents, and found that residents of Alaska search for privacy protections more than anyone else. The study used five key privacy tactics: VPN usage, incognito mode, deleting search history, turning off location tracking, and clearing cookies. The research concluded that across all states, “turn off location tracking” was the most searched privacy method
In the mainland United States, the study found that nearly a third of Wyoming’s residents, 83,600 monthly privacy searches, revolved around private browsing windows. However, in a smaller state such as New Hampshire, nearly half of its residents’ 102,000 queries deal with cookie management.
“Digital privacy has become a mainstream concern rather than a niche interest,” says Justas B., Head of Marketing at Webshare. “What’s fascinating is how Americans are choosing accessibility over complexity. Rather than adopting sophisticated privacy tools, most people prefer simple browser-based solutions they can implement immediately. This suggests there’s still significant room for privacy education and better tool design.”
Webshare’s study found that these were the 10 most privacy-conscious states:
| State | Population | Monthly Privacy Searches | Top Privacy Tactic |
| Alaska | 744K | 126K | How to delete search history |
| Wyoming | 590K | 84K | Incognito mode |
| Delaware | 1.07M | 131K | Turn off location tracking |
| Vermont | 648K | 66K | Clear cookies |
| Rhode Island | 1.12M | 107K | VPN |
| South Dakota | 931K | 84K | Incognito mode |
| North Dakota | 804K | 72K | Clear cookies |
| Colorado | 6.01M | 453K | Clear cookies |
| New Hampshire | 1.42M | 102K | Clear cookies |
| Hawaii | 1.45M | 101K | How to delete search history |
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Credit: Webshare