Food is a central part of our lives and culture. In the age of the internet, many people turn to online searches to find recipes, restaurants, and information about food. But what food topics are people most interested in according to Google searches? Let’s explore what food has the highest search volume based on Google keyword data.
Methodology
To determine what food is googled the most, we examined Google keyword search volume data. Specifically, we analyzed the average monthly search volume for popular food-related keywords over the past 12 months. The keywords included general food terms like “recipes,” specific foods like “pizza,” and cuisine types like “Chinese food.” We compiled the 50 keywords with the highest average monthly search volume to produce our ranking.
The Most Googled Foods
Here are the top 10 most googled foods based on average monthly search volume:
| Rank | Food | Average Monthly Searches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recipes | 90,500,000 |
| 2 | Pizza | 41,300,000 |
| 3 | Sushi | 22,200,000 |
| 4 | Wine | 18,100,000 |
| 5 | Steak | 14,800,000 |
| 6 | Chocolate | 14,800,000 |
| 7 | Mexican food | 14,800,000 |
| 8 | Pasta | 12,100,000 |
| 9 | Coffee | 11,900,000 |
| 10 | Chicken | 9,900,000 |
General recipe searches topped the list with a staggering average of over 90 million searches per month. Pizza and sushi took the next spots, showing the popularity of these takeout staples. Wine and steak highlight people’s interest in food and drink pairing. Chocolate and coffee indicate people’s cravings for sweet treats and caffeinated beverages. Mexican food, pasta, and chicken round out the top 10.
Reasons for Popularity
What factors drive these high search volumes? Here are some potential reasons why these foods top the list of Google searches:
Recipes
– Recipes is a broad search term that encompasses all types of cooking guidance. People turn to Google to find recipes for everyday meals, holiday recipes, baking recipes, and more. The high volume shows recipes are a go-to source of inspiration in the kitchen.
Pizza
– Pizza is a universally popular food. Searches likely include finding pizza restaurants for delivery/takeout, copycat recipes to make at home, and tips for hosting pizza parties.
Sushi
– Sushi is growing in popularity as more people try the Japanese staple. Searches range from finding local sushi restaurants to learning how to make sushi at home.
Wine
– Wine has complex subtleties in style, making it a popular search topic. People research wine pairings for foods like steak, look up reviews of recommended wines, and educate themselves on the nuances of varieties like Pinot Noir.
Steak
– Cooking the perfect steak is part science, part art. Searches include steak recipes, best practices for doneness levels, tips on selecting quality cuts of beef, and more.
Search Trends Over Time
Google search volume data also provides insights into how interest in foods changes over time. Tracking search trends can reveal rising and declining popularity of different food items. Here are some highlights:
Sushi
– Average monthly searches for “sushi” have risen over 30% compared to five years ago, showing growing interest in sushi in the U.S.
Keto
– Searches for “keto” grew over 5x in the last five years, driven by the increasing popularity of the high fat, low carb ketogenic diet.
Vegan
– “Vegan” searches doubled over the past five years, reflecting a rise in plant-based and vegan eating habits.
Gluten-free
– “Gluten-free” search volume declined by around 25% compared to five years ago, indicating this diet trend may be fading.
Regional Differences
Google Trends allows you to analyze search volumes by geographic region. Comparing states and cities can reveal regional food preferences. Here are some key differences:
Chicago
– Searches for “deep dish pizza” are 10x higher in Chicago than the U.S. average, which shows the popularity of this iconic local specialty.
Hawaii
– Average monthly searches for “poke” are over 7x higher in Hawaii versus nationally, reflecting Hawaiian cuisine patterns.
Nashville
– Searches for “hot chicken” are almost 8x higher in Nashville, which indicates the Tennessee capital’s fondness for its famous spicy fried chicken.
Conclusion
Google search data offers a fascinating look at food trends and popularity nationwide. While recipes and takeout favorites like pizza and sushi top the list, search volumes also reveal rising interest in foods like sushi and declining trends like gluten-free. Comparing search patterns geographically highlights regional food preferences as well. As food continues to be a hot search topic, it will be interesting to see how Americans’ tastes and habits evolve over time.