Where Are ChatGPT’s Biggest Fans? Our New Study Reveals the Top U.S. States Exploring AI in Everyday Work
When we set out to explore where Americans are most curious about ChatGPT — and how they’re using it for marketing, SEO, and content creation — we didn’t expect the findings to spark so much conversation.
Recently, our research was completed highlighting the U.S. states showing the strongest engagement with ChatGPT-related searches. The takeaway? AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley anymore — it’s gone mainstream, coast to coast.
The States Leading the AI Conversation
Our analysis reviewed Google search volumes for 20 ChatGPT-related terms, including:
“ChatGPT for SEO”
“ChatGPT keyword research”
“ChatGPT plugins”
“ChatGPT marketing”
“ChatGPT vs competitors”
We compared monthly search data to 2025 population estimates to reveal which states are most “hooked” on ChatGPT.
The Top 10 States Most Interested in ChatGPT:
| Rank | State | Total Searches | Population (2025) | Searches per 100,000 Residents | % Above National Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 311,970 | 39,663,800 | 787 | +65.8% |
| 2 | Maryland | 49,260 | 6,309,380 | 781 | +64.5% |
| 3 | Colorado | 46,770 | 6,013,650 | 778 | +63.9% |
| 4 | New York | 141,610 | 19,997,100 | 708 | +49.1% |
| 5 | Virginia | 62,770 | 8,887,700 | 706 | +48.7% |
| 6 | Florida | 165,970 | 23,839,600 | 696 | +46.6% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 49,980 | 7,205,770 | 694 | +46.2% |
| 8 | New Jersey | 63,430 | 9,622,060 | 659 | +38.7% |
| 9 | Texas | 208,870 | 31,853,800 | 656 | +38.1% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 23,230 | 3,707,120 | 627 | +32.0% |
Source: Hyper Dog Media analysis of Google search data (2025). National average: 474.8 searches per 100,000 residents.
What This Means for Marketers and Brands
The data paints a clear picture: ChatGPT adoption is strong, but highly regionalized.
California leads by a wide margin — no surprise, given its AI startup density and tech-forward workforce.
Maryland and Colorado’s top-tier engagement shows that proximity to innovation hubs (like D.C. and Denver) may be fueling faster adoption.
Even traditionally slower adopters like West Virginia are now showing measurable interest — proof that AI literacy is spreading rapidly.
For marketers, this insight is gold. It tells us where conversations about AI are already happening — and where education, events, or localized campaigns might find the most receptive audiences.
From Curiosity to Capability
As our spokesperson shared:
“This data shows how quickly generative-AI narratives capture public attention across the U.S., and where they resonate most strongly. With California, Maryland, and Colorado leading, these markets demonstrate exceptional intensity around practical prompts, integrations, and everyday use.
For publishers, brands, and teams, the message is clear: tailor coverage to local interests, time updates around peak demand, and prioritize the specific ChatGPT queries users are making.”
That’s the key takeaway — AI curiosity is turning into capability. Professionals aren’t just asking “What is ChatGPT?” anymore. They’re searching for “ChatGPT for SEO,” “ChatGPT for content writing,” and “ChatGPT for marketing.”
They’re not playing with the tool — they’re integrating it into their workflows.
How the Study Was Conducted
Hyper Dog Media analyzed monthly Google search volumes for 20 ChatGPT-related terms across all 50 U.S. states.
By comparing those searches to 2025 population data, we calculated searches per 100,000 residents, allowing fair state-to-state comparisons.
Why This Matters in 2025
At Hyper Dog Media, we’ve always believed the next phase of SEO is AI collaboration, not competition. This research confirms that belief — audiences across the U.S. are eager to understand how AI tools fit into marketing, SEO, and everyday communication.
For agencies and brands, this is the moment to:
Educate audiences on responsible AI use.
Optimize content for AI engines (AEO and GEO, not just SEO).
Test and measure how AI-driven search influences visibility and engagement.
AI adoption isn’t a passing trend — it’s the new frontier of how people learn, search, and decide.