Out of the 11 hours a day the average American spends interacting with electronic media, we dedicate around 45 minutes of that time to social media apps. But the way each American spends their hour or so connecting with friends, reading the news, and watching the most recent viral video differs from person to person and state to state.
In last year’s report on each state’s social media usage, the CenturyLinkQuote data team found (to our immense surprise) that Google Plus was still one of the top-searched social media apps in the US. This year, when we checked out last year’s Google Trends data on the most-searched apps, Google Plus wasn’t even on the map.
Curious to see which app took the lead and compare your social media habits to the way your state searches, snaps, and connects? Check out our map!
First Place: Snapchat
Snapchat tied with Google Plus for first place in our 2018 social media report, but this year, Google Plus searches fell off completely while Snapchat outpaced all competition. While Snapchat’s growth slowed in 2018—due in part to a redesign and backlash against algorithmic rather than chronological story sorting—it’s still the most popular app by state.
North Dakotans searched Snapchat more than anyone else, but the app came in first in ten other states too:
- Arizona
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wisconsin
Second Place: Pinterest
As the top-searched app in ten states (Snapchat came in first with 11), Pinterest narrowly took second place this year—the same ranking it got in last year’s report.
While many other social media apps have spent the last few years tangled in controversy (Snapchat struggles to moderate NSFW content; Facebook’s data leaks make front-page news), Pinterest does its best to steer clear of drama. The company is going public in 2019, so stay tuned to see if Pinterest’s place on Wall Street impacts next year’s ranking.
Pinterest is most popular in picturesque Montana, whose residents searched for it more than anyone else. These nine states also love the platform:
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- Utah
- Vermont
- Wyoming
Third Place: Instagram
In a reversal of last year, Instagram beat its parent company, Facebook, for third place. Thanks to the swap, this year’s top three apps are image-based, not news- or text-based. Sunny, scenic California surpassed Hawaii this year as the state with the most Instagram-related searches, but Instagram still takes the cake in eight more states:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
Fourth Place: Facebook
Even though Facebook has around 1.5 billion active daily users, it’s only fourth in our list, taking first in just eight states. Maybe Facebook’s long list of 2018 scandals kept it from the top and knocked it down a rank, but it still placed first in West Virginia, where residents searched for the app more than any other state.
The platform also came in first in these states:
- Alabama
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
Fifth Place: Reddit/Youtube
Youtube and Reddit are older than most of the platforms on this list, but they’re still growing in popularity: neither social media platform appeared on our list last year.
Unlike the apps above, neither Reddit nor Youtube aims to connect users with friends. Reddit lets like-minded strangers create communities on practically any topic. Meanwhile, Youtube is one of the only sites that pays its influencers directly; it’s also the only one on our list with a premium paid streaming service.
Out of everyone searching for Reddit, Washingtonians gave it the most hits. Other states that prefer the platform include:
- Colorado
- Massachusetts
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
Mississippi tunes in to Youtube more than any other state. The 14-year-old app also placed first in these areas:
- Alaska
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
Sixth Place: Twitter
Twitter took first in just one part of the country: Washington, D.C. The most likely explanation for the app’s regional popularity seems obvious: the current president’s proclivity for late-night tweeting. With over 41,000 tweets—a number that increases daily—@realdonaldtrump is a crucial follow for the thousands of federal employees who call the nation’s capital home.
About CenturyLinkQuote
CenturyLinkQuote is an Authorized Sales Agent that offers Internet, TV and Phone Service across the United States. Find speed availability here or call us at 1-855-640-4510. For media inquiries, please contact media@centurylinkquote.com
If Hallmark® movies are your passion, December is far and away the most wonderful time of the year. Last year, 72 million viewers tuned into the popular channel and treated themselves to wholesome love stories against the backdrop of falling snow, presents under the tree, and a hearty helping of Christmas spirit.
Do your Hallmark Christmas tastes ring true with the rest of your state’s? See what movies your friends and neighbors love on the CenturyLinkQuote.com Hallmark Christmas movie map below! And whether your state is captivated by the budding romance between two aspiring writers (The Mistletoe Inn) or prefers a cynical journalist’s redemptive cross-country journey (The Christmas Train), add last year’s most popular Hallmark Christmas movies to your viewing schedule this holiday season.
Data Highlights:
- The two most popular films nationwide—The Christmas Train and The Mistletoe Inn—are backed by star power: the former features Danny Glover and Dermot Mulroney while the latter adapts the acclaimed Richard Paul Evans novel.
- Utah is the only state that preferred Switched at Christmas to any others, which makes sense—the film was shot in downtown Salt Lake City. (Texas and Wyoming favorited Enchanted Christmas, which was both made and set in Utah.)
- When Calls the Heart is one of Hallmark’s most popular TV series; its feature-length film special, Christmas Wishing Tree, stole the hearts of faithful California viewers.
- Vermont preferred Christmas in Evergreen, which is set in Vermont. (Christmas in Evergreen was Colorado’s favorite, too!)
Christmas Next Door
Alaska
The Christmas Train
Royal New Year’s Eve
The Mistletoe Inn
California
When Calls the Heart: Christmas Wishing Tree
Christmas in Evergreen
Connecticut
The Mistletoe Inn
Delaware
Christmas Getaway
Royal New Year’s Eve
The Sweetest Christmas
Hawaii
A Gift to Remember
Marry Me at Christmas
The Mistletoe Inn
The Mistletoe Inn
Iowa
The Mistletoe Inn
Christmas Next Door
Kentucky
Marry Me at Christmas
A Gift to Remember
Maine
Marry Me at Christmas
Maryland
Finding Santa
Massachusetts
The Christmas Train
Royal New Year’s Eve
The Mistletoe Inn
Mississippi
Miss Christmas
Christmas Next Door
Montana
The Christmas Train
Nebraska
The Mistletoe Inn
Nevada
Finding Santa
New Hampshire
Christmas Getaway
New Jersey
A Gift to Remember
New Mexico
Finding Santa
New York
The Christmas Train
With Love, Christmas
North Dakota
The Christmas Cottage
Christmas Connection
Oklahoma
Finding Santa
Oregon
The Christmas Cottage
Pennsylvania
The Christmas Train
Rhode Island
Christmas Getaway
South Carolina
Marry Me at Christmas
South Dakota
The Christmas Train
Tennessee
The Mistletoe Inn
Texas
Enchanted for Christmas
Utah
Switched for Christmas
Vermont
Christmas in Evergreen
Royal New Year’s Eve
The Mistletoe Inn
West Virginia
Christmas Festival of Ice
The Christmas Train
Wyoming
Enchanted Christmas
Methodology
To create our Hallmark Christmas movie map, the CenturyLinkQuote.com data team searched the titles of Hallmark’s 2017 Christmas movies in Google Trends and found the movie each state searched for more than the other states. Since Hallmark starts releasing new Christmas movies in October, we bracketed the search data from 1 October 2017 to 1 October 2018.
About CenturyLinkQuote
CenturyLinkQuote is a Authorized Sales Agent that offers Internet, TV and Phone Service across the United States. Find speed availability here or call us at 1-855-640-4510.
With Halloween just around the (haunted) corner, the team at CenturyLinkQuote wondered what Americans are up to during this spooky season. And what better way than to take a peek at the nation’s search habits? Using Google Trends to look at top search queries near All Hallow’s Eve last year, the CLQ team found some answers. Discover what your state searched for on our map below and get ready to eat, drink and be scary!
Interesting Findings
- Illinois may be Googling “razor blade in candy” due to a previous incident in 2012 where a local did find a razor blade in his daughter’s Halloween candy (Yikes indeed!).
- Five states—Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee and Vermont—seem to be unclear about the holiday, as they are searching “What is Halloween?” most.
- Three states are searching whether or not Halloween is satanic—Georgia, Ohio, and Virginia.
- It may be no wonder that Wisconsin is one of the states searching most for “pumpkin carving ideas.” The Badger State has quite a few pumpkin patches and even had a unique underwater pumpkin carving competition last year.
Each State’s Most Googled Query
Alabama
Halloween Makeup
Alaska
Sexy Halloween Costume
Arizona
Halloween Makeup
Arkansas
What is Halloween?
California
Best Halloween Pranks
Colorado
Best Halloween Candy
Connecticut
Halloween Party
Delaware
Couples Costume Ideas
District of Columbia
Halloween Pick Up Lines
Florida
Halloween Party
Georgia
Is Halloween Satanic?
Hawaii
Cat Makeup
Idaho
Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Illinois
Razor Blade in Candy
Indiana
Witching Hour
Iowa
What is Halloween?
Kansas
Halloween Party
Kentucky
Baby Costume Ideas
Louisiana
Halloween Party
Maine
Couples Costume Ideas
Maryland
Halloween Party
Massachusetts
Best Halloween Candy
Michigan
What Time Does Trick or Treat Start?
Minnesota
Sugar Free Candy
Mississippi
Halloween Makeup
Missouri
What is Halloween?
Montana
Ouija Board
Nebraska
Cat Makeup
Nevada
Sugar Free Candy
New Hampshire
Devil Makeup
New Jersey
Curfew
New Mexico
Halloween Makeup
New York
Halloween Party
North Carolina
What Time Does Trick or Treat Start?
North Dakota
Couples Costume Ideas
Ohio
Is Halloween Satanic?
Oklahoma
Sugar Free Candy
Oregon
Sugar Free Candy
Pennsylvania
Razor Blade in Candy
Rhode Island
Halloween Makeup
South Carolina
Halloween Pick Up Lines
South Dakota
Halloween Memes
Tennessee
What is Halloween?
Texas
Halloween Party
Utah
Halloween Makeup
Vermont
What is Halloween?
Virginia
Is Halloween Satanic?
Washington
Pumpkin Carving Ideas
West Virginia
How to TP
Wisconsin
Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Wyoming
Pumpkin Carving Ideas
Methodology
The CenturyLinkQuote data team curated a list of common Halloween topics, including some of the top Halloween-related search queries in 2017. They input those queries into Google Trends to get a state-by-state breakdown of search volume around each topic. The data was restricted to searches that occurred between October 30 and 31, 2017, so that the results would be indicative of what each state is Googling specifically on Halloween.
About CenturyLinkQuote
CenturyLinkQuote is a Authorized Sales Agent that offers Internet, TV and Phone Service across the United States. Find speed availability here or call us at 1-855-640-4510.
For media inquiries, please contact hilary@centurylinkquote.com
How long has it been since you checked your Facebook app? How about Instagram or Snapchat? We’re guessing that whether you’re at work or home, it’s only been a few hours—or minutes?—since your fingers last started itching for your social fix. And, depending on where in the US you live, we may be able to predict which social media app you last opened.
Using research from SimilarWeb, an online data gathering and marketing tool based in Israel, Internet Service Partners members determined which social media apps are the most searched for in the United States. Then, our team at Internet Service Partners used Google Search Trends to see how often people in each state searched for the most popular social media apps.
Keep reading to see whether the results below sync with your experience in a given state. We’ve grouped the post by social media apps, listing the states where the app is most popular.
The Top Contestants: Google Plus and Snapchat
Google Plus and Snapchat tied for first place as the most downloaded apps in 14 states apiece.
Google Plus
Google Plus is one of the top-searched social media apps nationwide? Trust us—we’re surprised by this data too. Google Plus was generally considered a failed (not to mention expensive) social media experiment to compete with Facebook. Today, Facebook has 2 billion worldwide users to Google Plus’ 111 million.
Still, the increased Google Plus search queries indicate that the app is making a resurgence. Since Google Plus seems popular in states like California and Washington, which tend to be on the cutting edge of technology, it’s worth paying attention to Google’s much-maligned app. Who knows: according to data like this, it could be the social media trendsetter of the future.
Ohio lead the charge with the most Google Plus searches of any state in the union. These 13 states also gave Google Plus the lead:
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
Snapchat
Snapchat is especially popular with Generation Z (also known as the iGeneration, the age group directly following millennials), and its user bank extends from young teens on up.
Snapchat is more popular among teens than Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, indicating that Snapchat has tapped into an audience that will likely keep it relevant as the rest of these social media apps start their way out.
Snapchat had the most mentions in Mississippi, but the app also came first in these states:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
Board What You Love: Pinterest Takes Third
Pinterest stands out from the other social media apps listed here for a few reasons. Like Instagram and Tumblr, it works mainly in pictures. However, Pinterest features like creating boards that every user can view, not just your followers, are unique to this particular platform. Users visit Pinterest not to catch up with friends or check the news, but to get DIY help and artistic inspiration. They can also use it to shop for their favorite styles.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that this versatile, all-in-one social media app comes in third. South Dakotans take first place as Pinterest devotees. Check out these other pin-happy states:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
- Utah
- Wisconsin
Fourth Even After 14 Years: Facebook
To no one’s shock, Facebook is on its way out as that top social media platform. After all, it’s nearly 15 years old, and as you know from the data above, Generation Z has moved on to more modern apps.
Still, Facebook remains one of the top-five most-used apps nationwide, and the debate about how Facebook impacted the 2016 presidential elections ensures discussions about Facebook’s influence are here to stay.
Facebook is the most-searched social media app in a handful of states, with West Virginia ranking first in total search volume. West Virginia’s median age hovers around 42, which could help explain Facebook’s continued popularity—but Alaska also relies most on Facebook and has the second-lowest median age in the nation at 33, so age could be just one of many factors explaining Facebook’s popularity in states that range from the northeast to the far edge of Canada.
Along with West Virginia, seven other states enjoyed Facebook more than most:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Maine
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Vermont
- Wyoming
Selfie Time: Instagram Comes in Fifth
Instagram has been around since 2010 and was acquired by Facebook just four years later—so perhaps it follows that as Facebook trends downward, Instagram heads down with it.
However, Instagram is still holding its own. It had 800 million users in 2017, so we wouldn’t recommend counting Instagram out quite yet.
It makes sense that Instagram is most popular in Hawaii, a state known for its gorgeous scenery. Instagram also ranks first in two other areas:
- Nevada
- The District of Columbia
No matter where you live or what web service provider you use to access the above apps, we’re confident you’re active on at least one of these platforms—so what do you think of our results? Does your most-used app parallel the stats from where you live? Do you have any thoughts about why people in your area might prefer Instagram to Facebook or Pinterest to Snapchat?
About CenturyLinkQuote
CenturyLinkQuote is a Authorized Sales Agent that offers Internet, TV and Phone Service across the United States. Find speed availability here or call us at 1-855-640-4510.
For media inquiries, please contact hilary@centurylinkquote.com
Decades ago, the phrases “gamer culture” and “gaming industry” might have seemed counterintuitive—but today, around 2.2 billion gamers support a nearly $109 billion industry. From the popularity of games such as Fortnite, League of Legends, and Call of Duty to game-based movies including the newest Tomb Raider, it’s clear gaming is a crucial cultural staple and here to stay across the globe.
Where in the world does gaming thrive? Below, CenturyLinkQuote analysts have compiled a list of the most gamer-friendly cities. We’ve highlighted the top 10 in the map below, and you can see the top 30 cities by viewing the table at the bottom of this article. Use our list to plan your next vacation, add a few stops to your bucket list, or simply see how your city’s gaming culture compares to some of the world’s best.
- Seongnam-si, South Korea
If you know anything about South Korea’s technological prowess, Seongnam-si’s number-one status shouldn’t surprise you. South Korea consistently ranks as the country with the fastest internet in the world—in fact, it’s the only country where average internet speeds top 25 Mbps. Free high-speed internet is available on public transit, and South Korea aims to commercialize 10 Gig speeds by 2022.
The country’s phenomenal fiber-optic infrastructure enables gaming culture to flourish, especially through gaming hubs called PC bangs, where couples and individuals alike pay a low hourly fee to game online. In Seongnam, a suburb of Seoul centered on the electronics industry, it’s easy to find PC bangs with high-res monitors. The annual Seongnam Game World Festival aims to foster a family-friendly gaming culture that residents and visitors alike can enjoy each September.
- Los Angeles, United States
Silicon Valley, step aside—or at least make room for Silicon Beach. Several of the industry’s most elite gaming companies call Los Angeles city home, including Electronic Arts (EA) and PlayStation. Los Angeles also hosts the yearly Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), where industry experts unveil their most highly anticipated games and products.
- Seattle, United States
Like Los Angeles, Seattle has long surpassed Silicon Valley in terms of gaming culture and tech advancements. Along with being home to Microsoft, Seattle welcomes hundreds of gaming companies, and the University of Washington is just one of several universities in the area that offers a degree or certification in game design.
- Seoul, South Korea
Whether you prioritize a high-speed gaming experience or a welcoming, social gaming culture, you won’t find a better city than Seoul. Partially thanks to Seongnam’s proximity, Seoul is well known as the eSports capital of the world—you could easily make the case that the area is the birthplace of eSports. If you’re visiting Seoul, make sure to add the Yongsan eSports Stadium to your list of must-visit gaming sites.
- Malmö, Sweden
Nordic countries such as Sweden have some of the fastest internet speeds in the world—not quite up to South Korea’s high standard, but easily surpassing average download speeds worldwide. So it makes sense that Sweden, along with South Korea and the US, is one of the three countries to have two high-ranking cities on this list.
Malmö isn’t Sweden’s capital, but it is the capital of Sweden’s Skåne county and one of the area’s major IT hubs. Massive Entertainment is based on Malmö along with at least 30 other gaming studios and developers. And since 2017, The Final Tribe—the highest-ranked eSports team in the nordic region—jas called Malmö home.
- Stockholm, Sweden
Like Los Angeles, Stockholm hosts several major game developers, including Mojang (Minecraft) and King (Candy Crush). In fact, Sweden has one of the largest concentrations of developers worldwide, so if you’re looking for an international job in the gaming industry, Sweden is the perfect place to start. If you’re looking not just to game but to learn something, too, the Stockholm Spelmuseum—the Museum of Video Games—offers hours of entertainment and education for the entire family.
- Zürich, Switzerland
Similar to other cities on this list, Zürich is home to a variety of gaming and eSports expos where developers reveal new products gamers can test on the floor. For instance, the Ludicious Zürich Game Festival held in early 2018 brought gamers, developers, companies, and students together to release and explore new products. The Zürich Game Show also invites gamers to enjoy new games, not just in eSports but in virtual reality and cosplay too.
- Cologne, Germany
In the gaming world, Cologne, city of cathedrals, is known mainly for Gamescom. Apart from the Asia Game Show, which takes place in Hong Kong, Gamescom has the largest space and most visitors of any other gaming con. Gamescom is a fair-trade market where gamers can test and purchase the best new games, test unreleased games, and check out the latest gadgets and tech.
- Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo natives are at least as steeped in gaming culture as Seoul’s. While Nintendo headquarters is located in Kyoto, you’ll find Pokemon Centers across Japan, including one in Tokyo, where you can pick up all your Pokemon games and merch. The Akihabara area of Tokyo is a must-see for any gaming fan; the cosplayers, stores, and atmosphere make Akihabara look and feel like a scene from your favorite game, anime, or manga.
- London, England
One of the top-ranked eSport teams in the world is the London-based Fnatic. Even if you’re not an eSports professional, there are plenty of London venues where you can test your mettle and improve your skills. Visit a Meltdown pub to experience a mixture of British pub and video gaming culture, or go all in by visiting the recently opened Red Bull Gaming Sphere.
Here’s a breakdown of how each city ranked related to each factor:
Best Cities Worldwide for Online Gaming
City | Country | Avg. Internet Speed | Peak Internet Speed | Internet Cafes | Gaming Companies | Global Steam Traffic | Overall Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seongnam-si | South Korea | 2 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 12 | 1 |
Los Angeles | USA | 11 | 9 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
Seattle | USA | 12 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
Seoul | South Korea | 1 | 2 | 24 | 14 | 6 | 4 |
Malmo | Sweden | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 5 |
Stockholm | Sweden | 4 | 4 | 26 | 4 | 10 | 6 |
Zurich | Switzerland | 6 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 7 |
Cologne | Germany | 18 | 22 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 8 |
Tokyo | Japan | 9 | 7 | 21 | 13 | 9 | 9 |
London | England | 15 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 10 |
Copenhagen | Denmark | 10 | 18 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 11 |
Helsinki | Finland | 7 | 17 | 17 | 2 | 22 | 12 |
Singapore | Singapore | 8 | 1 | 18 | 21 | 26 | 13 |
Ghent | Belgium | 16 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 24 | 14 |
Paris | France | 25 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 15 |
Toronto | Canada | 17 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 17 | 16 |
Amsterdam | Netherlands | 13 | 13 | 19 | 10 | 21 | 17 |
Oslo | Norway | 3 | 11 | 30 | 16 | 23 | 18 |
Lyon | France | 26 | 26 | 4 | 19 | 15 | 19 |
Moscow | Russia | 23 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 8 | 20 |
Shanghai | China | 27 | 28 | 23 | 28 | 1 | 21 |
Lisbon | Portugal | 21 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 25 | 22 |
Bucharest | Romania | 14 | 6 | 27 | 22 | 27 | 23 |
Auckland | New Zealand | 20 | 19 | 7 | 18 | 29 | 24 |
Katowice | Poland | 22 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 11 | 25 |
Hong Kong | China | 28 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 26 |
Sao Paulo | Brazil | 29 | 27 | 16 | 27 | 13 | 27 |
Sydney | Australia | 24 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 28 |
Budapest | Hungary | 19 | 15 | 22 | 24 | 28 | 29 |
Maharashtra | India | 30 | 30 | 9 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
Methodology
To determine which cities were the most gamer friendly, the data analysts from CenturyLinkQuote collected data related to factors that best reflect the gaming landscape. These factors include the following:
- Average internet speeds
- Average peak internet speeds
- Internet cafes per capita
- Video game companies per capita
- Percentage of global Steam traffic
From there, we weighted and normalized the data to determine each city’s final ranking.
Most of these cities can support such a heavy gaming culture because of their high-speed internet: if you’re a gamer, check today to see if speeds up to 1 Gig are available in your area!
Please contact cbreck@gmail.com for media inquiries
About CenturyLinkQuote
CenturyLinkQuote is a Authorized Sales Agent that offers Internet, TV and Phone Service across the United States. Find speed availability here or call us at 1-855-640-4510.
When most non-locals think of Wisconsin, they picture cheese, cold winters, and the Green Bay Packers—which is a shame, because Wisconsin has also earned its rightful place as a stellar location for Hollywood films. While Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids (2011) is probably the best-known, most recent example, Wisconsin films have been making a splash in the movie and TV worlds for decades.
Whether you’re looking for something new to watch or you simply want to celebrate your home state by enjoying its beauty on the big screen, give one (or all!) of the shows and movies below a whirl. You can stream most of them online through your favorite streaming service, an activity made much easier (and more enjoyable) with a high-speed internet connection. Alternatively, you can catch them on On Demand or live on DIRECTV.

From Milwaukee cityscapes to rural roadsides, you can find shots of Wisconsin’s best angles in a variety of genres.
Comedy: Bridesmaids (2011)
In 2011, Paul Feig revolutionized the comedy genre with an all-female, star-studded cast that proved women could do raunchy humor, slapstick, and verbal barbs as well as men—and perform at the box office, too. The film takes place largely in Milwaukee and doesn’t gloss over issues like the economic downturn of the late 2000s, which impacted small business owners in states across the nation, including Wisconsin.
The movie also functions as a tale of two cities: Annie, played by Kristin Wiig, is bitterly jealous of her best friend’s new best friend, Helen (Rose Byrne), who hails from Chicago. The rivalry between the two ramps up, and for a while Chicago seems destined to pull Annie’s best friend away from her–but good old-fashioned Wisconsin friendliness and community ultimately win out.
Kids’ Flicks: The Straight Story (1999)
The Straight Story is, believe it or not, a Disney-produced film directed by David Lynch, though it’s a far cry (tonally and thematically) from Lynch’s most beloved works. This charming, true-life story follows the journey by tractor of aging farmer Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) to make up with his estranged ailing brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton).
Alvin encounters a host of colorful characters along the way, and as most of his journey takes place across Iowa and Wisconsin, the film features beautiful shots of the rolling Wisconsin landscape.
Rip-Roaring Sci-Fi: Contact (1997)
Hollywood has taken Wisconsin to the stars time and time again, painting picturesque Wisconsin against the backdrop of the universe. In Contact, filmmaker Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future) works off a script by Carl Sagan to imagine what humanity’s first encounter with aliens would look like.
Most big-budget alien flicks gloss over Wisconsin as the setting for first contact, preferring areas like LA and New York City (though Star Trek: First Contact opts for Montana), but we think cozy Wisconsin fits the bill as the perfect place to welcome alien visitors to the universe.
Not Your Ordinary Sci-Fi/Romance: Starman (1984)
Starman also kicks off in Wisconsin, but it’s wildly different from Contact, especially in its genre-bending merger of science fiction and romance. A young Jeff Bridges plays an alien visitor who lands in Wisconsin and goes on a frantic cross-country journey a la Escape to Witch Mountain to reach a point in Arizona that will send him back to his own planet. Karen Allen plays his love interest, and their relationship carries the bulk of the film. Starman won Bridges an Academy Award nomination.
Bittersweet Dramedy: Away We Go (2009)
They say Virginia is for lovers, but Hollywood’s depiction of Wisconsin grants the state the same ambiance, albeit with a more melancholic, nostalgic slant.
Sam Mendes’ Away We Go was written by husband-and-wife team Vendela Vida and Dave Eggers. The story revolves around couple Burt and Verona, played by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph, who find themselves dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. Both of their parents have died, and in their search to find parenting role models, the two take a cross-country road trip to decide if and how they want to raise their baby.
The tongue-in-cheek film takes its most comic turn in Madison, where Maggie Gyllenhaal appears as Burt’s condescending, free-range, hippie relative who utterly fails to offer any meaningful baby-raising advice.
A Different Kind of Romance: Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Lars and the Real Girl shares the same quirky tone as Away We Go, but it presents a love story of a different sort. Lars, played by Ryan Gosling, lives with his older brother and sister-in-law in a small Wisconsin town. When Lars’ brother and the larger community realize the girlfriend Lars has been talking about is actually a life-size doll, they don’t ostracize him: instead, they rally around him, treating “Bianca” like one of their own.
The movie focuses on overcoming the trauma of lost childhood with the help of a forgiving community, all against the harsh, uncanny beauty of a Wisconsin winter.
Political Thriller: Michael Clayton (2007)
Political dramas aren’t just for New York City and Washington, D.C. While Michael Clayton largely takes place in New York state, a few pivotal scenes—most notably one involving a dramatic courtroom breakdown by Tom Wilkinson’s character, Arthur Edens—occur in Milwaukee.
Michael Clayton centers on the eponymous main character, played by George Clooney, who fixes “problems” that could cause his legal firm’s shady clients to lose major cases. The film hinges on a class-action suit against an agricultural firm that released dangerous, life-threatening chemicals.
The film garnered several Oscar noms and appeared on critics’ best-of-the-year (and even a few best-of-the-century) lists. Even though the film has largely disappeared from public memory—perhaps because of its rather bland title—it’s certainly worth a watch.
Looking for something to watch that will last longer than a few hours? Plenty of TV shows have been set in Wisconsin over the decades, but we’ve chosen to focus on these three standouts.
Time-Tested Classic: Happy Days
Happy Days’ impact on pop culture is undeniable. For one thing, it’s where a young Ron Howard got his start. For another, the phrase “jump the shark” came from a Happy Days episode where a character literally jumped over a shark. The program’s portrayal of the idyllic Midwestern family life was made possible by its Wisconsin setting, and if you’ve never watched before, get ready to reschedule boredom: there are over 250 episodes for you to enjoy.
Over-the-Top Drama: The Young and the Restless
While Happy Days promoted a wholesome picture of family life in Wisconsin, The Young and the Restless is a classic soap that, for better or worse, does the opposite. The story focuses on several families and their feuds, has aired since the 1970s and is contracted to produce new episodes until at least 2020. If soaps are your thing and Wisconsin is your home, you can’t miss out on the 11,000+ episodes of this delightfully dramatic classic.
Teenage Sitcom: That ‘70s Show
In the mood for something funnier than the two above? That ‘70s Show takes place in Wisconsin in part as an homage to (and satire of) Happy Days. Along with launching the careers of Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, and Topher Grace, the show got millions of viewers calling “Helloooooo, Wisconsin!” when they sang along to the first season theme song.
Lifetime launched in 1984, and since then, it’s overturned expectations, revolutionized TV, and had an undeniably major cultural impact.
Don’t believe us? Hollywood pulls some of its best talent from Lifetime movies—think Rob Lowe, Zac Efron, Sarah Paulson, Reese Witherspoon, Kristen Bell…the list goes on and on. And even in 2018, Lifetime remains one of TV’s only female-centric channels, which makes the channel noteworthy in and of itself.
Methodology
To determine the most-searched Lifetime movie per state, the data analyst team at Internet Service Partners scoured Google Search Queries to collect the most talked-about Lifetime movies over the past decade.
Then, we narrowed results down to the top movies and used Google Search Trends to determine which states searched for which movie most frequently. Our time range was Jan 1, 2013 to Jan 1, 2018, so the movies listed here have been topping the lists for at least the last five years.
Plus, while Lifetime has a reputation for ghastly spectacle and brutalized female protagonists, the channel is much more complicated than cultural stereotypes make it seem. The success of The Bachelor critique Unreal is just the tip of the iceberg: Lifetime invests in female-directed films that resonate with today’s #MeToo movement and deploy major talent like Queen Latifah and Minnie Driver in serious—and seriously good—flicks like Steel Magnolias and Return to Zero.
Why else does America love Lifetime? Its films have broad appeal, ranging from grisly true-crime stories to well-made, heartwarming tales of women triumphing over adversity. And, of course, they’re endlessly accessible—whether you’re channel surfing or watching On Demand, Lifetime is always there when you need it.
Since America’s fascination with Lifetime has only increased with time—and since traditional fall-to-spring shows are winding down, leaving many of us with too much free time and too few shows—we decided to delve into the nation’s most popular Lifetime movies, breaking them down by state.
Based on our results, in order from most popular to least, the most-watched Lifetime movies in America are
- Flowers in the Attic
- Speak
- No One Would Tell
- Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy
- The Craigslist Killer
- She’s Too Young
- The Pregnancy Pact
- Accused at 17
Why Do These Films Stand Out?
Our data only gave us the numbers—it didn’t tell us why these eight movies were the most popular nationwide. They range from old to new, star-studded to lackluster, uplifting to grisly, so we can’t answer the question definitively—but we’re happy to conjecture about why these particular films resonated with American audiences over the last five years.
We’re Fascinated by True Crime
Americans are interested in true crime in every medium. For instance, in research for a previous blog, we learned that over 86% of Americans favor true-crime podcasts over any other genre.
It makes sense that four of the eight films on our list are based on true stories, while five of the eight are murder mysteries. And, of course, sordid true crime stories have long been considered Lifetime’s specialty.
In a world as news-saturated as ours, perhaps true-crime films give Americans a way to explore some of the most horrifying (and, there’s no denying it, fascinating) real-life news stories without opening a paper or turning on the news. True-crime movies—or at least those on Lifetime—also offer something global news often doesn’t: clear heroes and villains, logical narratives and character arcs, and a satisfying resolution.
We Want Diversity
The success of movies like Black Panther and Wonder Woman show that American audiences are hungry for more diverse movies and female leads. But Hollywood isn’t necessarily delivering, especially not on the female-director front.
In contrast, Lifetime has one of the largest ratios of female to male directors in the entertainment industry. According to data curated by Buzzfeed in 2016, 73% of all Lifetime original movies from 1994 onward were written and/or directed by women. That number is stunningly high, especially when the only 4% of the highest-grossing 1,100 Hollywood films over a ten-year span were directed by women.
Of the movies in our list, Flowers in the Attic, Speak, and The Pregnancy Pact were written and directed by women. Amanda Knox had a male director and a female writer.
It’s worth noting that the most sordid, shocking movies—the ones that most clearly objectify, sexualize, and/or victimize their female protagonists—in our list were all written and directed by men, including The Craigslist Killer, No One Would Tell, and She’s Too Young. (While Accused at 17 was co-written by a woman, the director and story creator were both male.)
We Love a Good Adaptation
The top two films on our list—Flowers in the Attic and Speak—are both based on best-selling books. Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak, is credited as a co-writer for the script. The adaptation fits the nationwide trend of comic book and YA novel adaptations as the industry’s most popular (and profitable) films.
Flowers in the Attic is also a remake of a previous film adaptation, though the Lifetime flick did much better critically and popularly than the original. With a clear remake fascination sweeping Hollywood (think Ghostbusters, Ocean’s 8, and Splash), it makes sense that Lifetime viewers would be in on the trend, too.
We’re Seizing the Moment with #MeToo
The fact that Speak, a film about a young woman learning to break the silence about her sexual assault, and No One Would Tell, about an abusive boyfriend, are two of the top Lifetime movies in America could indicate that women (and hopefully men) are interested in seeing films that resonate with the modern #MeToo movement.
We Like Good Movies
Based on our data, you might not need to feel so guilty about indulging in the occasional Lifetime movie. Not everything you find there automatically falls into the so bad it’s good genre—some, according to audiences, critics, and industry movers and shakers alike, are simply….good.
For instance, Speak was nominated for and/or won the following awards:
- Directors Guild of America (nominee): Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs
- Gold Derby Awards (winner): TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress
- Woodstock Film Festival (winner): Best Narrative Features
- Writers Guild of America (nominee): Best Children’s Script – Long Form
Flowers in the Attic received similar industry acknowledgment:
- Primetime Emmy Awards (nominee): Outstanding Supporting Actress
- Screen Guild Awards (nominee): Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor
- Canadian Cinema Editors Awards (nominee): Best Editing in Television Movie
- Critics Choice Television Awards (nominee): Best Supporting Actress
Surprised that Lifetime movies win awards? Don’t be. Lifetime’s biopics and mini-series have been nominated for Emmy awards multiple times since 1995, showing the channel has more creative talent than public perception gives it credit for.
For media inquiries, contact Charlie Breck, cbreck@gmail.com
About CenturyLinkQuote
CenturyLinkQuote is a Authorized Sales Agent that offers Internet, TV and Phone Service across the United States. Find speed availability here or call us at 1-855-640-4510.
For media inquiries, please contact hilary@centurylinkquote.com
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re like more than half of all Americans, you’re already stockpiling chocolate, roses, and candy galore. You might also be about to indulge in one of America’s most popular February pastimes: watching your favorite Hallmark movies.
“Their movies are as comforting as programming can be,” said movie producer Brad Krevoy in an interview for a Business Insider article. This is in part because viewers can always rely on a happy ending and a feel-good vibe throughout each flick.
The Hallmark Channel—home to hundreds of feel-good romance and holiday movies—is one of the only cable channels that saw an uptick in views over the past few years. With 85 million reported viewers in November and December of 2016, Hallmark often tied for viewership with ESPN and Fox News. Whether you adore Hallmark movies or think they’re too saccharine to make for good TV, the channel is destined to remain one of the most popular (and powerful) around.
Below, you’ll find each continental state’s favorite 2017 Hallmark original. The analyst team at Internet Service Partners used IMDB’s list of the most popular Hallmark movies made in 2017. We plugged each of the top ten movie titles into Google Search Trends to determine which state was searching for which movie most frequently. Our time range was Jan 1, 2017 to Jan 1, 2018.
#1: Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts
Fourteen states searched Murder, She Baked: Just Desserts more frequently than any other Hallmark movie on our list, making it the most popular Hallmark movie nationwide.
If you haven’t seen the film, you can guess based on the title that this movie isn’t your typical cozy romance. Instead, it’s the latest in a series of five film adaptations of Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen murder mystery series. The films and books follow professional baker Hannah Swensen as she works to solve murder mysteries, butting heads (and kindling romantic tension) with Detective Mike Kingston.
The Murder, She Baked series’ popularity indicates that Americans prefer their romances with a healthy dose of suspense that can bring the heroine and hero together for good.
Murder, She Baked ranked first in the following states and districts:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- The District of Columbia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- South Dakota
#2: The Christmas Cottage
The Christmas Cottage tells the story of Lacey Quinn, a woman who, in spite of being engaged and acting as the maid of honor for her best friend, doesn’t believe in true love. Her feelings might change when she and her former beau are stranded at the Christmas Cottage, the cozy cabin Lacey is decorating for the bride to be and where couples who stay overnight are destined for lasting true love.
Along with illustrating Hallmark watchers’ love of Christmas movies, The Christmas Cottage’s popularity indicates that Americans are looking for reasons to overcome cynicism and believe in idealism this year.
The Christmas Cottage took the cake in the following states:
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Utah
- West Virginia
#3: The Birthday Wish
In The Birthday Wish, the main character, Gwen, desperately wants her boyfriend to propose to her. A supernatural twist lets her pay a visit to the future, where she learns that a different romantic outcome could be better for her in the long run.
The movie features recurring Hallmark heartthrob Luke MacFarlane along with a healthy dose of cuddly on-screen puppies, so it’s little wonder this film was the top search in states as far apart as California and Massachusetts:
- California
- Florida
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Texas
If you want to check out The Birthday Wish for yourself, it next airs on Hallmark on Friday, March 9th.
#4: A Royal Winter and My Favorite Wedding
A Royal Winter and My Favorite Wedding tied for fourth place, with each film coming in first in five states. A Royal Winter follows an American tourist in Europe who falls in love with a man who, unbeknownst to her, is a prince about to be crowned king.
In contrast, My Favorite Wedding revolves around a true-love skeptic (played by Maggie Lawson of Psych fame) who finds herself intrigued by a fellow skeptic in the wedding party—one whose career as a divorce lawyer might make him an even unlikelier catch.
States that favored A Royal Winter’s fairytale romance include:
- Alabama
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Missouri
And areas that identified with the more cynical Lawson in My Favorite Wedding include:
- Illinois
- Maryland
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Washington
Find out what the buzz is about by watching it live: A Royal Winter is airing on Hallmark on February 23 while My Favorite Wedding will make an appearance on March 3.
#5: Love on Ice and The Art of Us
Love on Ice explores the romance between a former ice skating champion and the new coach who believes she can succeed—perfect viewing for the Winter Olympics season.
Meanwhile, The Art of Us appeals to romantics, artists, and dog lovers alike as it tells the story of Harper Higgins, an art college fellow seeking tenure who might have found her best source of inspiration in her handsome dog walker.
Three states favored Love on Ice more than the others:
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
And these three preferred The Art of Us:
- Georgia
- Oklahoma
- Wisconsin
Love on Ice is slated for rebroadcast on February 18th, closer to Valentine’s Day than the other movies on this list, so give it a whirl if you want a romantic lift after the holiday ends.
#6: Falling for Vermont and Royal New Years Eve
It’s no surprise that Falling for Vermont is the most popular movie in Vermont and the nearby state of Rhode Island. In this romance, a famous author’s car crashes outside a small town in Vermont, where a single dad invites her to stay in his guesthouse until she regains her memory.
The nation’s other sixth-favorite Hallmark movie offers the same ambiance of A Royal Winter. In Royal New Year’s Eve, a fashion designer named Caitlyn works alongside heir-to-the-throne Prince Jeffrey to plan a New Year’s ball where Jeffrey is supposed to propose to another woman, sealing an important political alliance. But as Caitlyn and Jeffrey start to fall in love, they have to decide whether romance is more important than tradition and the state of the nation. This class-upset film was the favorite of Arkansas and Michigan.
Whatever your Hallmark Original of choice, there’s no question that Hallmark hits a soft spot for many in America. Do you have a passion for any of the films listed above? Is Hallmark one of the main reasons you hang on to your current TV and internet subscription? Is the most popular Hallmark film in your state your favorite, too, or do you prefer another film to the ones listed here?
Most importantly, is your go-to Hallmark movie queued up and ready to go for Valentine’s Day?
About CenturyLinkQuote
CenturyLinkQuote is a Authorized Sales Agent that offers Internet, TV and Phone Service across the United States. Find speed availability here or call us at 1-855-640-4510.
For media inquiries, please contact hilary@centurylinkquote.com
In theory, smartphones should make you more productive at work. After all, they give you easy access to email, let you chat with colleagues about important issues, and notify you about scheduling changes and upcoming meetings.
But since you’re likely reading this article on your smartphone—and at work, too—you don’t need me to tell you smartphones are both addictive and productivity-draining. (If you want to know how many times I checked my phone while writing these two paragraphs alone, you’re out of luck. The number is too high to share.)
But smartphones don’t necessarily deserve their bad rep: according to 2015 statistics compiled by the Pew Research Center, over 60% of smartphone users look up important medical information on their phones, over 40% use them to find real estate and job listings, and nearly 20% use them to apply for jobs. It should follow that your phone can be a helpful tool at work, too, not just a time-waster that keeps you from meeting quotas and deadlines.
If you’re tired of beating yourself up because you can’t tear yourself away from the newest game long enough to finish an important document, this article is for you. Keep reading for some tips on how to transform your smartphone from time-killing foe to time-saving friend. These mobile apps will help you stay productive while keeping you safe online.
Take Better Notes
Whether you prefer to type notes, scribble with your fingertip, or write with a stylus, there’s a note-taking app out there for you. Each of these apps is available for both iOS and Android.
- Evernote is one of the most popular organizing and note-taking apps for both businesses and individuals. Along with letting you write notes, the app lets you record audio files and collaborate with coworkers.
- Zoho Notebook lets you doodle, save websites, add photos and voice recordings, create checklists, and take notes—and it does it all on one gorgeous, easy-to-use format that suits the creative-minded and practical user alike.
- Want nothing more than the ability to take quick, easy notes on the go? Choose Simplenote. This free app lets you share notes and access them from any device, but that’s about it—perfect for the employee who loves clean space, zero frills necessary.
Accomplish Work Tasks on the Go
If you only use your phone to check email and Slack, you’re doing it wrong. In fact, going mobile just to tackle business communications might actually hamper your efficiency.
Checking your email at home, on vacation, or at lunch makes you feel like you’re constantly working, which can sap your efficiency and enthusiasm. Plus, constant text and email interruptions hinder your workflow during the regular nine to five.
Instead of using your phone as a constant source of work-related interruption and distraction, use it to tackle other work tasks around the office more efficiently:
- Travel a lot for work? Everlance is a mileage tracking app that also shows exactly how much you spend on travel for easy reimbursement.
- Cut the cord and start conference calls on the go with UberConference. This app makes hosting several parties simple, no matter where your work takes you. It also gives you the tools to schedule and record conference calls and to read quick summaries of each call.
- If your scanner and printer are constantly down, your phone can help. Dropbox Business lets you capture text, photos, and multi-page docs that it then sends to the cloud with your annotations. To get similar features plus expanded printer access, check out Evernote Scannable.
- Streamline expense tracking and minimize errors with Expensify, which lets you scan and upload receipts, reimburse employees within 24 hours, and prep for tax season with minimal hassle.
Listen and Learn
Skip the time-wasting games and try podcasts instead. As a burgeoning form of media that range from news broadcasts and educational courses to fictional stories, podcasts offer fascinating information that can enrich your life—for free:
- DFJ Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders is produced by Stanford and features talks from some of the foremost innovators in business. Subscribe to learn how to reduce workplace friction, empower your employees to succeed, and more.
- Social Pros focuses on social media marketing. Listen in to get updates and advice on creating ads that convert in the digital world.
- The Action Catalyst Podcast focuses on more than just business. You’ll also learn strategies for time management and self-discipline, along with getting tips from experts each week.
Of course, all work and no play leads to burnout—fast. Try these informative and fun podcasts the next time you need a mental break:
- Fresh Air, an NPR podcast hosted by Terri Gross, features interviews with everyone from authors, former spies, and actors to news correspondents, politicians, and military officers. You’ll learn something new and fascinating every time you listen.
- Simply need to rest and recharge your brain? Head over to MaximumFun.org, where you’ll find podcasts that range from quirky explorations of medical history to faux-courtroom judgments on the mundane and bizarre. You’ll learn something and laugh while you do it.
- Prefer stories that distract you and make your mind work to unravel plot puzzles? Try the ever-popular horror/fantasy Welcome to Night Vale or the lesser-known but no less gripping sci-fi drama Wolf 359.
Studies suggest that multitasking kills productivity, so don’t try to finish last quarter’s report while listening to interviews. Instead, listen to podcasts during your daily commute or weekend chores. You’ll make the most of time you usually consider wasted, and you’ll learn something to boot. If you’re interested in expanding your productivity with tech into your home, check out some tips on how to easily integrate smart tech into your home.
Have other tips to share? Help the rest of us break our bad phone habits—share your advice in the comments below!
Author bio: Kylie McQuarrie is a copywriter from Salt Lake City. When she’s not writing or fantasizing about owning a dog, you can find her reading, hiking, and drinking too much coffee.