Being technology savvy has been associated with the younger generations ever since the first “Grandma can’t set the VCR clock” joke. The truth is, tech problems affect all generations, whether you’re a Boomer trying to change your Wi-Fi network password or a member of Gen Z struggling to understand a fax machine. None of us have the answers to every possible tech question, and why would we? We have the internet for that.
We were curious about the most common basic technology questions for our Hughesnet satellite internet service and how they differ from state to state, so we did some digging. We analyzed Google Trends data for 20 "basic" tech questions across a 12-month period. The term that ranked highest for search volume in each state was deemed the most popular.
We were expecting to see more questions about Wi-Fi. However, Americans seem to have the answers they need for wireless networks, possibly because access to Wi-Fi is so important many people claim to be Wi-Fi addicts. Anyhow, without further ado, here’s the inside scoop on the most common technology questions nationwide.
Your State’s Tech IQ Revealed
Privacy is important to many people, with multiple states asking either how to clear their cache or delete their search history. Virginia, unusually, was the only state to ask, “What is my IP,” one of the more complicated questions on the list. Apparently, Virginians are pretty tech-savvy.
Delaware, it appears, is doing its part to keep older technology relevant. The most common question in the Blue Hen State was, “How to send a fax?” We’re pretty sure we know why. Several major banks and federal facilities call Delaware home, and faxes remain an effective way to transfer large, sensitive documents.
Some states had particular concerns. Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Oklahoma, for instance, question why their phones go into SOS mode when disconnected from their cellular providers. This is probably due to the large rural areas in these states, which often lack cellular and internet infrastructure.
While the other 48 states are asking how to unzip files, clear their cache, and prevent popups, Wisconsin, California, and Massachusetts choose a simpler, more practical question. All they wanted to know was how to clean a laptop screen. We figure this means one of two things: either these very different states are running behind the rest of the nation regarding digital literacy, or they’re so far ahead they only need help with basic tasks that have slipped their minds.
Searches by Region
Some trends appear when you look at the different regions in the USA. The Midwest most often asks how to clear browser cache, suggesting a focus on privacy that’s in keeping with the practical Midwest mindset. The South, however, is more concerned with how to silence notifications, suggesting Southerners don’t want their real-life experiences interrupted by bings as new messages and app notifications come in.
The Northeast is divided between emptying cache and silencing notifications. Apparently, both issues are uppermost on Northeastern minds. Finally, we have the West. No concerns about cache and notifications there. Instead, they’re wondering how to unzip files.
Top Technology Questions Asked in the U.S.
Just because the media calls Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha digital natives doesn’t mean they instinctively understand how to schedule email or disable pop-up blockers. None of us are born with a built-in ability to handle technology. We have to be taught.
Perhaps that’s why so many of the nation’s basic tech questions seem so familiar. No less than 12 states search the most for how to clear cache, with another 5 asking how to delete search histories. We all value privacy and, well, sometimes the internet sends us—knowingly or unknowingly—down rabbit holes we might not want people to know about.
We were surprised only Alaska ranked ‘how to set internet speeds’ as its top question. Then again, staying connected is a priority for us all, and internet speed plays a huge role. Whether you're in the city or a rural area, a fast and reliable internet connection has become essential. Finding high-speed satellite internet can be a challenge, but the Hughesnet satellite internet service makes it possible by providing service to even the most remote and underserved communities in the USA.
It’s likely you’ve had to look for help unzipping files, setting up voicemail, or recovering forgotten passwords. These are tech questions we’ve all had to ask about at some point. Navigating new (and sometimes outdated) technology is a modern rite of passage, and isn’t it comforting to know that in a world filled with divisions, there are some things, no matter how small they may seem, that we all share in common? Even if it’s just needing to know how to handle basic technology issues.
