The Top 'How to' Searches in Every State During the Pandemic

woman cutting her own hair

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Your Top 'How to …' Searches

Raise your hand if you knew how to make your own lip gloss before the coronavirus pandemic arrived. Or measure your own ring size. With businesses shut down nationwide and social distancing guidelines in place, Americans have been embracing DIY culture — learning to do without hairdressers, tailors, jewelers, handymen, and dozens of other services in ways they likely never would have considered otherwise. The top "how to" Google queries in each state for the past 30 days offer a glimpse into how life has changed, what people are finding out how to do for themselves, and how they're passing the time. Spoiler alert: There's intense interest in the Michael Jordan docuseries "The Last Dance" and Elon Musk's new baby, named X Æ A-12. There is also widespread confusion about the name of the TV show "How to Get Away With Murder," which had its series finale May 14 on ABC.


Related: What Americans Are Really Shopping for During the Pandemic

Carpenter Bee
2ndLookGraphics/istockphoto

Alabama

How to get rid of carpenter bees — up 3,950%
How to make a live wallpaper (a moving background image for a smartphone) — up 2,050%
How to get rid of hiccups — up 1,950%
How to deactivate my Facebook — up 1,850%
How to check on my stimulus check — up 90%

Keep Hand Sanitizer on Hand
galitskaya/istockphoto

Alaska

How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How long to boil eggs — up more than 5,000%
How to make buttermilk — up more than 5,000%
How to make a face mask with fabric — up 3,650%
How to write a check — up 3,600%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to January 2020.

gnats
alexmak72427/istockphoto

Arizona

How to get rid of gnats — up more than 5,000%
How to get your stimulus check — up more than 5,000%
(Also in the top five: "how to track your stimulus check," up 3,050%)
How to measure your ring size — up 4,050%
How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 3,050%
How to enable 2fa (two-factor authentication, for extra security online) — up 2,050%

The Rubik's Cube Craze Catches on in 1980
ChristianChan/shutterstock

Arkansas

How to solve a rubix cube (or Rubik's Cube) — up 2,850%
How to track your stimulus check — up 2,800%
(Also in the top five: "how to track stimulus check," up 300%)
How to get rid of moles — up 2,750%
How to screenshot on Mac — up 300%
How to make slime — up 110%

scan QR code
JGalione/istockphoto

California

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 1,500%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 1,450%
How to scan a QR code — up 600%
How to check status of stimulus check — up 400%
(Followed by "how to track your stimulus check," up 200%; "how to check on stimulus check," up 190%; and "how to check on your stimulus check," up 160%)
How much does it cost to build a house — up 130%

Sprinkler System
MariuszBlach/istockphoto

Colorado

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up more than 5,000%
How to turn on sprinkler system– up 3,900%
How to make hummingbird food — up 1,900%
How to make crepes — up 1,900%
How to track stimulus check — up 900%

the last dance
Amazon

Connecticut

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up more than 5,000%
"How to Get Away With a Murderer" season 6 — up 2,450%
(Also in the top five: "How to Get Away With a Murderer" cast, up 1,350%)
How to track your stimulus check — up 2,350%
How to delete Facebook — up 500%
How to make whipped coffee — up 160%

Homemade Mask
Rike_/istockphoto

Delaware

How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to make a face mask — up more than 5,000%
(Also in the top five: "how to make a face mask with fabric," up more than 5,000%)
How to track a stimulus check — up more than 5,000%
How to file for unemployment — up more than 5,000%
How to use Zoom — up more than 5,000%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.


Related: How to Disinfect Without Harming Your Stuff (or Yourself)

love bug
Bhupinder Bagga/istockphoto

Florida

How to get rid of love bugs — up 2,350%
How to check on stimulus check — up 300%
(Also in the top five: "how to check status of stimulus check," up 170%)
How to make fried chicken — up 200%
How to make pancakes — up 150%
How to find the mean — up 120%


Related: 20 Chef Secrets for Crisp, Juicy Fried Chicken

Cheap Ways to Fight Migraines
laflor/istockphoto
whipped coffee
Crystal Bolin Photography/istockphoto

Hawaii

How to make mask — up more than 5,000%
(Also in the top five: "how to make a mask," "how to make face mask," and "how to make a face mask," all up more than 5,000%)
How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to file for unemployment — up more than 5,000%
How to get a stimulus — up more than 5,000%
How to make whipped coffee — up 3,450%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.


Related: 18 Critical Steps to Take When You’ve Been Laid Off

Hard-Boiled Eggs
bhofack2/istockphoto

Idaho

How to get a stimulus check — up more than 5,000%
How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to watch "The Last Dance" — up more than 5,000%
How to make a face mask with fabric — up more than 5,000%
How to hard-boil eggs — up 4,350%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to January 2020.

Avocado
Backgroundy/shutterstock

Illinois

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up more than 5,000%
How to ripen avocados — up 800%
How to fall asleep faster — up 350%
How to draw a nose — up 350%
How to make a mask out of a bandanna — up 300%

Terro Liquid Ant Baits, 12 Ct.
Amazon

Indiana

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up more than 5,000%
How to track your stimulus check — up more than 5,000%
How to get rid of ants — up 4,100%
How to write a cover letter — up 3,150%
How to fade hair — up 3,100%


Related: 22 Cheap, Natural Ways to Rid Your Home of Pests

zoom
Cheapism

Iowa

How to make a mask — up more than 5,000%
(Followed by "how to make a face mask," also up more than 5,000%)
How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to get stimulus check — up more than 5,000%
How to use Zoom — up more than 5,000
How to file for unemployment in Iowa — up more than 5,000%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to January 2020.


Related: 20 Hacks and Tips for Video Chatting on Zoom, Hangouts, and More

buttermilk
S847/istockphoto

Kansas

How to make a live wallpaper — up 2,250%
How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 2,200%
How to get rid of hiccups — up 190%
How to make buttermilk — up 90%
How to track stimulus check — up 90%

making paper airplane
Nikada/istockphoto

Kentucky

How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 3,700%
How to make a paper airplane — up 2,950%
How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 2,150%
How to wear a surgical mask — up 1,550%
How to make hummingbird food — up 1,450%

Preventative: Back Up Your Data
Tero Vesalainen/istockphoto

Louisiana

How back up iPhone — up 450%
"How to Get Away With a Murderer" season 6 — up 300%
How to check on stimulus check — up 250%
How to lose belly fat fast — up 200%
How to delete an Instagram page — up 110%

 custom face masks
adamkaz/istockphoto

Maine

How to make a mask — up more than 5,000%
(Also in the top five: "how to make a face mask," up more than 5,000%)
How to file for unemployment in Maine — up more than 5,000%
(Followed by "how to file for unemployment," also up more than 5,000%)
How to check status of stimulus check — up more than 5,000%
How to use Zoom — up more than 5,000%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.

Washing Machine
Lazy_Bear/istockphoto

Maryland

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 3,450%
How to clean washing machine — up 2,550%
How to track your stimulus check — up 1,750%
How to make lip gloss — up 1,700%
How to stop snoring — up 1,650%

shopping with mask
SbytovaMN/istockphoto

Massachusetts

How to wear a face mask — up 3,650%
How to solve a rubix cube — up 3,000%
How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 2,950%
"How to Get Away With a Murderer" season 6 — up 2,850%
How to make lasagna — up 650%

Create Play Time
Sergey Nivens/shutterstock

Michigan

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 3,650%
How to track your stimulus check — up 1,800%
(Also in the top five: "how to track stimulus check," up 200%)
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 1,200%
How to write a song — up 180%
How to boil corn — up 110%


Related: 41 Things to Do to Before Lockdown Ends

Potatoes
luoman/istockphoto

Minnesota

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up more than 5,000%
How to boil potatoes — up 3,500%
How to take a screenshot on a PC — up 3,350%
How to solve a rubix cube — up 2,350%
How to track your stimulus check — up 2,300%

New Orleans, LA
sandoclr/istockphoto

Mississippi

How to boil crawfish — up more than 5,000%
How to cancel Netflix — up more than 5,000%
"How to Get Away With a Murderer" — up 300%
How to cook salmon — up 110%
How to apply for unemployment in MS — up 50%

Mango
Mango by Ella Olsson (CC BY)

Missouri

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 3,200%
How to cut a mango — up 2,150%
How to make hummingbird food — up 2,100%
How to set up a Zoom meeting — up 1,000%
"How to Train Your Dragon" — up 450%

French Toast
topseller/shutterstock

Montana

How to make French toast — up 4,950%
How to make a face mask with fabric — up 2,400%
How to make buttermilk — up 2,400%
How to make hand sanitizer — up 350%
How to file for unemployment — up 200%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.

Baked Potato
Iamthatiam/istockphoto

Nebraska

How to make a face mask — up more than 5,000%
(Also in the top five: "how to make a face mask with fabric" and "how to make a mask with fabric," both up more than 5,000%)
How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to bake a potato — up more than 5,000%
How to make a paper airplane — up more than 5,000%
How to cut your own hair — up 4,350%

moths at night
NeagoneFo/istockphoto

Nevada

How to get rid of moths — up more than 5,000%
How to get rid of flies — up 350%
How to check status of stimulus check — up 300%
How to screenshot on Windows — up 250%
How to get free Robux (for the game "Roblox") — up 100%

chipmunk
arlutz73/istockphoto

New Hampshire

How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to sew a face mask — up more than 5,000%
(Followed by "bandanna mask how to," up more than 5,000%)
How to test for coronavirus — up more than 5,000%
How to get rid of chipmunks — up 3,400%
How to cut your own hair — up 2,550%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.

National Margarita Day
Jennifer_Sharp/istockphoto

New Jersey

How to check status of stimulus check — up 3,300%
(Also in the top five: "how to track stimulus check," up 140%, and "how to get stimulus check," up 130%)
How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 1,750%
How to ripen avocados — up 1,650%
How to make a margarita — up 80%
"How to Get Away With Murderer" season 6 — up 80%

Crunches Kill Belly Fat
gradyreese/istockphoto

New Mexico

How to lose belly fat fast — up more than 5,000%
How to get rid of moths — up 3,400%
How to take a screenshot — up 170%
How long to boil eggs — up 80%
How to make buttermilk — up 60%

chiropractor
SARINYAPINNGAM/istockpoto

New York

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 3,700%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 1,150%
How to become a chiropractor — up 850%
"How to Get Away With Murderer" cast — up 500%
How to make a mask out of a bandanna — up 350%

frozen strawberries
dirkr/istockphoto

North Carolina

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 1,800%
How to watch the NFL draft — up 1,000%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 750%
How to put on N95 mask — up 450%
How to freeze strawberries — up 400%


Related: 16 Foods to Freeze for Later (and How to Do It Right)

Lose Weight …
wutwhanfoto/istockphoto

North Dakota

How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to make a face mask — up more than 5,000%
(Also in the top five: "how to make a face mask with fabric," up more than 5,000%)
How to screenshot on a Mac — up more than 5,000%
How to lose weight fast — up 150%
How to boil eggs — up 60%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.

bandana mask
JannHuizenga/istockphoto

Ohio

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 3,350%
How to make a mask out of a bandanna — up 1,900%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 1,850%
How to watch the NFL draft — up 1,650%
How to check on your stimulus check — up 300%

cut your own hair
Estradaanton/istockphoto

Oklahoma

How long to bake potatoes in the oven — up 3,850%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 3,800%
How to apply for a stimulus check — up 1,850%
(Followed by "how to track a stimulus check," up 450%, and "how to track your stimulus check," up 300%)
How to delete apps — up 200%
How to cut your own hair — up 110%

How to build a girl
Amazon

Oregon

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 4,450%
"How to Build a Girl" (a movie starring Beanie Feldstein that began streaming recently) — up 2,950%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 2,200%
How to watch the NFL draft — up 1,400%
How to lose belly fat — up 190%

frost on plants
yuriz/istockphoto

Pennsylvania

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 2,000%
How to protect plants from frost — up 2,000%
How to make a margarita — up 1,450%
How to paint kitchen cabinets — up 950%
How to make whipped cream — up 600%

Apply for Unemployment
glegorly/istockphoto

Rhode Island

How to make a mask — up more than 5,000%
(Followed by "how to make a face mask," up more than 5,000%)
How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to file for unemployment — up more than 5,000%
How to get stimulus check — up more than 5,000%
How to make pizza dough — up more than 5,000%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to January 2020.

letter in envelope
Pheelings Media/istockphoto

South Carolina

How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 3,100%
How to watch the NFL draft — up 2,950%
How to make whipped coffee — up 2,950%
How to make a mask out of a sock — up 1,450%
How to address an envelope — up 1,450%

Hard-Boiled Eggs
bhofack2/istockphoto

South Dakota

How to make a face mask — up more than 5,000%
How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to hard-boil eggs — up 3,150%
How to screenshot a Mac — up 180%
How to lose weight fast — up 140%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.

Instagram
Anatoliy Sizov/istockphoto

Tennessee

How to track your stimulus check — up more than 5,000%
(Followed by "how to track my stimulus check," up more than 5,000%)
How to make a mask out of a bandanna — up 4,700%
"How to Get Away With a Murderer" cast — up 1,950%
How to delete an Instagram account — up 1,900%
How to solve a rubix cube — up 1,900%

jump start car
SARINYAPINNGAM/istockphoto

Texas

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 2,400%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 1,500%
How to play spoons — up 250%
How to jump-start a car — up 190%
How to make a mask out of a bandanna — up 190%

plant potatoes
eag1e/istockphoto

Utah

How to plant potatoes — up more than 5,000%
How to watch "The Last Dance" — up more than 5,000%
How to make hummingbird food — up 4,000%
How to potty train a puppy — up 1,900%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 1,900%

homemade french toast
Aneta_Gu/istockphoto

Vermont

How to make a face mask — up more than 5,000%
How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to screenshot on windows — up more than 5,000%
How to make French toast — up 3,550%
How long to boil eggs — up 60%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.

whipped cream
NicolasMcComber/istockphoto

Virginia

How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 3,950%
How to recall an email in Outlook — up 1,950%
How to make whipped cream — up 1,300%
How to pronounce "X Æ A-12" — up 600%
How to paint kitchen cabinets — up 600%

french braid
Natalya Vilman/istockphoto

Washington

How to bake a potato — up 3,650%
How to watch "The Last Dance" — up 3,550%
How to French braid — up 2,150%
How to cook lobster tail — up 2,100%
How to feed sourdough starter — up 1,400%

ant problem
DZM/istockphoto

West Virginia

How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to make a face mask — up more than 5,000%
(Followed by "how to make a face mask with fabric," up more than 5,000%)
How to cut your own hair — up more than 5,000%
How to get rid of ants — up 4,700%
How to file for unemployment in WV — up 3,050%


Note: To come up with enough trending search terms, the timeline was extended to the past 90 days.

Poached Eggs
JoeGough/istockphoto
Homemade hand sanitizer
MonicaNinker/istockphoto

Wyoming

How to make hand sanitizer — up more than 5,000%
How to screenshot on a Mac — up 3,350%
How to make a face mask — up 200%


Note: Only three trending search queries were available from January through present.