The Most Googled Health Questions and Symptoms of 2024 in Every State

In today's digital age, the internet has become a primary source of health information, with millions of people turning to Google to research symptoms and health-related questions. Understanding these search trends provides valuable insights into the public's health concerns and priorities. That’s why we've analyzed Google Trends data over the past year to uncover the most Googled health symptoms and questions in every state. Additionally, we surveyed over 2,000 Americans to explore how frequently they use and trust Google for health information.
In this blog, we'll delve into the most searched health symptoms nationwide, highlight the top health questions people are asking, and share intriguing findings from our nationwide survey. By examining these trends, we aim to shed light on Americans' collective health interests and discuss the implications for health care education and awareness.
Key Findings
- The most searched health symptoms in 2024 were lightheadedness, hair loss, and memory loss.
- The top health questions Americans asked were, "How do I lower my cholesterol?", "What causes kidney stones?", "Why do I have a headache?", and "How do I get rid of dandruff?"
- One in three Americans always search their symptoms online before seeking health care advice.
- More than half (56%) have been convinced they have a health care diagnosis based solely on their Google searches.

Paging Dr. Google: Top Searched Symptoms in Every State
Across the United States, people are turning to Google to seek information about various health symptoms. Our analysis of Google Trends data over the past year revealed that lightheadedness, hair loss, and memory loss (amnesia) were among the most searched symptoms nationwide.
- Lightheadedness was the top searched symptom in six states, including Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Hair loss led the searches in five states: Alabama, Florida, Maryland, New York, and Texas.
- Memory loss was the most searched topic in Alaska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington, D.C.
In our home state of Washington, fatigue emerged as the most Googled symptom. This finding suggests that residents may be experiencing higher levels of stress, workload challenges, or lifestyle factors affecting their energy levels.
Other notable findings include:
- Fatigue also appears as a leading symptom in Illinois, Minnesota, and Utah, emphasizing a common concern across different areas.
- Bloating was the top search in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Nevada, indicating digestive concerns in these states.
- Congestion topped searches in Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, and South Carolina, possibly reflecting seasonal allergies or respiratory issues.
These search trends provide valuable insights into Americans’ collective health interests. They underscore the importance of addressing common symptoms through health care education and awareness initiatives. By understanding what people are most concerned about, health care professionals can better tailor their efforts to meet the specific needs of communities nationwide.
Americans' Top Health Concerns: What Google Searches Reveal
Our analysis of the most Googled health questions across the United States reveals several notable trends highlighting common health concerns among Americans.
Physical health concerns are prominent, with many seeking to understand and manage common ailments and chronic conditions. Questions like "What causes kidney stones?" and "Why do I have a headache?" topped searches in multiple states, indicating widespread concern about these issues. Additionally, queries such as "How do I lower my cholesterol?" and "How do I lower my A1C?" reflect a proactive interest in heart health and diabetes management across the country.
There is also a significant focus on personal wellness and preventive care. Many individuals are looking for ways to improve their overall health through lifestyle changes, evident in searches like "How to boost your immune system?" and "How to boost metabolism?" Nutritional awareness is highlighted by questions such as "How much water should I drink each day?" and "How much sodium per day?" The desire to distinguish between illnesses, as seen in queries like "What is the difference between a cold and the flu?", underscores a need for clear and accessible health information.
Lastly, concerns about mental health and well-being are evident across several states. Searches including "How to manage stress?", "How to improve sleep quality?", and "What are the symptoms of anxiety?" suggest that many Americans are seeking guidance on coping with stress, improving mental health, and addressing fatigue. This trend highlights the growing recognition of mental health as an integral component of overall wellness.
These trends demonstrate that Americans are actively searching for information to better understand their health issues, from chronic conditions and mental health to everyday ailments. The data underscores the importance of accessible and reliable health information to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being.

Online Searches Influence Health Choices
Our survey of over 2,000 Americans revealed compelling insights into how people use online resources for health information and the impact on their health behaviors. A significant majority—80%—choose self-assessment methods over seeking professional health care when they feel unwell. In fact, over one-third (36%) said that searching their symptoms online is their very first response when feeling unwell. This reliance on the internet is further highlighted by 71% who frequently use Google to interpret their symptoms, with 14% doing so every single time. Remarkably, one in three people (33%) always search their symptoms online before consulting a health care professional.
Generational and Gender Differences
This trend is especially pronounced among younger generations and women. Gen Z individuals are the most likely to always search their symptoms before seeking medical advice (39%), and women (37%) are more likely than men (29%) to do so. The influence of online information is substantial, with 56% of respondents having been convinced they have a health condition based on Google searches. Moreover, 55% often believe their self-diagnosis from online research is accurate, and over two-thirds say they have successfully self-diagnosed their condition using Google, meaning they suspected a specific illness based on their search and later discovered they were correct. On top of that, nearly half (47%) report that their self-diagnoses are often confirmed by a health care professional during a consultation or evaluation.
Social Media Trust Levels
Despite the heavy reliance on Google, trust in health advice from social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok is low, with 70% rarely or never trusting such information. However, younger generations exhibit higher trust levels—only 22% of Gen Z never trust social media for health advice, compared to 52% of Baby Boomers. The advent of AI tools is also making an impact, as nearly one-quarter (24%) have turned to AI like ChatGPT for health-related inquiries, with men (30%) more likely than women (19%) to do so.
Lifestyle and Purchasing Influence
Online health information significantly influences lifestyle and purchasing decisions. Half of Americans (51%) have changed their lifestyle or diet based on health advice found through Google, with younger generations more likely to do so (56% of Gen Z vs. 46% of Baby Boomers). Over a third (38%) have made changes based on social media advice, including 54% of Gen Z. Additionally, six in 10 Americans have purchased over-the-counter medications or supplements solely based on online research, with women (64%) more inclined than men (56%) to make such purchases.
Helpfulness on Information
While 81% of Americans report that using Google as a health resource has been more helpful than harmful, a majority (54%) frequently feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of online health information. This feeling is more prevalent among younger individuals, with 57% of Gen Z often or always feeling overwhelmed, compared to 42% of Baby Boomers. On average, Americans rate Google a six out of 10 in trustworthiness for health information, whereas health care professionals receive a higher trust rating of eight out of 10.
Reasons for Using Google
The reasons for turning to Google over professional help vary. The majority (72%) do so out of curiosity, 60% to save time with immediate answers, and 53% to handle issues independently to avoid health care costs. Other reasons include wanting to be better informed before a consultation (49%), seeking a second opinion (32%), lacking access to health care services (25%), feeling too embarrassed to ask someone else (25%), preferring anonymity (15%), and mistrust of medical professionals (14%). Notably, when asked about the most surprising illness they thought they might have based on Google searches (but didn't), 16% of respondents mentioned cancer, highlighting the potential anxiety induced by online self-diagnosis.
Closing Thoughts
As technology continues to shape how we access and interpret health data, it's crucial to ensure that individuals are guided toward accurate and trustworthy information. By understanding Americans' health concerns and behaviors, we can better tailor educational efforts and health care services to meet their needs.
Pacific Lutheran University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is committed to advancing health knowledge and empowering individuals through education. Our study highlights the significant reliance on online resources for health information and the varying levels of trust placed in different platforms. These insights reinforce the vital role of accessible, reliable health information in promoting well-being across the nation. We invite you to explore our ABSN program near Seattle, Washington, and how we are preparing highly competent nurses.
Methodology
To identify the most Googled health questions and symptoms in each state, we leveraged data from Google Trends covering the past 12 months. Our analysis began with a comprehensive list of over 40 symptoms sourced from Medline Plus alongside 40 common health-related questions frequently posed by the public. By examining the relative search interest for each symptom and question, we determined which terms were most prominently searched in every state over the specified period. Additionally, we surveyed 2,000+ Americans across the U.S. regarding how frequently they use and trust Google for health information.