How sexually curious are your neighbors?
Peachy, Australia’s largest adult toy store, analyzed Google search data and compiled a list of the top 10 most sexually curious states, based on who’s searching for spicy terms and asking sex-related questions.
The racy results showed that many from conservative states were very curious to learn more, and when the “birds and bees” talk isn’t a common conversation, the internet is just a few clicks away.
According to the study, Utah is the most sexually curious state, scoring a perfect 100.
The high ranking may be due to the large population of people in the state who are part of the Mormon church.
“Curiosity about sex is a natural part of being human, especially in places where open discussions about intimacy may still be considered taboo,” Amy Williams, a sexual intimacy expert and the CEO of Peachy, said in a statement.
Many people, seemingly starved for basic sex education, are hitting up Google for a bit of private knowledge — especially in states like Utah.
While the only “dirty” activity those in the traditionally conservative religion are typically associated with is drinking dirty sodas, in their private browsers people, in Utah were most interested in “BDSM,” “polyamory” and “voyeurism.” (Anyone else watch “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”?)
“The stark contrast between conservative teachings and natural human curiosity drives many Utah residents to seek information privately online,” sexpert Williams explained.
“The data collected in our study highlights how people turn to the internet for information they might not feel comfortable discussing elsewhere,” she added.
Naughty New York follows behind Utah as the second-most sexually curious state. New York’s diverse, sexually progressive population places it high on the list at 96.12.
With so many cultures, lifestyles and perspectives coming into (fore)play, it makes sense that New Yorkers would be on the cutting edge of exploring new ideas about relationships and intimacy.
Williams noted that New Yorkers are “naturally curious” and that the city’s vibrant mix of influences probably encourages open-mindedness in exploring all things sexual.
Third on the list is Nevada — home of the notoriously sexy “Sin City,” Las Vegas.
Along with the city’s reputation for adult entertainment and 24/7 nightlife, Nevada is also home to rural areas and conservative views, which likely leads to an intriguing mix of search queries — especially from those on the outskirts of the glitz and glamour of Vegas.
The state’s ranking of 90.63 hints that sexual curiosity extends well beyond the neon lights.
Washington state scored 87.47, and while it may have a reputation for liberal thinking, gaps in sexual education have likely spurred a spike in sexy searches as people have been left to Google their questions.
“Even in states with generally progressive attitudes, there can still be disparities in education access, especially for LGBTQ+ youth,” Williams said.
Meanwhile, Georgia (86.27), a state that has been teetering between being progressive and conservative in recent years, has also fueled a lot of spicy search activity.
Many schools in the Southern state are still teaching abstinence-only sex education, leaving students to turn to the internet for lessons on what happens on their wedding night.
“In an age where virtually everyone has access to the internet, young people can feed their curiosity about certain subjects without the shame that comes from asking potentially unaccepting adults,” Williams said.
“The data speaks volumes about the way people seek out information on their own when traditional resources fall short,” she continued. “This study reminds us of the importance of comprehensive sex education and open conversations.”
Leaving youngsters to turn to the internet for sex education has already been proven to be detrimental to their health — it’s noted as one of the main reasons teen condom use is down and STDs are on the rise.
