Dmitry Kandratsyeu • January 30, 2024
Browser games are fun for everyone. They’ve captivated people all over the world for decades, and that trend looks set to continue into the future. Before the internet, these same games were popular in paper and card formats.
From word-based challenges to strategic number games and traditional card games, these browser games offer a quick escape into a world of fun and mental stimulation.
But which one sits atop the mighty browser game throne? Who’s number one? At Solitaires, we believe in providing high-quality browser games to everyone. They’re fun and good for your brain, and we were genuinely curious about how popular they are worldwide.
We dove into the numbers utilizing Google Keyword Planner, and found which games were the most searched and which states had the most searches for them.
Here are America's top 5 browser games based on the number of searches in 2023. Join us as we delve deeper into each game's unique appeal and why they are America's favorites.
Searches: 1.9 billion
Wordle has captured the hearts of Americans with its simple yet addictive gameplay. The game presents players with a five-letter word and a jumble of letters to choose from, challenging them to guess the correct word in six turns or less.
The game is easy to learn and offers an online multiplayer option. It’s a great way to connect with friends and family while exercising your vocabulary skills.
Searches: 372 million
Solitaire could be the biggest cause of lost productivity in the workplace in human history. It has been a staple on every computer since Windows 3.0.
Why?
It’s popular and hard to stop once you start playing. Many people are guilty of starting a quick Solitaire game to kill a few minutes, with hours passing by before they realize it.
This classic card game offers endless entertainment with its various versions and difficulty levels, making it a go-to for many during downtime or work breaks. Its popularity is a testament to its simple yet engaging gameplay that appeals to all ages.
Searches: 190 million
For avid word enthusiasts, Crosswords offers a challenging and rewarding experience.
This game tests players' knowledge and vocabulary through clues and interlocking words, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a mental workout.
With a vast database of puzzles and new ones added daily, Crosswords offers endless brain-teasing fun.
Searches: 58 million
Sudoku may seem like just a game of numbers, but its popularity proves that it is much more than that.
The classic puzzle game of numbers requires logical thinking and strategic planning to fill in the numbers in a 9x9 grid.
It’s a perfect way for people to get the enjoyment out of a game and a simultaneous brain workout. Its simple rules and challenging gameplay make it an ideal choice for players of all ages.
Searches: 41 million
Rounding out our list is Jigsaw Puzzles. This game offers a traditional yet entertaining experience, challenging players to piece together various images from scattered pieces.
Jigsaw Puzzles are a great way to pass the time and provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment upon completion.
We collected data on the number of search queries for browser games. From the data, we divided the number of people according to the population data to find the number of queries per person in each state.
The data on the map shows the queries from each state. Let’s take a look at who plays the most and who plays browser games the least. The top 5 states with the highest search queries are:
| State | Queries per person |
|---|---|
| Vermont | 15.18 |
| Maine | 14.93 |
| Massachusetts | 14.7 |
| New Hampshire | 14.56 |
| Minnesota | 13.26 |
The bottom 5 states with the least amount of search queries include:
| State | Queries per person |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 3.53 |
| Louisiana | 4.62 |
| Arkansas | 4.79 |
| Texas | 4.87 |
| Oklahoma | 5.07 |
The data gathered shows that the Northeastern states (aka New England) have the highest number of searches for browser games, with Vermont taking the lead.
On the other hand, Southern states had some of the lowest numbers.
One thing in particular stands out. Although not in the top 5, states like Wisconsin and Minnesota are in the top 10, and they have something in common with the New England states: Long, harsh winters.
At least, that’s what we thought! It turns out that the number of searches is fairly consistent, regardless of season. Is it about education level? Wi-Fi availability?
We also found some data that shows a correlation between higher income, better healthcare, lower crime rates, and higher searches for browser games. But is that connected or a coincidence?
The data gathered doesn’t point to any single indicator. So likely, there are multiple factors at play here.
According to the report of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality:
The 5 states with the most playing rate (Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota) are in the top 10 for healthcare. The 4 states with the lowest playing rate (Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma) are in the bottom 10 for healthcare. Mississippi is in the middle.
According to the poverty report of CENSUS:
| State | Persons in povetry |
|---|---|
| Vermont | 10.4% |
| Maine | 10.8% |
| Massachusetts | 10.4% |
| New Hampshire | 7.2% |
| Minnesota | 9.6% |
| State | Persons in povetry |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 19.1% |
| Louisiana | 18.6% |
| Arkansas | 16.8% |
| Texas | 14% |
| Oklahoma | 15.7% |
According to the Wikipedia Crime Rate report:
| State | Crime rates per 100,000 inhabitants |
|---|---|
| Vermont | 173.4 |
| Maine | 108.6 |
| Massachusetts | 308.8 |
| New Hampshire | 146.4 |
| Minnesota | 277.5 |
| State | Crime rates per 100,000 inhabitants |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 291.2 |
| Louisiana | 639.4 |
| Arkansas | 671.9 |
| Texas | 446.5 |
| Oklahoma | 458.6 |
According to the medium household income report of CENSUS:
| State | Medium household income |
|---|---|
| Vermont | 74,014$ |
| Maine | 68,251$ |
| Massachusetts | 96,505$ |
| New Hampshire | 90,845$ |
| Minnesota | 84,313$ |
| State | Medium household income |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 52,985$ |
| Louisiana | 57,852$ |
| Arkansas | 56,335$ |
| Texas | 73,035$ |
| Oklahoma | 61,364$ |
We won't claim that there is a direct correlation between the popularity of browser games in the state by any single factor above. But there is definitely a tendency that the higher the standard of living of the people in the state in terms of health, welfare and other aspects, the more people there play browser games.
We also took the time to compare data on the number of browser game search queries per person in America and other countries for 2023. And here’s how the numbers stack up:
| Country | Queries per person |
|---|---|
| United States | 7.9 |
| Canada | 9.89 |
| Australia | 10.30 |
| United Kingdom | 12.81 |
Americans don’t play browser games nearly as often as other developed countries! Is it because they have so many options for their leisure time? Are they working long hours and have less downtime? Or is it just a lack of interest? We’re not sure.
Browser games hold a special place in the hearts of Americans. These games provide a quick, accessible form of entertainment that appeals to a wide range of age groups and interests.
Regardless of the reasons, browser games have solidified their place in the fabric of American recreational pastimes. They offer a blend of relaxation, mental stimulation, and fun.
