Montana Ranks 48th in AI Search Activity

A CrowdReply analysis of Google searches for AI chatbots ranks Montana near the bottom among all 50 states.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single fiber-optic cable rising from sparse prairie grass toward distant mountains, evoking Montana's low position in AI search activity. — Montana ranked 48th of 50 states in Google searches for AI chatbots, averaging about 24,516 searches per 100,000 residents over the past year, according to a CrowdReply analysis. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think you rely on AI more or less than a year ago?

CrowdReply analyzed monthly Google searches for AI chatbots in every state over the past 12 months, normalized per 100,000 residents. Montana ranked 48th of 50 states, averaging 24,515.72 AI-related searches per 100,000 residents.

Why it matters

The ranking places Montana well below the national leaders, with New York reporting the highest rate at 52,486.78 searches per 100,000 residents. Montanans searching for AI tools at a lower rate than most of the country is a measurable gap in digital engagement.

CrowdReply's study measured AI-related Google searches per 100,000 residents across all 50 states over 12 months, with Montana averaging 24,515.72 and ranking 48th. Only South Dakota and West Virginia rank lower, and the study does not establish the cause of the variation.

The players

CrowdReply

CrowdReply is a company that conducted the analysis of AI chatbot search activity across U.S. states.

Google

Google is the search engine whose query data served as the basis for measuring AI-related search activity in each state.

The details

CrowdReply examined Google searches for AI chatbots in each state each month over the past year, then normalized the counts per 100,000 residents so states of different sizes could be compared. California and Georgia also rank among the highest-searching states. One possible factor cited for Montana's low position is internet access, though faster service from Starlink, TDS fiber and Spectrum has expanded in parts of the state while rural connectivity gaps remain.

Over the past 12 months, CrowdReply collected monthly Google search data for AI chatbots in every state.
Article reporting the ranking was published on November 2, 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

Montana's broadband buildout from Starlink and TDS fiber alongside Spectrum expansion has narrowed the connectivity gap in parts of the state. The AI search ranking suggests that improved access has not yet closed the gap in digital engagement with AI tools relative to other states.

For Montana residents, the ranking reflects how often people in the state search for AI chatbots compared with the rest of the country. Those with limited internet access may find that connectivity, rather than interest alone, shapes how easily they can use AI tools for work, school or everyday tasks.

The takeaway

AI search activity varies widely by state, and connectivity may be one factor. Residents who rely on AI tools can check whether their home internet options have improved recently.