Why is Wisconsin so liberal/stupid/awesome/cold?

The world wants to know. Or at least enough Google users seem to want to know that those are the top four words that come up on AutoComplete when you type the words “Why is Wisconsin so” in the search bar on Google. AutoComplete automatically adds the most popular phrase used to end a search query.

We know this because of an article at The Atlantic by Megan Garber on @Amazing_Maps, a Twitter feed that posts strange and scintillating cartography. The maps folks created a map of all 50 states using the top AutoComplete response.

For example, the top query for neighboring Minnesota was “Why is Minnesota so cold?” while Illinois gets besmirched with “Why is Illinois so corrupt?” Colorado must be happy with “Why is Colorado so fit?” as its top response, as is Ohio with “Why is Ohio so important?”

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania must be somewhat mystified that so many people are asking Google “Why is Pennsylvania so haunted?”

By the way, in regards to the questions about Wisconsin, the answers are: we’re not, we’re not, because and because. Thanks for asking, world!

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.