Breaking up is hard to do, unless you're doing it over text.
From ghosting to one-line send-offs, texting has become the digital exit door for relationships. But where in the U.S. are people most likely to fire off a breakup message instead of facing the music?
We analyzed Google search volume for 10 different queries related to breaking up over text like “how to break up over text”, “breakup text examples”, and “is it okay to break up over text?”, to find out which states are relying most heavily on their phones to say, “it’s not you, it’s me.”
Key Findings
- Wyoming takes the #1 spot for breakup-by-text behaviour, with 17 searches per 100,000 people—the highest in the country.
- Vermont and Alaska rank 2nd and 3rd, showing that the most sparsely populated states may be leaning more into digital detachment.
- Larger states like California, Texas, and Florida fall further down the list, suggesting population doesn’t always correlate with emotional avoidance.
A Closer Look at the Top States
1. Wyoming
With the highest per capita search volume, Wyoming might just be the ghosting capital of America. It’s also the least populated state, which could play a role: fewer in-person interactions mean people may lean on texting more for communication—and confrontation. Whether it’s wide-open landscapes or just emotional bandwidth, breaking up via text seems to be the Wyoming way.
2. Vermont
Vermont's cozy, quiet vibe might suggest heart-to-hearts over coffee. But search behaviour tells a different story. With 15 searches per 100,000, residents are clearly Googling how to end things through their phones. It could be an age thing—Vermont has a growing younger demographic, and Gen Z is famously more comfortable with digital communication.
3. Alaska
With 14 searches per 100,000, Alaskans seem to prefer the path of least resistance when calling it quits. Distance and isolation may play a role here. When in-person conversations aren’t practical—or possible—texts are the next best (or easiest) option.
4. North Dakota
Tied closely behind is North Dakota, where 13 out of every 100,000 people are searching for breakup text help. Whether it’s because of long-distance relationships, smaller dating pools, or just good old-fashioned avoidance, North Dakotans seem to prefer not making a scene.
5. South Dakota
South Dakota follows at 11 searches per 100,000, rounding out the top five. Maybe it’s sibling rivalry with the north, or maybe everyone’s just learned to keep things short and sweet.
Top 10 States Most Likely to Break Up Over Text
What Are People Googling Before Hitting Send?
Here’s a sample of the most popular search terms:
- “how to break up over text”
- “breakup text examples”
- “is it okay to break up over text”
- “how to end a relationship over text”
- “what to say in a breakup text”
Whether people are looking for the right words, ethical validation, or a graceful exit strategy, it’s clear many are seeking a little help from Google before sending that fateful message.
Full State Rankings
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Why the Text Breakup?
Some blame Gen Z. Others blame dating apps. But the truth is, breaking up over text is fast, clear, and emotionally less taxing. And as this data shows, for some Americans—it’s not just common. It’s expected.
Methodology
We analyzed Google search volume for 10 keywords relating to breaking up over text, including:
- "break up over text,"
- "how to break up over text,"
- "breakup text,"
- "breaking up with someone over text,"
- "how to end a relationship over text,"
- "best breakup texts,"
- "what to say in a breakup text,"
- "is it okay to break up over text,"
- "should I break up over text,"
- "breakup text examples."
We ranked all 50 states based on searches per 100,000 people, using the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
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