Super Bowl Search Trends Research Finds Hotel Searches Spike, Restaurant Searches Drop in Host City

Yext, Inc. released new research on how consumer search behavior changes during the Super Bowl. The data revealed that Google Search Views skyrocket in key verticals like grocery and hospitality in the lead-up to the big game — particularly in the host city.

This research focuses on trends in Minneapolis, home of the Super Bowl last year, to give an idea of what businesses in Atlanta, home of Super Bowl LIII, can expect when an influx of football fans come to town in February. It also looks at shifts in consumer behavior across the U.S. during Super Bowl weekend.

“Customers are searching for grocery stores, hotels, and sportswear during Super Bowl week, particularly in the host city,” said Marc Ferrentino, Chief Strategy Officer at Yext. “This underscores the importance of providing perfect business information everywhere to bring in consumers when they’re most interested in transacting. It’s especially critical for brands to be in control of data like special hours, locations, events, and Super Bowl-related promotions across the web in the weeks leading up to the big game in order to take advantage.”

In the host city:

• Grocery Stores See Rising Search Views: As Minneapolis residents prepared to tailgate — or host friends at home for the big game — Google Search Views for markets and grocery stores in Minneapolis rose 14% week over week on the Friday before the Super Bowl, compared to a 6% lift nationally over the same period. Additionally, clicks-to-call for markets and grocery stores in Minneapolis rose 28% week over week on the Friday before the Super Bowl.

• Host City Hotel Boom: Driving directions for hotel & lodging businesses in Minneapolis rose 62% week over week on Super Bowl Sunday, compared to an 11% drop nationally over the same period.

• Getting Cash For The Big Game: Google Search Views for banking services in Minneapolis rose 8% week over week on the Friday before the Super Bowl, compared to a 20% drop the following Friday. Similarly, driving directions for banking services in Minneapolis rose 7% week over week on the Friday before the game.

• Visitors Hit Sporting Goods Stores: Google Search Views for sporting goods stores in Minneapolis rose 41% week over week on the Friday before the Super Bowl, likely indicating Super Bowl attendees are picking up sportswear for game day. Similarly, sporting goods store website clicks in Minneapolis rose 250% week over week on the Friday before the Super Bowl.

• Eating In On Super Bowl Sunday: With people attending Super Bowl parties or the big game, Super Bowl Sunday itself is not a big day for eating at restaurants. Google Search Views for restaurants in Minneapolis dropped 25% week over week on Super Bowl Sunday, compared to a 29% lift the following Sunday. Similarly, website clicks for restaurants in Minneapolis dropped 54% week over week on Super Bowl Sunday, compared to a 39% lift the following Sunday, and driving directions for restaurants in Minneapolis dropped 9% week over week on Super Bowl Sunday.