Let’s face it — we all love a good love story. And if it comes with a dramatic side of rose ceremonies, surprise blind dates, or scantily clad singles on a tropical island, most of us can’t look away!
Why do we love reality dating shows so much? Maybe it’s the irresistible blend of romance, competition, and the slightest touch of schadenfreude. Or is it the way these shows mirror our own experiences, albeit with a generous dash of Hollywood glamour, over-the-top twists, and a LOT more drama?
Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: we’re a nation hooked on the thrill of televised romance. We wanted to uncover the reality dating shows that have American hearts aflutter, one state at a time. So we took a deep dive into Google Trends data to reveal the top-searched reality dating show in every U.S. state and overall.
Is your state loyal to the classic high-stakes drama of The Bachelor? Or is it partial to Perfect Match‘s fusion of science, intuition, and sheer luck? Perhaps your state prefers a tropical twist and leans toward Love Island. The results might surprise you, so stay tuned as we reveal the answer to the burning question: which reality dating show is sweeping hearts across the nation?
The Most Popular Reality Dating Show in Every U.S. State
As our map clearly shows, Americans have diverse tastes in reality dating shows from state to state, and some states have a unique preference that stands out from the crowd.
For example, Oklahoma is the only state that favors Farmer Wants a Wife as its top dating show. If you’ve seen the recent season, you might have guessed why: Oklahoma native and hardworking cattle rancher Landon Heaton is one of the four farmers featured. His relatable, down-to-earth nature and authenticity resonated with Oklahomans and audiences nationwide, making the show a Sooner State favorite.
Oregon stands alone with its preference for Sexy Beasts, the reality dating show where single contestants embark on blind dates to find love. But here’s the catch — they’re transformed by professional-grade makeup and prosthetics into various creatures, from beavers to aliens to scarecrows. Each contestant remains concealed until the show’s end, forcing would-be couples to connect based purely on personality and not physical attraction, taking the idea of blind love to a new level!
Another standout state is New Jersey, the only state that favors the British reality dating show 5 Guys a Week. In this series, a single woman invites five men to live with her for (you guessed it) a week. The close proximity forces connections and confrontations, allowing the woman to determine her ideal partner from the candidates. From breakfast disputes to awkward bedtime arrangements, 5 Guys a Week offers a unique and entertaining spin on the traditional dating show format.
The Most Popular Reality Dating Shows Overall
Ready for the big reveal? In a surprise twist, the traditional heavyweights of American reality dating (90-Day Fiance and The Bachelor) are at the bottom of our list, with only two states each.
Leading the pack? Catfish locked in the number one spot with a solid fan base in 17 states. In this series, cohosts Nev Schulman and Kamie Crawford help people grappling with emotional entanglement with a suitor they only know online (so far) and help them determine if that someone is a legitimate love interest or a “catfish.” In an era where love often starts with a swipe right, this timely and often surprising reality dating show has earned its massive fandom from coast to coast.
In second place, with a tally of seven states, we find Perfect Match. The show’s compelling blend of compatibility testing and contestant interaction has captured viewers’ hearts. Its focus on chemistry and compatibility over superficial attraction provides a refreshing take on the dating show genre, earning its fair share of nationwide fans.
Considering Rock of Love first aired in 2007 and only ran for three seasons, its third-place spot on our list is impressive! The show featured former Poison frontman Bret Michaels and his search for love as a group of lively contestants competed for his affection and battled for a chance to win his heart. The rollercoaster of romance, drama, and unexpected twists made Rock of Love an unforgettable reality TV sensation that remains hugely popular today.
Closing Thoughts
Whether they’re locking lips in the back of a limo or being sent home with broken hearts, reality dating show stars continue to captivate our collective imagination as we vicariously follow their courtship journeys. With countless shows ranging from lighthearted to outrageous, there’s never a dull moment in the world of reality dating.
This study shines a light on Americans’ diverse taste in dating shows and serves as a reminder that love comes in all shapes and forms, often in ways we least expect it. The reality is that while most of us will never find ourselves falling for the down-to-earth rancher on Farmer Wants a Wife or seeking a genuine connection from behind layers of costume makeup on Sexy Beasts, we can all see a little of ourselves in the characters in these shows.
However you find your perfect match, turn your love story into reality with a piece of jewelry as unique as your partner. Shop our collection to find the perfect piece to celebrate your romantic journey.
Ever had your favorite reality dating show canceled? We can relate! Check out our Canceled TV Shows Americans Are Still Searching For blog to find out if your favorite canceled show makes the list!
Methodology
To determine the most popular reality dating show in each U.S. state and the top reality dating shows nationwide, we compiled a list of Americans’ most commonly watched reality dating shows and selected 33 related keywords. Next, we used Google Trends data to track searches over the last five years (2018 – 2023) for the 33 keywords. Finally, we compared the results and crunched the numbers to provide a data-driven look at American reality dating show preferences.
