When outdoor temperatures climb and Americans look for ways to beat the heat, few things are as universally beloved—or as deeply ingrained in our culture—as a classic, sweet, frosty scoop of ice cream. It is the quintessential comfort food and the ultimate refresher rolled into one, bringing people together everywhere from bustling neighborhood scoop shops to quiet backyard family gatherings.
But this frozen treat is much more than just a social staple; it’s a serious economic engine. Ice cream is a major segment of dairy manufacturing, which contributes significantly to overall U.S. food and beverage output. In fact, according to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the ice cream industry supports more than 26,000 direct jobs and pumps a staggering $11.6 billion into the national economy each year.
Yet across the country, consumer preferences are far from uniform. Researchers at Trace One—a product lifecycle management and regulatory compliance software provider serving food and beverage, retail, cosmetics, and chemical manufacturers—analyzed Google Trends search data to track which ice cream brands garner the highest search interest across all 50 states, highlighting how brand loyalty shifts across state lines—from dominant regional dairies to iconic nationwide names.
Here are the key takeaways from the analysis:
Ice cream searches are highly seasonal, typically peaking in July. Google Trends data shows Americans’ interest in ice cream surges during the summer, with year-round search interest also increasing in recent years.
Blue Bell dominates the national ice cream landscape. The Texas-based ice cream maker is the most-searched national ice cream brand, followed by Baskin-Robbins and Ben & Jerry's.
Blue Bell leads 22 states, while Ben & Jerry's and Tillamook follow with 9 and 8 states, respectively. Other national brands claiming the most search traffic within individual states include Baskin-Robbins, Turkey Hill, Halo Top, and Breyers.
Locals prefer homegrown scoops. When considering regional ice cream brands, in 21 different states, the top brand is one that operates physical scoop shops exclusively within its home state's borders.
