Google Trends Reveal Search Interest in "Beer Pong" Down from Peak in 2009

By: Eric Teske, Alcohol and Other Drug Education and Prevention Coordinator, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Latest data reveals internet interest in beer pong may be on the decline and is certainly down from a peak in August 2009. According to Google Trends, a free online tool that displays the relative interest in online search terms, the trend for the term "beer pong" (combined with similar terms such as "beer pong table" and "beer pong rules") has not received as much interest after peaking several years ago. While online search interest appears to fluctuate over time, the current interest is hovering around 60 percent of the 2009 peak- a range not seen since around 2005-2006.

Combined Google Trend results for "beer pong+beer pong table+beer pong tables+beer pong rules+play beer pong" (Image source: Google Trends)

It's interesting to note that interest seems to spike each summer. Perhaps these searches are coming from first-year college students looking up rules to the game, learning more about it before heading off to school, or concerned parents. 

See how Google search interest in "beer pong" spread from the East Coast to the rest of the country over time (Image source: Google Trends)

Does this mean the most popular college drinking game is on the decline? Not necessarily. Just because people aren't searching for beer pong as frequently, doesn't mean college students have stopped playing. In fact, the Google Trends data probably has more to do with mainstream reporting on beer pong than it does with actual drinking rates.

The search term peaks in 2008 and 2009 could be explained by the increase in the number of popular news articles on the subject. Here are some headlines that could have contributed to the beer pong buzz:

• The War on Beer Pong - This TIME Magazine article from July 31, 2008, mentions a Nintendo Wii game called "Beer Pong" that was causing a lot of controversy at the time. 
• Introducing the next great American pastime: beer pong - This ESPN The Magazine article from January 14, 2008, describes the increasing popularity of beer pong tournaments and national championships. 

In my opinion, beer pong isn't seen as something new or underground anymore; it's become a mainstream part of the college drinking environment. With beer pong online and video games and countless references in movies and YouTube videos, beer pong is probably less exciting and mysterious to high school students. To illustrate my point, check out the Google Trends for the search term "smoking alcohol." The sudden spike in June 2013 is likely the result of the media catching wind of a dangerous new craze, but that doesn't mean everyone is doing it. It's new and different and interesting – hence, the surge in online searches.