Google data research has revealed the surprising (mis)conceptions about what we really think about vegans, plant-based diets and the people on them – and if you’ve ever found yourself wondering if veganism is a religion, does veganism give you gas, why vegans don’t eat honey or if a plant-based diet helps you live longer, you’re not alone.
Vegan on Female First
In fact, according to recent research from new vegan cake brand Bells & Whistles, veganism is a very highly researched topic, and some of the queries are Unusual to say the least.
Summary of findings:
- A third of search queries made on Google point to an interest in becoming vegan
- Honey versus veganism is one of the most commonly searched topics
- More than a quarter of queries are related to veganism and health
- Less than one in ten of the searches were of a judgemental nature
- Searches including ‘Are vegans allowed in Texas?’ and ‘Is veganism a religion?’ suggest high levels of confusion among non-vegans.
A team of researchers at vegan brand Bells & Whistles analysed Google autocomplete data relating to hundreds of search queries to discover the most asked questions relating to vegans and veganism.
Some of the weirder questions showed widespread confusion about veganism and the law, with ‘Are vegans allowed in Texas?’ and ‘Can I be vegan in the military?’, alongside more out there questions such as ‘Why are vegan so gassy?’ and ‘Do vegans eat meat?’
Around a third of the searches (30%) suggested some interest from the user in becoming vegan. ‘Can I be vegan if I’m anaemic?’, ‘Is veganism sustainable?’ and ‘Can I be vegan and keto?’.
One in ten searches suggested the user was concerned about or interested in the health effects of veganism. Among the most common searches were; ‘How do vegans get calcium?’, ‘Is veganism good for you?’ and ‘Why are vegans always cold?’
The most common searches starting with ‘Are vegans…’ were ‘Are vegans healthier?, ‘Are vegans gluten-free? and ‘Are vegans skinny?’
Judgement
Although the majority of searches suggested neutral or positive perceptions of veganism, a small minority appeared to be based on negative assumptions. For example, for searches beginning with ‘why are vegans…’ one autocomplete suggestion made by Google was ‘why are vegans so sanctimonious?’ Google also suggested ‘Veganism is...a fad’.
Commenting on the findings, Bells & Whistles’ Josh Boydell-Smith said: “It’s great to see such a high level of interest in veganism and the positive queries people are making. There seems to be a genuine interest in trying veganism, with people checking out the health implications and benefits of doing so. However, it’s also interesting that some are still clinging to old-fashioned stereotypes about veganism, which are sometimes quite ridiculous!
“We’re trying to change how the world sees ‘free from’ foods so there’s obviously still some way to go! Hopefully, the more people research, the more they’ll come to realise that vegan foods can be healthy, rewarding and satisfying – even if they don’t eat vegan all the time.”
Most common searches
Are vegans…
Healthier?
Gluten-free?
Skinny?
Can vegans…
Eat honey?
Eat bread?
Eat eggs?
Why are vegans…
Vegan?
Against honey?
So gassy?
How do vegans…
Get protein? Get calcium?
Get B12?
Is veganism…
Healthy?
A religion?
Growing?
Does being vegan…
Make you skinny?
Give you acne?
Make you tired?
Vegan…
Restaurants near me
Population
Recipes
Veganism is…
Classist
Religion
Privileged
When do vegans…
Eat?
Eat eggs?
Farts stop?
How come vegans…
Don’t eat honey?
Are so skinny?
Don’t eat eggs?
Most unusual searches
“Are vegans allowed in Texas?”
“Is coke vegan?”
“Do vegans eat meat?”
“Does veganism cause hair loss?
“Is veganism a word?”
“Are vegans pro-life?”
See www.bells-whistles.co.uk for more information. Instagram @eatbellsandwhistles
Tagged in Vegan