FILIPINOS generate more AI-related searches per person than Americans, according to Google search data.
A new analysis from KalonAI, based on Google search data, found that the Philippines records approximately 61,450 monthly AI-related searches per 100,000 people, compared to 51,220 in the United States, a difference of approximately 20%. On a per-person basis, Filipinos average approximately 0.61 AI-related searches per month, compared to 0.51 among Americans.
Cebu City Leads the Philippines in AI Search Activity. At the city level, Cebu City ranks first nationwide, recording approximately 271,400 monthly AI-related searches per 100,000 people, 136% above the national average.
Angeles City follows closely behind with roughly 259,000 searches per 100,000 people (126% above average), while Makati City, Baguio City, and Iloilo City complete the top five.
Top 10 Cities for AI-Related Searches in the Philippines
- Cebu City
- Angeles City
- Makati City
- Baguio City
- Iloilo City
- Cagayan de Oro City
- Davao City
- Quezon City
- Manila City
- Pasig City
The rankings show that high levels of AI-related search activity are not limited to Metro Manila. Several regional cities, including Baguio, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro, rank well above the national average on a per-capita basis.
Metro Manila Shows Broad AI Search Activity
Several Metro Manila cities rank above the national average, including Makati, Quezon City, Manila, and Pasig.
However, no single National Capital Region (NCR) city records AI-related search activity at the same level as Cebu City or Angeles City.
AI-related searches within Metro Manila are distributed across multiple cities rather than concentrated in a single urban center.
Cities With Lower AI Search Activity
Several cities recorded substantially lower levels of AI-related search activity compared to the national average:
- Zamboanga City
- Marikina City
- Caloocan City
- Valenzuela City
- Malabon City
Zamboanga City ranks lowest overall with approximately 44,100 monthly AI-related searches per 100,000 people, 62% below the national average. Marikina City follows at 45% below average, while Caloocan City records search activity 45% below average.
Regional Rankings Show Strong Search Activity in NCR and Central Visayas
At the regional level, the National Capital Region (NCR) ranks first for AI-related search activity, recording approximately 96,070 monthly AI-related searches per 100,000 people, 78% above the national average.
Central Visayas follows with roughly 90,410 searches per 100,000 people (67% above average), while CALABARZON, the Davao Region, and Central Luzon complete the top five.
Top 10 Regions for AI-Related Searches in the Philippines
- NCR
- Central Visayas
- CALABARZON
- Davao Region
- Central Luzon
- Western Visayas
- CAR
- Northern Mindanao
- Ilocos Region
- Cagayan Valley
At the opposite end of the rankings, BARMM records approximately 12,740 monthly AI-related searches per 100,000 people, 76% below the national average.
SOCCSKSARGEN follows at 48% below average, while the Zamboanga Peninsula ranks third lowest at 41% below average.
The results show substantial differences in AI-related search activity across regions of the Philippines.
“What stands out is the breadth of AI-related search activity across the Philippines,” said a spokesperson for KalonAI. “The data shows strong search activity not only in major business centers, but also in regional cities and regions across the country.”
Methodology
This analysis is based on Google Keyword Planner data covering average monthly search volumes between June 2025 and May 2026.
AI-related search queries were analyzed for both the Philippines and the United States and adjusted for population to calculate per-capita search rates.
Over the analyzed period, the Philippines recorded approximately 61,450 monthly AI-related searches per 100,000 people, compared to 51,220 in the United States.
Within the Philippines, search data was analyzed at both the regional and city level. Volumes were aggregated across AI-related search terms and normalized by population to enable direct per-capita comparisons.
All regions and cities were ranked based on per-capita search activity rather than total search volume.
Navotas City and Puerto Princesa City were excluded due to insufficient location-level data.
Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash
