A recent study crowned Alabama the most absent-minded state in America, citing an eye-popping number of Google searches related to lost items. But a closer look at the data suggests the Yellowhammer State’s ranking may have less to do with forgetful residents and more to do with one of Alabama’s most unusual tourist attractions.
According to research by DuelBits, Alabama recorded 28,652 annual searches for lost-item related terms per 100,000 residents, earning the state the highest “absent-minded” score in the nation.
The biggest culprit?
Lost luggage.
The study found Alabama generated nearly 800,000 annual searches related to terms such as “airport unclaimed baggage,” “unclaimed luggage” and “forgot airport baggage.” Those searches helped propel Alabama past Colorado and Nevada for the dubious distinction of being America’s most forgetful state.
There’s just one problem with that conclusion.
Alabama is home to the nation’s only retailer dedicated to lost luggage.
Located in Scottsboro, Unclaimed Baggage has spent more than five decades turning misplaced suitcases into one of the state’s most unique destinations.
Founded in 1970 by Doyle Owens, the company purchases unclaimed airline luggage after carriers have exhausted efforts to reunite bags with their owners. The contents are then sold, donated or recycled.
Today, the retailer attracts visitors from around the world and has become one of Alabama’s most recognizable attractions.
In other words, many Alabamians searching for “unclaimed baggage” may not be looking for something they lost at all. They may simply be searching for a famous Scottsboro business.
The DuelBits study also found Alabamians frequently searched for “Find My iPhone” and locksmith services, indicating phones and keys remain common casualties of everyday life. Still, luggage searches dwarfed nearly every other category.
Nationally, phones were the most commonly misplaced item, generating more than 14.6 million annual searches for “Find My iPhone.” Locksmith-related searches ranked second, followed by unclaimed luggage searches.
Wyoming, New Hampshire and North Dakota ranked as the nation’s least forgetful states.
Alabama’s No. 1 ranking perhaps deserves an asterisk. When your state is home to the country’s most famous lost-luggage retailer, searches for unclaimed baggage might say less about forgetfulness and more about our unique shopping experience found only in Alabama.
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