- Primary Subject: Call of Duty
- Key Update: Surfshark analysis ranks Call of Duty highest in cheat-related search traffic
- Status: Confirmed study data
- Last Verified: March 3, 2026
- Quick Answer: A 2026 Surfshark study found Call of Duty generates the highest cheat-related search interest per 1,000 players, though the data measures search behavior—not confirmed cheating.
Findings from a 2026 analysis have revived concerns about cheating in online multiplayer titles, revealing that Call of Duty attracts the greatest level of cheat-related search traffic among leading competitive games.
While cheating has been part of online gaming culture for decades, the latest findings suggest that no franchise currently attracts more curiosity around exploits, aimbots, and wallhacks than Activision’s long-running shooter.
What Did the Study Actually Measure?
The study, conducted by cybersecurity firm Surfshark, did not measure confirmed cheaters or ban rates.
Instead, it analyzed global search data tied to high-intent cheating keywords such as “aimbot,” “wallhack,” “cheat,” and “hack” across 15 popular competitive multiplayer PC titles.
Using search analytics gathered in February 2026 and comparing that data against estimated average monthly player counts, researchers created a “cheat interest ratio” scaled per 1,000 players.
By that metric, Call of Duty ranked first with 66 cheat-related searches per 1,000 players — the highest in the dataset.
That figure placed Call of Duty ahead of Rocket League, which recorded 59 searches per 1,000 players, and Rainbow Six Siege at 53 per 1,000.
Other titles occupying the middle of the table included Marvel Rivals (45), PUBG (39), Apex Legends (25), Fortnite (20), and ARC Raiders (10).
Interestingly, some of the most established esports-heavy franchises landed near the bottom. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) titles showed dramatically lower search pressure, averaging just 0.3 searches per 1,000 players.
League of Legends, for example, was cited as having one of the lowest cheat-search ratios in the study, suggesting stronger community integrity or game design structures that make traditional hacking more difficult.
How Are Anti-Cheat Systems Affecting Cheating Interest?
Surfshark’s findings also highlight how cheating is evolving alongside anti-cheat technology.
Developers increasingly deploy advanced systems such as behavior analytics, hardware ID bans, and kernel-level anti-cheat software that operates deep within a computer’s operating system.
According to the study, games using kernel-level anti-cheat measures averaged lower cheat-search interest (around 20 searches per 1,000 players) compared to titles relying on user-level anti-cheat systems (which averaged 35 per 1,000).
Kernel-level tools have broader system visibility, allowing them to detect hidden processes and low-level manipulation attempts that standard application-based systems may miss.
The tougher anti-cheat systems and the chance of permanent hardware bans may stop some players from even attempting to cheat.
Are Cheaters Adapting to Stronger Defenses?
However, the research suggests that stronger defenses have not eliminated the demand for unfair advantages — they have simply shifted it.
In games where traditional hacks are harder to implement, search interest appears to migrate toward AI-driven tools and automation scripts.
For example, Rocket League’s high ranking is notable because its server-authoritative physics make classic manipulation cheats nearly impossible.
Instead, interest appears focused on AI-assisted systems that analyze game visuals and simulate precise human input. Some of these tools even run on separate hardware devices to avoid detection, marking a new phase in the ongoing anti-cheat battle.
In addition to competitive fairness, Surfshark highlights an often-ignored cybersecurity risk. Players seeking cheats frequently encounter malicious downloads disguised as working tools.
Installing these programs may require disabling antivirus protections or granting elevated permissions, creating opportunities for malware such as information stealers or remote access trojans.
In that context, a high volume of cheat-related searches reflects more than frustration with gameplay; it may point to deeper weaknesses within gaming communities.
It is important to clarify that the study measures search behavior, not confirmed cheating activity.
A high number of searches does not necessarily indicate rule-breaking, as it can also reflect curiosity, player frustration, content research, or broader community discussion, which became a major talking point online after the findings emerged.
Some players argued that Call of Duty’s massive player base and cultural visibility naturally amplify search activity.
Others maintained that the results merely confirm what many competitive players have experienced in high-level lobbies for years.
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