LJ Hooker vs McGrath:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, McGrath had more branded searches than LJ Hooker among real estate agencies in Australia. McGrath had about 18,100 branded searches, while LJ Hooker had 14,800. McGrath made up 11.6% of all real estate agency searches we track, and LJ Hooker accounted for 9.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about real estate agencies, LJ Hooker and McGrath each appeared in two of the four answers. LJ Hooker was mentioned before McGrath in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
McGrath, about 22% more searches than LJ Hooker
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 4 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
LJ Hooker, named ahead of McGrath in 2 of 2 answers
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Top real estate agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, LJ Hooker and McGrath were each mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. LJ Hooker was listed before McGrath in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Ray White3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Belle Property3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- McGrath2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- LJ Hooker2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Harcourts1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
First National Real Estate1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Century 210 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about real estate agencies
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which real estate agency should I use to sell my house in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best real estate agencies in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best real estate agency in Australia for property management?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“real estate agent”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“real estate agents near me”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is LJ Hooker or McGrath more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for LJ Hooker and McGrath by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven real estate agencies we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for McGrath, LJ Hooker. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Ray White | Harcourts | Belle Property | McGrath | LJ Hooker | First National Real Estate | Century 21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 35.6% | 13% | 13% | 10.7% | 15.9% | 5.8% | 5.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 14.1% | 6.3% | 6.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.4% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 14.1% | 6.3% | 6.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 29.3% | 29.3% | 8.8% | 8.8% | 13.1% | 5.9% | 4.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.6% | 13.8% | 11.3% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 6.1% | 6.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.6% | 14.1% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 6.3% | 6.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 41.9% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 6.9% | 5.6% |
| May 2026 | 41.9% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 6.9% | 5.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.1% | 14% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 7.6% | 6.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 38.9% | 14.3% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 6.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.9% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 7% | 5.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 38.9% | 14.3% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 6.4% |
How has the LJ Hooker and McGrath comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: McGrath took it in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, LJ Hooker’s share of searches among real estate agencies in Australia moved from 15.9% to 9.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 14.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McGrath’s share of searches among real estate agencies in Australia moved from 10.7% to 11.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 22.2K to 18.1K.
How did search popularity change for Australia real estate agencies in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, McGrath overtook LJ Hooker to rank 4th among real estate agencies in Australia, with 11.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, LJ Hooker lost share of searches among real estate agencies in Australia, from 10.5% to 9.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using LJ Hooker’s and McGrath’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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