Optus vs Telstra:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Telstra had more branded searches than Optus among NBN providers in Australia. Telstra had about 14,800 branded searches, while Optus had 12,100. Telstra made up 2.4% of all NBN provider searches we track, and Optus accounted for 1.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about NBN providers, Telstra appeared in three of the five answers and Optus in one. Telstra was mentioned before Optus in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Telstra, about 22% more searches than Optus
Who does AI mention more?
Telstra, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Optus in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Telstra, named ahead of Optus in 3 of 3 answers
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Top NBN providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Telstra was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Optus was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Telstra was listed before Optus 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.
Aussie Broadband4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Superloop4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Dodo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Telstra3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Exetel2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Leaptel2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
SpinTel2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
TPG1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Optus1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Belong1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about NBN providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which NBN provider should I switch to in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best NBN providers in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best NBN provider in Australia for fast speeds and good support?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“nbn plans”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best nbn provider”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is Optus or Telstra more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Optus and Telstra by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 NBN providers we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Telstra, Optus. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Aussie Broadband | TPG | iiNet | Superloop | Dodo | Exetel | Leaptel | SpinTel | Telstra | Optus | Tangerine | Belong |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 27.7% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 12.5% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.74% | 0.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.8% | 18.7% | 15.2% | 15.2% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.75% | 0.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 26.5% | 17.6% | 17.6% | 14.5% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 0.71% | 0.38% |
| Jan 2026 | 29.5% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 13.3% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.79% | 0.43% |
| Feb 2026 | 26.5% | 17.7% | 17.7% | 14.6% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 0.71% | 0.47% |
| Mar 2026 | 29.6% | 16.2% | 16.2% | 16.2% | 4% | 4% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.43% |
| Apr 2026 | 26.2% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 14.4% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1% | 0.46% |
| May 2026 | 28.5% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.51% |
| Jun 2026 | 27.2% | 18.3% | 14.9% | 14.9% | 4.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 3.7% | 2% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.39% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.5% | 16.1% | 13.3% | 16.1% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 5.9% | 4% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 0.97% | 0.35% |
| Aug 2026 | 24.9% | 24.9% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 5% | 4.1% | 5% | 4.1% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.81% | 0.36% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.2% | 21.5% | 14.4% | 14.4% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 0.57% | 0.46% |
How has the Optus and Telstra comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Optus took it in July 2026, Telstra took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Optus’ share of searches among NBN providers in Australia moved from 2% to 1.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.8K to 12.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Telstra’s share of searches among NBN providers in Australia moved from 2.5% to 2.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 14.8K.
How did search popularity change for Australia NBN providers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Telstra overtook Optus to rank 9th among NBN providers in Australia, with 2.4% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Optus in Australia fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 14.8K to 12.1K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Optus’ and Telstra’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.
Other head-to-heads among NBN providers
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