--- title: "3M: search popularity worldwide" description: "3M is a sanding block brand. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time." canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/brands/3m" publisher: "Brandwave" --- # 3M: search popularity worldwide 3M is a sanding block brand. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time. ## Key facts - **Brand**: 3M - **Owned by**: 3M - **Market**: Global - **Measured month**: Sep 2026 - **Share of Search among sanding discs brands**: 31.5% ## Where the brand sits | Competitive set | Rank | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Sanding discs brands | 2 | 31.5% | 450K | | Sandpaper brands | 2 | 31.7% | 450K | | Sanding block brands | 2 | 31.9% | 450K | | Welding supplies brands | 1 | 39.4% | 450K | - [Sanding discs brands](/demand/global-en/categories/sanding-discs-brands) - [Sandpaper brands](/demand/global-en/categories/sandpaper-brands) - [Sanding block brands](/demand/global-en/categories/sanding-block-brands) - [Welding supplies brands](/demand/global-en/categories/welding-supplies-brands) ## Top sanding discs brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, 3M was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. 3M is the most recommended of the six. Brands get a higher AI rank if they are mentioned earlier in the answers that list options. | Brand | AI rank | ChatGPT answers that named it | Google AI Overviews that named it | All answers that named it | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 3M | 1st | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | | Mirka | 2nd | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | | Diablo | 3rd | 2 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 5 | | Festool | 4th | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 5 | | Norton Abrasives | 5th | 2 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 5 | | Klingspor | 6th | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 5 | ## Every AI answer about sanding discs brands - Asked ChatGPT "Which sanding disc brand should I buy?": 1. 3M, 2. Diablo, 3. Mirka - Asked ChatGPT "What are the best sanding disc brands?": 1. 3M, 2. Mirka, 3. Festool, 4. Klingspor, 5. Norton Abrasives - Asked ChatGPT "What's the best sanding disc brand for power sanding?": 1. 3M, 2. Mirka, 3. Diablo, 4. Norton Abrasives - Searched Google, AI Overview "sanding discs for sander": named none of the brands we track - Searched Google, AI Overview "sanding discs wood": 1. Mirka, 2. 3M Brands are listed in the order each answer named them. The answers were collected in the United States on October 21, 2026. ## How has branded search demand for 3M changed worldwide over the last 12 months? - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for 3M worldwide held steady at 450K. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among sanding discs brands worldwide decreased from 35.4% to 31.5%. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among sanding discs brands worldwide peaked at 43.6% in August 2026 and was lowest at 31.4% in May 2026. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M fell from 1st to 2nd among sanding discs brands worldwide. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide decreased from 35.6% to 31.7%. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide peaked at 43.9% in August 2026 and was lowest at 31.7% in May 2026. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M fell from 1st to 2nd among sandpaper brands worldwide. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among sanding block brands worldwide decreased from 36.1% to 31.9%. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among sanding block brands worldwide peaked at 44.3% in August 2026 and was lowest at 31.9% in September 2026. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M fell from 1st to 2nd among sanding block brands worldwide. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide increased from 36.5% to 39.4%. - Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide peaked at 44.3% in August 2026 and was lowest at 35.5% in March 2026. ## How did search popularity change for sanding discs brands worldwide in September 2026? - In September 2026, Diablo overtook 3M to become the leader among sanding discs brands worldwide, with 47.1% of the searches. - In September 2026, Festool gained share of searches among sanding discs brands worldwide, from 15.9% to 17.2%. - In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among sanding discs brands worldwide, from 43.6% to 31.5%. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Klingspor worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 22.2K to 18.1K in September 2026. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Mirka worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 40.5K to 33.1K in September 2026. ## How did search popularity change for sandpaper brands worldwide in September 2026? - In September 2026, Diablo overtook 3M to become the leader among sandpaper brands worldwide, with 47.4% of the searches. - In September 2026, Festool gained share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide, from 16.1% to 17.3%. - In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among sandpaper brands worldwide, from 43.9% to 31.7%. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Klingspor worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 22.2K to 18.1K in September 2026. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Mirka worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 40.5K to 33.1K in September 2026. ## How did search popularity change for sanding block brands worldwide in September 2026? - In September 2026, Diablo overtook 3M to become the leader among sanding block brands worldwide, with 47.7% of the searches. - In September 2026, Festool gained share of searches among sanding block brands worldwide, from 16.2% to 17.4%. - In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among sanding block brands worldwide, from 44.3% to 31.9%. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Dura-Block worldwide rose 22.7% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 8.1K in September 2026. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Mirka worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 40.5K to 33.1K in September 2026. ## How did search popularity change for welding supplies brands worldwide in September 2026? - In September 2026, BOC gained share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 29.7% to 32.3%. - In September 2026, Hobart gained share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 16.2% to 17.6%. - In September 2026, Lincoln Electric gained share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 8.6% to 9.4%. - In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 44.3% to 39.4%. - Estimated monthly branded searches for Miller Electric worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 18.1K to 14.8K in September 2026. ## Historical estimated branded-search demand | Month | Competitive set | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Oct 2025 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 35.4% | 1 | | Nov 2025 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 35.5% | 1 | | Dec 2025 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 31.6% | 2 | | Jan 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 34.3% | 2 | | Feb 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 34.3% | 2 | | Mar 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 35.3% | 1 | | Apr 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 34.3% | 2 | | May 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 31.4% | 2 | | Jun 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 37.2% | 1 | | Jul 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 38.7% | 1 | | Aug 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 550K | 43.6% | 1 | | Sep 2026 | Sanding discs brands | 450K | 31.5% | 2 | | Oct 2025 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 35.6% | 1 | | Nov 2025 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 35.7% | 1 | | Dec 2025 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 31.8% | 2 | | Jan 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 34.5% | 2 | | Feb 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 34.5% | 2 | | Mar 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 35.6% | 1 | | Apr 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 34.5% | 2 | | May 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 31.7% | 2 | | Jun 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 37.6% | 1 | | Jul 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 39.1% | 1 | | Aug 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 550K | 43.9% | 1 | | Sep 2026 | Sandpaper brands | 450K | 31.7% | 2 | | Oct 2025 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 36.1% | 1 | | Nov 2025 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 36.1% | 1 | | Dec 2025 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 32% | 2 | | Jan 2026 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 34.8% | 2 | | Feb 2026 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 34.8% | 2 | | Mar 2026 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 36.1% | 1 | | Apr 2026 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 34.8% | 2 | | May 2026 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 31.9% | 2 | | Jun 2026 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 38% | 1 | | Jul 2026 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 39.4% | 1 | | Aug 2026 | Sanding block brands | 550K | 44.3% | 1 | | Sep 2026 | Sanding block brands | 450K | 31.9% | 2 | | Oct 2025 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 36.5% | 1 | | Nov 2025 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 38% | 1 | | Dec 2025 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 38.5% | 1 | | Jan 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 36.3% | 1 | | Feb 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 41.9% | 1 | | Mar 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 35.5% | 1 | | Apr 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 36.8% | 1 | | May 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 36.8% | 1 | | Jun 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 40.1% | 1 | | Jul 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 42.5% | 1 | | Aug 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 550K | 44.3% | 1 | | Sep 2026 | Welding supplies brands | 450K | 39.4% | 1 | ## How are 3M’s branded searches counted? Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 3M’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading. - “3m” ## Which sanding discs brands compete with 3M? - [Diablo](/demand/global-en/brands/diablo): Head-to-head: /demand/global-en/compare/3m-vs-diablo - [Festool](/demand/global-en/brands/festool): Head-to-head: /demand/global-en/compare/3m-vs-festool - [Mirka](/demand/global-en/brands/mirka): Head-to-head: /demand/global-en/compare/3m-vs-mirka - [Klingspor](/demand/global-en/brands/klingspor): Head-to-head: /demand/global-en/compare/3m-vs-klingspor - [Norton Abrasives](/demand/global-en/brands/norton-abrasives): Head-to-head: /demand/global-en/compare/3m-vs-norton-abrasives ## Who owns 3M? 3M is owned by 3M. Brandwave also tracks 3M Peltor, 3M Speedglas, Scotch and Scotch-Brite, owned by the same company, worldwide. - [3M](/demand/global-en/companies/3m): Owns 5 tracked brands. ## Methodology - [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused. ## Frequently asked questions ### Who owns 3M? 3M is owned by 3M. Brandwave also tracks 3M Peltor, 3M Speedglas, Scotch and Scotch-Brite, owned by the same company, worldwide. ## Cite this page Brandwave. "3M: search popularity worldwide". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/brands/3m This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/brands/3m. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.