Brandwave

How popular is3M?

In September 2026, people searched for 3M by name about 450,000 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 31.9% of all global sanding block brand searches, placing 3M second out of five brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sanding block brands, 3M appeared in three of the five answers and was the most recommended of the five.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

3M is the second most searched of 5 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. DiabloShare of searches 47.7%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  2. 3MShare of searches 31.9%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. FestoolShare of searches 17.4%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  4. MirkaShare of searches 2.3%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  5. Dura-BlockShare of searches 0.57%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd

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Top sanding block brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, 3M was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. 3M is the most recommended of the five.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. 3M1st
  2. Dura-Block2nd
  3. Mirka3rd
  4. Diablo4th
  5. Festool5th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • 3M3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Dura-Block3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Diablo2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Mirka2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Festool1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about sanding block brands

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which sanding block brand should I buy?”

    1. 13M
    2. 2Dura-Block

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best sanding block brands?”

    1. 13M
    2. 2Mirka
    3. 3Dura-Block
    4. 4Festool

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best sanding block brand for hand sanding?”

    1. 13M
    2. 2Diablo
    3. 3Dura-Block
    4. 4Mirka

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “sanding block for wood”

    1. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “hand sanding block”

      1. 1Diablo

    Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

    Which sanding block brands compete with 3M?

    3M against sanding block brands worldwide, by month

    Share of searches by month for Diablo, 3M, Festool, Mirka. The figures are in the table below the chart.

    View monthly share of searches table
    MonthDiablo3MFestoolMirkaDura-Block
    Oct 202536.1%36.1%24.1%3.2%0.53%
    Nov 202536.1%36.1%24.1%3.2%0.43%
    Dec 202547.8%32%17.5%2.4%0.38%
    Jan 202642.5%34.8%19%3.1%0.51%
    Feb 202642.6%34.8%19%3.1%0.42%
    Mar 202636.1%36.1%24.1%3.2%0.53%
    Apr 202642.5%34.8%19%3.1%0.51%
    May 202647.8%31.9%17.5%2.3%0.47%
    Jun 202638%38%20.7%2.8%0.56%
    Jul 202639.4%39.4%17.6%2.9%0.58%
    Aug 202636.3%44.3%16.2%2.7%0.53%
    Sep 202647.7%31.9%17.4%2.3%0.57%

    1. 1.Diablo

      47.7%

      Moved from 2nd to 1st. 673K estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share +11.5 points.

    2. 2.3M

      31.9%

      Moved from 1st to 2nd. 450K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -12.4 points.

    3. 3.Festool

      17.4%

      Held 3rd. 246K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +1.2 points.

    4. 4.Mirka

      2.3%

      Held 4th. 33.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.

    5. 5.Dura-Block

      0.57%

      Held 5th. 8.1K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

    Compare popularity between 3M and its closest rivals

    Every comparison with 3M

    10 comparisons

    How has branded search demand for 3M changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

    4 findings
    • 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 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.

    How did search popularity change for sanding block brands worldwide in September 2026?

    5 changes

    1. In September 2026, Diablo overtook 3M to become the leader among sanding block brands worldwide, with 47.7% of the searches.

    2. In September 2026, Festool gained share of searches among sanding block brands worldwide, from 16.2% to 17.4%.

    3. In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among sanding block brands worldwide, from 44.3% to 31.9%.

    4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Dura-Block worldwide rose 22.7% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 8.1K in September 2026.

    5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Mirka worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 40.5K to 33.1K in September 2026.

    How are 3M’s branded searches counted?

    1 search term

    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

    How the Brand Demand Index is measured

    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.

    Do you work for 3M? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

    Where does 3M compete?

    3M is ranked in four competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
    Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
    Sanding discs brands2nd of 631.5%Show ranking
    Sandpaper brands2nd of 531.7%Show ranking
    Sanding block brands2nd of 531.9%Shown above
    Welding supplies brands1st of 539.4%Show ranking
    Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

    Is 3M your brand?

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