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 31.5% of all global sanding discs brand searches, placing 3M second out of six brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sanding discs brands, 3M appeared in four of the five answers and was the most recommended of the six.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

3M is the second most searched of 6 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. DiabloShare of searches 47.1%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  2. 3MShare of searches 31.5%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. FestoolShare of searches 17.2%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  4. MirkaShare of searches 2.3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. KlingsporShare of searches 1.3%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th

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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.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. 3M1st
  2. Mirka2nd
  3. Diablo3rd
  4. Festool4th
  5. Norton Abrasives5th
  6. Klingspor6th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • 3M4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Mirka4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Diablo2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Norton Abrasives2 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
  • Klingspor1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about sanding discs brands

5 answers

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

Which sanding discs brands compete with 3M?

3M against sanding discs 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
MonthDiablo3MFestoolMirkaKlingsporNorton Abrasives
Oct 202535.4%35.4%23.7%3.2%1.7%0.71%
Nov 202535.5%35.5%23.7%3.2%1.4%0.62%
Dec 202547.2%31.6%17.3%2.3%1%0.56%
Jan 202641.9%34.3%18.7%3.1%1.4%0.7%
Feb 202641.9%34.3%18.7%3.1%1.4%0.67%
Mar 202635.3%35.3%23.6%3.2%1.7%0.78%
Apr 202641.9%34.3%18.7%3.1%1.4%0.69%
May 202647%31.4%17.2%2.3%1.3%0.82%
Jun 202637.2%37.2%20.4%2.7%1.5%0.9%
Jul 202638.7%38.7%17.3%2.8%1.6%0.88%
Aug 202635.6%43.6%15.9%2.6%1.4%0.8%
Sep 202647.1%31.5%17.2%2.3%1.3%0.63%

  1. 1.Diablo

    47.1%

    Moved from 2nd to 1st. 673K estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share +11.4 points.

  2. 2.3M

    31.5%

    Moved from 1st to 2nd. 450K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -12.1 points.

  3. 3.Festool

    17.2%

    Held 3rd. 246K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +1.3 points.

  4. 4.Mirka

    2.3%

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

  5. 5.Klingspor

    1.3%

    Held 5th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  6. 6.Norton Abrasives

    0.63%

    Held 6th. 9K estimated branded searches, -10.9% vs prior month. Share -0.2 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 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.

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

5 changes

  1. In September 2026, Diablo overtook 3M to become the leader among sanding discs brands worldwide, with 47.1% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Festool gained share of searches among sanding discs brands worldwide, from 15.9% to 17.2%.

  3. In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among sanding discs brands worldwide, from 43.6% to 31.5%.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Klingspor worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 22.2K to 18.1K 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%Shown above
Sandpaper brands2nd of 531.7%Show ranking
Sanding block brands2nd of 531.9%Show ranking
Welding supplies brands1st of 539.4%Show ranking
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Is 3M your brand?

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