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 39.4% of all global welding supplies brand searches, placing 3M first out of five brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about welding supplies brands, 3M appeared in two of the five answers and was the third most recommended of the five.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

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

  1. 3MShare of searches 39.4%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  2. BOCShare of searches 32.3%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  3. HobartShare of searches 17.6%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  4. Lincoln ElectricShare of searches 9.4%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  5. Miller ElectricShare of searches 1.3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd

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Top welding supplies brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

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

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Lincoln Electric1st
  2. Miller Electric2nd
  3. 3M3rd
  4. Hobart4th
  5. BOC–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Lincoln Electric5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Miller Electric4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • 3M2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Hobart2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • BOC0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about welding supplies brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

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

Which welding supplies brands compete with 3M?

3M against welding supplies brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for 3M, BOC, Hobart, Lincoln Electric. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
Month3MBOCHobartLincoln ElectricMiller Electric
Oct 202536.5%36.5%16.3%9.3%1.5%
Nov 202538%31.1%20.8%9.1%1%
Dec 202538.5%31.5%21%8%1%
Jan 202636.3%29.7%24.3%8.6%1.2%
Feb 202641.9%28%18.7%10%1.4%
Mar 202635.5%35.5%19.4%8.4%1.2%
Apr 202636.8%36.8%16.4%8.8%1.2%
May 202636.8%36.8%16.4%8.8%1.2%
Jun 202640.1%32.8%17.9%7.8%1.3%
Jul 202642.5%28.5%19%8.3%1.7%
Aug 202644.3%29.7%16.2%8.6%1.2%
Sep 202639.4%32.3%17.6%9.4%1.3%

  1. 1.3M

    39.4%

    Held 1st. 450K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -4.9 points.

  2. 2.BOC

    32.3%

    Held 2nd. 368K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +2.6 points.

  3. 3.Hobart

    17.6%

    Held 3rd. 201K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.4 points.

  4. 4.Lincoln Electric

    9.4%

    Held 4th. 107K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.8 points.

  5. 5.Miller Electric

    1.3%

    Held 5th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 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?

3 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 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 welding supplies brands worldwide in September 2026?

5 changes

  1. In September 2026, BOC gained share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 29.7% to 32.3%.

  2. In September 2026, Hobart gained share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 16.2% to 17.6%.

  3. In September 2026, Lincoln Electric gained share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 8.6% to 9.4%.

  4. In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 44.3% to 39.4%.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Miller Electric worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 18.1K to 14.8K 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%Show ranking
Welding supplies brands1st of 539.4%Shown above
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is 3M your brand?

Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.

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