Brandwave

How popular isCircle?

In September 2026, people searched for Circle by name about 13,600 times worldwide, an 18.1% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 0.06% of all global membership platform searches, placing Circle eighth out of ten platforms. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about membership platforms, Circle appeared in three of the five answers and was the most recommended of the ten.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Circle is the eighth most searched of 10 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. PatreonShare of searches 57.3%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  2. SubstackShare of searches 39.3%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  3. KajabiShare of searches 1.5%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
  4. PodiaShare of searches 0.85%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
  5. CircleShare of searches 0.06%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st

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Top membership platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

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

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Circle1st
  2. Mighty Networks2nd
  3. Skool3rd
  4. Patreon4th
  5. MemberPress5th
  6. Kajabi6th
  7. Podia7th
  8. Wild Apricot8th
  9. Substack–
  10. Memberful–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Patreon3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Kajabi3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Skool3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Mighty Networks3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Circle3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • MemberPress3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Podia2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Wild Apricot1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Substack0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Memberful0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about membership platforms

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 19, 2026.

Which membership platforms compete with Circle?

Circle against membership platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Patreon, Substack, Circle. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPatreonSubstackKajabiPodiaSkoolMighty NetworksWild ApricotCircleMemberPressMemberful
Oct 202568.6%25.8%2.8%1.2%0.37%0.68%0.25%0.14%0.2%0.05%
Nov 202568.6%25.8%2.8%1.2%0.45%0.55%0.25%0.11%0.2%0.04%
Dec 202565.1%29.9%2.6%0.96%0.35%0.53%0.19%0.09%0.16%0.05%
Jan 202665%30%2.6%0.96%0.35%0.53%0.24%0.09%0.16%0.04%
Feb 202664.5%29.8%3.2%0.95%0.43%0.52%0.23%0.1%0.16%0.05%
Mar 202665.6%30.2%2.2%0.79%0.36%0.43%0.19%0.09%0.13%0.04%
Apr 202661.1%34.2%2.5%0.9%0.41%0.49%0.18%0.1%0.12%0.03%
May 202665.8%30.1%2.2%0.8%0.36%0.36%0.16%0.07%0.09%0.03%
Jun 202665.7%30.6%1.8%0.8%0.36%0.36%0.16%0.07%0.09%0.03%
Jul 202661.3%34.6%2%0.91%0.41%0.41%0.18%0.07%0.08%0.03%
Aug 202661.7%35%1.7%0.75%0.34%0.27%0.15%0.07%0.07%0.02%
Sep 202657.3%39.3%1.5%0.85%0.38%0.31%0.17%0.06%0.06%0.03%

  1. 1.Patreon

    57.3%

    Held 1st. 3.4M estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -4.4 points.

  2. 2.Substack

    39.3%

    Held 2nd. 2.3M estimated branded searches, -0.77% vs prior month. Share +4.4 points.

  3. 3.Kajabi

    1.5%

    Held 3rd. 90.5K estimated branded searches, -17.7% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  4. 4.Podia

    0.85%

    Held 4th. 49.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  5. 5.Skool

    0.38%

    Held 5th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  6. 6.Mighty Networks

    0.31%

    Held 6th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  7. 7.Wild Apricot

    0.17%

    Held 7th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  8. 8.Circle

    0.06%

    Held 8th. 3.6K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  9. 9.MemberPress

    0.06%

    Held 9th. 3.6K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  10. 10.Memberful

    0.03%

    Held 10th. 1.6K estimated branded searches, +23.1% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Circle and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Circle

21 comparisons

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

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Circle worldwide fell from 16.6K to 13.6K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Circle rose from 9th to 8th among membership platforms worldwide.

How did search popularity change for membership platforms worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Substack gained share of searches among membership platforms worldwide, from 35% to 39.3%.

  2. In September 2026, Patreon lost share of searches among membership platforms worldwide, from 61.7% to 57.3%.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Skool worldwide rose 22.7% over 12 measured months, from 18.1K to 22.2K in September 2026.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for MemberPress worldwide fell 63.6% over 12 measured months, from 9.9K to 3.6K in September 2026.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Circle worldwide fell 45.5% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 3.6K in September 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for Mighty Networks worldwide fell 45.3% over 12 measured months, from 33.1K to 18.1K in September 2026.

How are Circle’s branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Circle’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • circle community
  • circle community platform
  • circle.so

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

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Circle compete?

Circle 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
Online community platforms5th of 100.04%Show ranking
Creator membership platforms8th of 90.06%Show ranking
Membership platforms8th of 100.06%Shown above
Customer community platforms2nd of 726%Show ranking
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is Circle your brand?

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