How popular isPixabay?
In September 2026, people searched for Pixabay by name about 3.4 million times worldwide, an 18.1% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 30.8% of all global stock image site searches, placing Pixabay first out of seven sites. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stock image sites, Pixabay appeared in three of the five answers and was the fifth most recommended of the seven.
Pixabay is the most searched of 7 competitors and the fifth most recommended in AI answers.
PixabayShare of searches 30.8%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
PexelsShare of searches 20.6%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Adobe StockShare of searches 16.8%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
ShutterstockShare of searches 14.6%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
UnsplashShare of searches 13.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Follow Pixabay and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top stock image sites in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pixabay was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Pixabay is the fifth most recommended of the seven.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Unsplash1st
- Adobe Stock2nd
- Shutterstock3rd
- Pexels4th
- Pixabay5th
Getty Images6th
iStock7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Pexels5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Unsplash5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Adobe Stock4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Shutterstock4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Pixabay3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Getty Images3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- iStock2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about stock image sites
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which stock image site should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best stock image sites?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best stock image site for creative projects?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“stock image sites”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“royalty free images”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Which stock image sites compete with Pixabay?
Share of searches by month for Pixabay, Pexels, Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Unsplash, iStock. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Pixabay | Pexels | Adobe Stock | Shutterstock | Unsplash | iStock | Getty Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 27.3% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 17.4% | 15% | 3.7% | 0.05% |
| Nov 2025 | 29.1% | 19.5% | 15.9% | 15.6% | 15.9% | 3.9% | 0.06% |
| Dec 2025 | 30.2% | 20.2% | 16.5% | 16.2% | 13.5% | 3.3% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 30.2% | 20.2% | 16.5% | 16.2% | 13.5% | 3.3% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 26.8% | 21.9% | 17.9% | 15% | 14.7% | 3.6% | 0.06% |
| Mar 2026 | 28.3% | 18.9% | 18.9% | 15.2% | 15.5% | 3.1% | 0.05% |
| Apr 2026 | 30.9% | 20.7% | 16.9% | 14.1% | 13.8% | 3.4% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 27% | 22.1% | 18.1% | 15.1% | 14.8% | 3% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 28.7% | 19.2% | 19.2% | 16.7% | 12.8% | 3.2% | 0.23% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.4% | 21.6% | 17.7% | 16.1% | 14.5% | 3.6% | 0.12% |
| Aug 2026 | 26.6% | 21.8% | 17.8% | 16.2% | 14.6% | 2.9% | 0.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 30.8% | 20.6% | 16.8% | 14.6% | 13.8% | 3.4% | 0.11% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 30.8% | 3.4M | +22.3% | +4.1 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 20.6% | 2.2M | 0% | -1.2 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 16.8% | 1.8M | 0% | -1 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 14.6% | 1.6M | -4.9% | -1.6 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 13.8% | 1.5M | 0% | -0.8 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 3.4% | 368K | +22.3% | +0.5 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.11% | 12.1K | +22.2% | 0 points |
1.
Pixabay30.8%
Held 1st. 3.4M estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +4.1 points.
2.
Pexels20.6%
Held 2nd. 2.2M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.2 points.
16.8%
Held 3rd. 1.8M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1 points.
14.6%
Held 4th. 1.6M estimated branded searches, -4.9% vs prior month. Share -1.6 points.
5.
Unsplash13.8%
Held 5th. 1.5M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
6.
iStock3.4%
Held 6th. 368K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.
0.11%
Held 7th. 12.1K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Compare popularity between Pixabay and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Pixabay
17 comparisons
- Pexels vs Pixabay
- Adobe Stock vs Pixabay
- Pixabay vs Shutterstock
- Pixabay vs Unsplash
- Epidemic Sound vs Pixabay
- iStock vs Pixabay
- Envato Elements vs Pixabay
- Alamy vs Pixabay
- Pixabay vs Storyblocks
- 123RF vs Pixabay
- Depositphotos vs Pixabay
- Musicbed vs Pixabay
- Bensound vs Pixabay
- Pixabay vs Soundstripe
- Artlist vs Pixabay
- Getty Images vs Pixabay
- Pixabay vs PremiumBeat
How has branded search demand for Pixabay changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Pixabay worldwide fell from 4.1M to 3.4M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pixabay’s share of searches among stock image sites worldwide increased from 27.3% to 30.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pixabay’s share of searches among stock image sites worldwide peaked at 30.9% in April 2026 and was lowest at 26.4% in July 2026.
How did search popularity change for stock image sites worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Pixabay gained share of searches among stock image sites worldwide, from 26.6% to 30.8%.
In September 2026, Shutterstock lost share of searches among stock image sites worldwide, from 16.2% to 14.6%.
In September 2026, Pexels lost share of searches among stock image sites worldwide, from 21.8% to 20.6%.
In September 2026, Adobe Stock lost share of searches among stock image sites worldwide, from 17.8% to 16.8%.
In September 2026, Unsplash lost share of searches among stock image sites worldwide, from 14.6% to 13.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Getty Images worldwide rose 49.4% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 12.1K in September 2026.
How are Pixabay’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pixabay’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.
- pixabay
Do you work for Pixabay? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Pixabay compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock image sites | 1st of 7 | 30.8% | Shown above |
| Stock photo libraries | 1st of 8 | 38% | Show ranking |
| Stock footage libraries | 1st of 7 | 44.1% | Show ranking |
| Royalty-free music libraries | 1st of 7 | 74.7% | Show ranking |
Is Pixabay 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.