Brandwave

How popular isThe RealReal?

In September 2026, people searched for The RealReal by name about 1 million times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 0.99% of all global second hand marketplace searches, placing The RealReal sixth out of eight marketplaces. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about second hand marketplaces, The RealReal appeared in three of the four answers and was the sixth most recommended of the eight.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

The RealReal is the sixth most searched of 8 competitors and the sixth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. eBayShare of searches 53.7%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  2. VintedShare of searches 35.9%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  3. DepopShare of searches 3.9%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  4. MercariShare of searches 2.2%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  5. The RealRealShare of searches 0.99%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th

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Top second hand marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, The RealReal was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. The RealReal is the sixth most recommended of the eight.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. eBay1st
  2. Poshmark2nd
  3. Mercari3rd
  4. OfferUp4th
  5. Depop5th
  6. The RealReal6th
  7. ThredUp7th
  8. Vinted–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • eBay4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Mercari4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Poshmark4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Depop3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • The RealReal3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • OfferUp3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • ThredUp2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Vinted0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about second hand marketplaces

4 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 second hand marketplaces compete with The RealReal?

The RealReal against second hand marketplaces worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for eBay, Vinted, Depop, Mercari, The RealReal. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MontheBayVintedDepopMercariPoshmarkThe RealRealOfferUpThredUp
Oct 202558.3%31.9%2.4%2.4%1.9%1%1%1%
Nov 202563.1%28.2%2.1%2.1%1.7%0.92%0.93%0.93%
Dec 202566.6%24.4%2.2%2.2%1.8%1%0.98%0.81%
Jan 202666%24.2%2.2%2.2%2.2%1.2%0.97%1.2%
Feb 202661.5%27.5%2.5%2.5%2.5%1.1%1.1%1.3%
Mar 202662.1%27.8%2.5%2.5%2%0.9%1.1%1.1%
Apr 202658.5%32%2.4%2.4%1.9%1%0.87%1.1%
May 202658.4%31.9%2.4%2.4%1.9%1.1%0.86%1.1%
Jun 202658.3%31.9%2.9%2.3%1.9%1%0.86%0.86%
Jul 202661.4%27.5%3.7%2.5%2%1.1%0.91%0.91%
Aug 202657.5%31.4%3.5%2.3%2.3%1.1%0.85%1%
Sep 202653.7%35.9%3.9%2.2%1.8%0.99%0.79%0.79%

  1. 1.eBay

    53.7%

    Held 1st. 55.6M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -3.9 points.

  2. 2.Vinted

    35.9%

    Held 2nd. 37.2M estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share +4.5 points.

  3. 3.Depop

    3.9%

    Held 3rd. 4.1M estimated branded searches, +22.1% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.

  4. 4.Mercari

    2.2%

    Held 4th. 2.2M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  5. 5.Poshmark

    1.8%

    Held 5th. 1.8M estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.

  6. 6.The RealReal

    0.99%

    Held 6th. 1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  7. 7.OfferUp

    0.79%

    Moved from 8th to 7th. 823K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  8. 8.ThredUp

    0.79%

    Moved from 7th to 8th. 823K estimated branded searches, -17.7% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

Compare popularity between The RealReal and its closest rivals

Every comparison with The RealReal

14 comparisons

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

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for The RealReal worldwide held steady, from 988K to 1M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, The RealReal rose from 8th to 6th among second hand marketplaces worldwide.

How did search popularity change for second hand marketplaces worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Vinted gained share of searches among second hand marketplaces worldwide, from 31.4% to 35.9%.

  2. In September 2026, eBay lost share of searches among second hand marketplaces worldwide, from 57.5% to 53.7%.

  3. In September 2026, Poshmark lost share of searches among second hand marketplaces worldwide, from 2.3% to 1.8%.

  4. In September 2026, OfferUp rose from 8th to 7th among second hand marketplaces worldwide.

  5. In September 2026, ThredUp fell from 7th to 8th among second hand marketplaces worldwide.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for Depop worldwide rose 82.6% over 12 measured months, from 2.2M to 4.1M in September 2026.

How are The RealReal’s branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using The RealReal’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.

  • the realreal
  • therealreal

Do you work for The RealReal? 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 The RealReal compete?

The RealReal is ranked in three competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Second hand marketplaces6th of 80.99%Shown above
Resale fashion platforms4th of 62.2%Show ranking
Fashion marketplaces6th of 102.9%Show ranking
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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