Brandwave

How popular isWhatsApp?

In September 2026, people searched for WhatsApp by name about 277 million times worldwide, a 22.6% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 8.6% of all global social media platform searches, placing WhatsApp fourth out of ten platforms. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social media platforms, WhatsApp appeared in three of the five answers and was the fifth most recommended of the ten.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

WhatsApp is the fourth most searched of 10 competitors and the fifth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. YouTubeShare of searches 42.7%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  2. FacebookShare of searches 19.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  3. InstagramShare of searches 15.7%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  4. WhatsAppShare of searches 8.6%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  5. PinterestShare of searches 4.7%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 10th

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Top social media platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, WhatsApp was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. WhatsApp is the fifth most recommended of the ten.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Instagram1st
  2. Facebook2nd
  3. TikTok3rd
  4. YouTube4th
  5. WhatsApp5th
  6. LinkedIn6th
  7. Snapchat7th
  8. Reddit8th
  9. Threads9th
  10. Pinterest10th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Facebook5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Instagram5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • LinkedIn5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • YouTube4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • TikTok4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Reddit4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Threads4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • WhatsApp3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Snapchat3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Pinterest1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about social media platforms

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Which social media platforms compete with WhatsApp?

WhatsApp against social media platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthYouTubeFacebookInstagramWhatsAppPinterestTikTokLinkedInRedditSnapchatThreads
Oct 202548.7%17.9%14.7%6.6%4.4%3.6%2%1.3%0.72%0.12%
Nov 202544.1%19.7%16.2%7.2%4.8%4%1.8%1.5%0.65%0.13%
Dec 202549.6%18.2%14.9%5.5%4.5%3.7%1.6%1.3%0.6%0.12%
Jan 202644.3%19.9%16.3%5.9%4.9%4%2.2%1.8%0.66%0.16%
Feb 202644.5%19.9%16.3%6%4.9%4%1.8%1.8%0.66%0.13%
Mar 202648.6%17.9%14.6%6.5%4.4%3.6%2%1.6%0.59%0.14%
Apr 202643.6%19.5%16%7.1%4.8%4.8%1.8%1.8%0.64%0.16%
May 202643.6%19.5%16%7.1%4.8%4.8%1.8%1.8%0.64%0.16%
Jun 202643.5%19.5%16%7.1%4.8%4.8%1.8%1.8%0.64%0.19%
Jul 202643.5%19.5%16%7.1%4.8%4.8%1.8%1.8%0.64%0.19%
Aug 202643.4%19.4%15.9%7.1%4.7%4.7%1.7%2.1%0.64%0.19%
Sep 202642.7%19.1%15.7%8.6%4.7%4.7%2.1%1.7%0.63%0.19%

  1. 1.YouTube

    42.7%

    Held 1st. 1380M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.

  2. 2.Facebook

    19.1%

    Held 2nd. 618M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.

  3. 3.Instagram

    15.7%

    Held 3rd. 506M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.

  4. 4.WhatsApp

    8.6%

    Held 4th. 277M estimated branded searches, +22.6% vs prior month. Share +1.5 points.

  5. 5.Pinterest

    4.7%

    Held 5th. 151M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  6. 6.TikTok

    4.7%

    Held 6th. 151M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  7. 7.LinkedIn

    2.1%

    Moved from 8th to 7th. 68M estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.

  8. 8.Reddit

    1.7%

    Moved from 7th to 8th. 55.6M estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.

  9. 9.Snapchat

    0.63%

    Held 9th. 20.4M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  10. 10.Threads

    0.19%

    Held 10th. 6.1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between WhatsApp and its closest rivals

Every comparison with WhatsApp

15 comparisons

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

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for WhatsApp worldwide rose from 226M to 277M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WhatsApp’s share of searches among social media platforms worldwide increased from 6.6% to 8.6%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WhatsApp’s share of searches among social media platforms worldwide peaked at 8.6% in September 2026 and was lowest at 5.5% in December 2025.

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

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, WhatsApp gained share of searches among social media platforms worldwide, from 7.1% to 8.6%.

  2. In September 2026, YouTube lost share of searches among social media platforms worldwide, from 43.4% to 42.7%.

  3. In September 2026, LinkedIn rose from 8th to 7th among social media platforms worldwide.

  4. In September 2026, Reddit fell from 7th to 8th among social media platforms worldwide.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Threads worldwide rose 49.6% over 12 measured months, from 4.1M to 6.1M in September 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for TikTok worldwide rose 21.8% over 12 measured months, from 124M to 151M in September 2026.

How are WhatsApp’s branded searches counted?

1 search term

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

  • whatsapp

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Who owns WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is owned by Meta. Brandwave also tracks Meta AI, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Meta Ads, Meta Quest and Threads, owned by the same company, worldwide.

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

Where does WhatsApp compete?

WhatsApp is ranked in two competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Social media platforms4th of 108.6%Shown above
Messaging apps1st of 778.1%Show ranking
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Is WhatsApp your brand?

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