Elicit vs NotebookLM:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, NotebookLM had more branded searches than Elicit among AI research tools worldwide. NotebookLM had about 24.5 million branded searches, while Elicit had 450,000. NotebookLM made up 61.2% of all AI research tool searches we track, and Elicit accounted for 1.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI research tools, Elicit appeared in all five answers and NotebookLM in four. Elicit was mentioned before NotebookLM in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
NotebookLM, about 54 searches for every 1 for Elicit
Who does AI mention more?
Elicit, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Elicit, named ahead of NotebookLM in every answer
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Top AI research tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Elicit appeared in all five answers. NotebookLM was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Elicit was listed before NotebookLM in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Elicit1st
Consensus2nd
Perplexity3rd
NotebookLM4th
Scite5th
ResearchRabbit6th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Consensus5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Elicit5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
NotebookLM4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Perplexity4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Scite3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
ResearchRabbit2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about AI research tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which AI research tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best AI research tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best AI research tool for research with citations?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai research tool”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai paper search”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Elicit or NotebookLM more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Elicit and NotebookLM by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six AI research tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for NotebookLM, Elicit. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | NotebookLM | Perplexity | Consensus | Elicit | Scite | ResearchRabbit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 23.1% | 73.4% | 2.2% | 1.1% | 0.12% | 0.06% |
| Nov 2025 | 30.7% | 65.4% | 2.6% | 1% | 0.13% | 0.07% |
| Dec 2025 | 42.3% | 54% | 2.5% | 0.95% | 0.13% | 0.07% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.9% | 46% | 2.8% | 1.1% | 0.12% | 0.07% |
| Feb 2026 | 50.2% | 45.9% | 2.6% | 1.1% | 0.12% | 0.07% |
| Mar 2026 | 53.7% | 42.1% | 2.8% | 1.2% | 0.11% | 0.07% |
| Apr 2026 | 58.6% | 37.3% | 2.8% | 1.1% | 0.1% | 0.06% |
| May 2026 | 63% | 32.9% | 3.1% | 0.95% | 0.09% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 62.8% | 32.8% | 3.3% | 0.94% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| Jul 2026 | 60.6% | 34.8% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| Aug 2026 | 61.1% | 33.9% | 3.6% | 1.1% | 0.1% | 0.07% |
| Sep 2026 | 61.2% | 33.6% | 3.9% | 1.1% | 0.12% | 0.07% |
How has the Elicit and NotebookLM comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- NotebookLM was ahead of Elicit in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Elicit’s share of searches among AI research tools worldwide held steady at 1.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 550K to 450K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NotebookLM’s share of searches among AI research tools worldwide moved from 23.1% to 61.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.9M to 24.5M.
How did search popularity change for AI research tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

Estimated monthly branded searches for NotebookLM worldwide rose 106.1% over 12 measured months, from 11.9M to 24.5M in September 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Elicit worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 550K to 450K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Elicit’s and NotebookLM’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Elicit
1 branded search term
- elicit
NotebookLM
2 branded search terms
- notebook lm
- notebooklm
Other head-to-heads among AI research tools

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