MarketMuse vs Surfer SEO:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Surfer SEO had more branded searches than MarketMuse among AI SEO tools worldwide. Surfer SEO had about 22,200 branded searches, while MarketMuse had 1,700. Surfer SEO made up 69.7% of all AI SEO tool searches we track, and MarketMuse accounted for 5.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI SEO tools, Surfer SEO appeared in all five answers and MarketMuse in one. Surfer SEO was mentioned before MarketMuse in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Surfer SEO, about 13 searches for every 1 for MarketMuse
Who does AI mention more?
Surfer SEO, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Surfer SEO, named ahead of MarketMuse in every answer
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Top AI SEO tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Surfer SEO appeared in all five answers. MarketMuse was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Surfer SEO was listed before MarketMuse in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Surfer SEO1st
MarketMuse2nd
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Surfer SEO5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- MarketMuse1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about AI SEO tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which AI SEO tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best AI SEO tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best AI SEO tool for content optimisation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai seo tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“content optimisation tool”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is MarketMuse or Surfer SEO more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MarketMuse and Surfer SEO by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven AI SEO tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Surfer SEO, MarketMuse. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Surfer SEO | MarketMuse |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 70.3% | 6.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 73.4% | 7% |
| Jan 2026 | 72.9% | 8.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 72% | 5.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 74.8% | 5.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 73.2% | 5.6% |
| May 2026 | 68.8% | 5.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 67.6% | 5% |
| Jul 2026 | 69% | 4.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 67.4% | 5.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 69.7% | 5.3% |
| Oct 2026 | — | — |
How has branded search for MarketMuse and Surfer SEO changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Surfer SEO was ahead of MarketMuse in every measured month of the 11 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending September 2026, MarketMuse’s share of searches among AI SEO tools worldwide moved from 6.7% to 5.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.9K to 1.7K.
- Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Surfer SEO’s share of searches among AI SEO tools worldwide moved from 70.3% to 69.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 22.2K.
How did search popularity change for AI SEO tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Surfer SEO gained share of searches among AI SEO tools worldwide, from 67.4% to 69.7%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for MarketMuse worldwide fell 56.1% over 11 measured months, from 3.9K to 1.7K in September 2026.
How are MarketMuse’s and Surfer SEO’s branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MarketMuse’s and Surfer SEO’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.
MarketMuse
3 branded search terms
- marketmuse
- marketmuse ai
- marketmuse seo
Surfer SEO
1 branded search term
- surfer seo
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