Brandwave

Madewell vs Wrangler:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Madewell had more branded searches than Wrangler among denim brands worldwide. Madewell had about 823,000 branded searches, while Wrangler had 201,000. Madewell made up 34.6% of all denim brand searches we track, and Wrangler accounted for 8.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about denim brands, Madewell appeared in three of the five answers and Wrangler in two. Madewell was mentioned before Wrangler in three out of four answers.

Among denim brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Madewell, about 4 searches for every 1 for Wrangler

Madewell 823K searchesWrangler 201K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Madewell, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Wrangler in 2

Madewell in 3 of 5Wrangler in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Madewell, named ahead of Wrangler in 3 of 4 answers

Madewell first in 3Wrangler first in 1

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Top denim brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Madewell was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Wrangler was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Madewell was listed before Wrangler in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Levi's1st
  2. Madewell2nd
  3. AGOLDE3rd
  4. Wrangler4th
  5. Nudie Jeans5th
  6. Ksubi–
  7. Lee–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Levi's5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Madewell3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Wrangler2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • AGOLDE2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Nudie Jeans1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Ksubi0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Lee0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about denim brands

5 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 20, 2026.

Is Madewell or Wrangler more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Madewell and Wrangler by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven denim brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Madewell and Wrangler among denim brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Madewell, Wrangler. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLevi'sMadewellNudie JeansWranglerKsubiLeeAGOLDE
Oct 202538.8%31.9%7.8%9.5%5.2%5.2%1.6%
Nov 202537.3%37.3%6.2%7.5%5.1%5.1%1.5%
Dec 202535.9%35.9%7.2%8.8%5.9%4.8%1.5%
Jan 202641.8%28.1%8.4%8.4%5.6%5.6%2.1%
Feb 202641.9%28%8.4%8.4%5.6%5.6%2.1%
Mar 202639.3%32.3%7.9%7.9%5.3%5.3%1.9%
Apr 202635.3%35.3%8.6%7.1%5.8%5.8%2.1%
May 202634.8%34.8%8.5%8.5%5.7%5.7%2.1%
Jun 202639%31.9%7.8%7.8%6.4%5.2%1.9%
Jul 202638.8%31.7%7.8%7.8%7.8%4.3%1.9%
Aug 202635.3%35.3%8.6%8.6%5.8%4.7%1.7%
Sep 202634.6%34.6%10.3%8.5%5.7%4.6%1.7%

How has the Madewell and Wrangler comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Madewell was ahead of Wrangler in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Madewell’s share of searches among denim brands worldwide moved from 31.9% to 34.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wrangler’s share of searches among denim brands worldwide moved from 9.5% to 8.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 201K.

How did search popularity change for denim brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Madewell lost share of searches among denim brands worldwide, from 35.3% to 34.6%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Wrangler worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 246K to 201K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Madewell’s and Wrangler’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.

Madewell

1 branded search term

  • madewell

Wrangler

1 branded search term

  • wrangler jeans

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among denim brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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