Brandwave

ChatGPT vs Perplexity:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, ChatGPT had more branded searches than Perplexity among generative AI platforms worldwide. ChatGPT had about 1903.3 million branded searches, while Perplexity had 13.4 million. ChatGPT made up 69.3% of all generative AI platform searches we track, and Perplexity accounted for 0.49%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about generative AI platforms, ChatGPT appeared in four of the five answers and Perplexity in three. ChatGPT was mentioned before Perplexity in every answer that named either.

Among generative AI platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

ChatGPT, about 142 searches for every 1 for Perplexity

ChatGPT 1903M searchesPerplexity 13.4M searches

Who does AI mention more?

ChatGPT, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Perplexity in 3

ChatGPT in 4 of 5Perplexity in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

ChatGPT, named ahead of Perplexity in 4 of 4 answers

ChatGPT first in 4Perplexity never first

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Top generative AI platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Perplexity was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. ChatGPT was listed before Perplexity in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. ChatGPT1st
  2. Claude2nd
  3. Gemini3rd
  4. Microsoft Copilot4th
  5. Perplexity5th
  6. Mistral AI–
  7. Cohere–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Gemini5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • ChatGPT4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Claude4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Microsoft Copilot4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Perplexity3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Mistral AI0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Cohere0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about generative AI platforms

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 19, 2026.

Is ChatGPT or Perplexity more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for ChatGPT and Perplexity by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven generative AI platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

ChatGPT and Perplexity among generative AI platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthChatGPTGeminiClaudeMicrosoft CopilotPerplexityMistral AICohere
Oct 202566.7%29.4%0.67%1.5%1.6%0.06%<0.01%
Nov 202570.6%25.5%0.83%1.7%1.4%0.06%<0.01%
Dec 202570%26.8%0.74%1.4%1%0.06%<0.01%
Jan 202669.1%27.7%0.95%1.4%0.86%0.06%<0.01%
Feb 202670.1%26%1.6%1.4%0.87%0.06%<0.01%
Mar 202666%27.8%3.7%1.5%0.82%0.07%<0.01%
Apr 202663%30.3%4.4%1.4%0.78%0.05%<0.01%
May 202665.2%28.7%4.3%1.3%0.56%0.05%<0.01%
Jun 202662.7%30.7%4.8%1.2%0.52%0.06%<0.01%
Jul 202666.4%27.6%4.5%1%0.47%0.04%<0.01%
Aug 202666.5%27.5%4.5%1%0.47%0.04%<0.01%
Sep 202669.3%25%4.2%0.88%0.49%0.05%<0.01%

How has the ChatGPT and Perplexity comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • ChatGPT was ahead of Perplexity in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, ChatGPT’s share of searches among generative AI platforms worldwide moved from 66.7% to 69.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1550M to 1903M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Perplexity’s share of searches among generative AI platforms worldwide moved from 1.6% to 0.49%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 37.7M to 13.4M.

How did search popularity change for generative AI platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, ChatGPT gained share of searches among generative AI platforms worldwide, from 66.5% to 69.3%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Perplexity worldwide fell 64.4% over 12 measured months, from 37.7M to 13.4M in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

44 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using ChatGPT’s and Perplexity’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.

ChatGPT

28 branded search terms

  • ai chatgpt
  • chat gpt
  • chat-gpt
  • ChatGPT
  • chatgpt 4
  • chatgpt 4o
  • chatgpt 5
  • chatgpt ai
  • chatgpt app
  • chatgpt atlas
  • chatgpt business
  • chatgpt chatbot
  • chatgpt desktop
  • chatgpt go
  • chatgpt image generator
  • chatgpt images
  • chatgpt openai
  • chatgpt plus
  • chatgpt pro
  • chatgpt search
  • chatgpt voice
  • chatgpt web
  • chatgpt website
  • chatgpt5
  • chatgptapp
  • open ai chatgpt
  • open chatgpt
  • openai chatgpt

Perplexity

16 branded search terms

  • comet browser
  • comet perplexity
  • perplexity
  • perplexity ai
  • perplexity ai app
  • perplexity ai search
  • perplexity app
  • perplexity browser
  • perplexity comet
  • perplexity finance
  • perplexity ia
  • perplexity labs
  • perplexity max
  • perplexity pro
  • perplexity search
  • perplexity.ai

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among generative AI platforms

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