Google Keyword Planner vs Semrush:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Semrush had more branded searches than Google Keyword Planner among keyword research tools worldwide. Semrush had about 838,000 branded searches, while Google Keyword Planner had 356,000. Semrush made up 43.3% of all keyword research tool searches we track, and Google Keyword Planner accounted for 18.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about keyword research tools, both Google Keyword Planner and Semrush appeared in all five answers. Semrush was mentioned before Google Keyword Planner in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Semrush, about 2 searches for every 1 for Google Keyword Planner
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Semrush, named ahead of Google Keyword Planner in 4 of 5 answers
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Top keyword research tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Google Keyword Planner and Semrush showed up in all five answers. Semrush was listed before Google Keyword Planner in four of them.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Semrush1st
Google Keyword Planner2nd
Ahrefs3rd
KWFinder4th
Ubersuggest5th
AnswerThePublic6th
Moz–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Semrush5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Google Keyword Planner5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ahrefs4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Ubersuggest3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- KWFinder3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- AnswerThePublic2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Moz0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about keyword research tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which keyword research tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best keyword research tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best keyword research tool for search optimisation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“keyword research tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“seo keyword tool”
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 21, 2026.
Is Google Keyword Planner or Semrush more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Keyword Planner and Semrush by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven keyword research tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Semrush, Google Keyword Planner. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Semrush | Google Keyword Planner | Ahrefs | Ubersuggest | AnswerThePublic | Moz | KWFinder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 35.9% | 18.7% | 21.6% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 0.42% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.9% | 17.1% | 18.5% | 11% | 9% | 6% | 0.44% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.5% | 17.3% | 15.8% | 11.2% | 9.2% | 7.5% | 0.45% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.5% | 17.3% | 20.5% | 12% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 0.39% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.7% | 17.9% | 21.2% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 5.5% | 0.41% |
| Mar 2026 | 52.9% | 12.6% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 0.23% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.6% | 15.3% | 20.8% | 10.6% | 8.6% | 5.8% | 0.28% |
| May 2026 | 34.9% | 17.2% | 23.3% | 9.7% | 8% | 6.5% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.3% | 16.8% | 20.7% | 10% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 0.27% |
| Jul 2026 | 34.7% | 19.7% | 24.4% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 0.26% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.5% | 17.7% | 20.7% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 0.28% |
| Sep 2026 | 43.3% | 18.4% | 18.2% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 0.28% |
How has the Google Keyword Planner and Semrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Semrush was ahead of Google Keyword Planner in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Keyword Planner’s share of searches among keyword research tools worldwide moved from 18.7% to 18.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 436K to 356K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Semrush’s share of searches among keyword research tools worldwide moved from 35.9% to 43.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 838K.
How did search popularity change for keyword research tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Google Keyword Planner overtook Ahrefs to rank 2nd among keyword research tools worldwide, with 18.4% of the searches.
In September 2026, Semrush gained share of searches among keyword research tools worldwide, from 38.5% to 43.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Keyword Planner’s and Semrush’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.
Google Keyword Planner
2 branded search terms
- google keyword planner
- keyword planner
Semrush
2 branded search terms
- semrush
- semrush seo tool
Other head-to-heads among keyword research tools
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