SmartSites vs WordStream:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, WordStream had more branded searches than SmartSites among pay per click agencies worldwide. WordStream had about 6,600 branded searches, while SmartSites had 5,400. WordStream made up 21.7% of all pay per click agency searches we track, and SmartSites accounted for 17.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pay per click agencies, SmartSites appeared in two of the four answers and WordStream in none.
Who do people search for more?
WordStream, about 22% more searches than SmartSites
Who does AI mention more?
SmartSites, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, WordStream in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
SmartSites, the only one of the two named
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Top pay per click agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, SmartSites was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. WordStream did not appear in any of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
KlientBoost3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Searchbloom3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- SmartSites2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Disruptive Advertising2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
HawkSEM2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
WebFX1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- WordStream0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Logical Position0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about pay per click agencies
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which pay per click agency should I hire?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best pay per click agencies?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best pay per click agency for lead generation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ppc agency”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pay per click agency”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
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 SmartSites or WordStream more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for SmartSites and WordStream by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight pay per click agencies we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for WordStream, SmartSites. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | WebFX | WordStream | SmartSites | Disruptive Advertising | KlientBoost | Logical Position | Searchbloom | HawkSEM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 31.9% | 31.9% | 11.7% | 5.3% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 1% | 5.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 33.4% | 33.4% | 12.2% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 1.3% | 4.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.4% | 30.5% | 11.1% | 4.9% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.7% | 26.5% | 11.8% | 5.5% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 1.9% | 1.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.2% | 28.8% | 12.8% | 5.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 34.8% | 28.5% | 12.7% | 7% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 31.9% | 26.1% | 14.2% | 6.5% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 2.3% | 3.6% |
| May 2026 | 34.8% | 28.4% | 12.6% | 4.7% | 6.9% | 8.3% | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.3% | 26.5% | 14.4% | 5.4% | 7.8% | 9.5% | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.9% | 26.9% | 14.6% | 5.4% | 8% | 8% | 2% | 2.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.3% | 25.6% | 11.4% | 5.1% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 2.3% | 2.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.6% | 21.7% | 17.8% | 8% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 5.3% | 2.2% |
How has the SmartSites and WordStream comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- WordStream was ahead of SmartSites in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SmartSites’ share of searches among pay per click agencies worldwide moved from 11.7% to 17.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 5.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WordStream’s share of searches among pay per click agencies worldwide moved from 31.9% to 21.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.8K to 6.6K.
How did search popularity change for pay per click agencies worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, SmartSites gained share of searches among pay per click agencies worldwide, from 11.4% to 17.8%.
In September 2026, WordStream lost share of searches among pay per click agencies worldwide, from 25.6% to 21.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using SmartSites’ and WordStream’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.
SmartSites
1 branded search term
- smartsites
WordStream
1 branded search term
- wordstream
Other head-to-heads among pay per click agencies
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