Grainger vs Steel Blue:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Grainger had more branded searches than Steel Blue among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide. Grainger had about 1.2 million branded searches, while Steel Blue had 60,500. Grainger made up 78% of all PPE and safety gear supplier searches we track, and Steel Blue accounted for 3.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about PPE and safety gear suppliers, Grainger appeared in all four answers and Steel Blue in none.
Who do people search for more?
Grainger, about 20 searches for every 1 for Steel Blue
Who does AI mention more?
Grainger, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Grainger, the only one of the two named
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Top PPE and safety gear suppliers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Grainger appeared in all four answers. Steel Blue 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.
- Grainger4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Fastenal3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- MSC Industrial Supply3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Steel Blue0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Total Safety0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
ProChoice0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about PPE and safety gear suppliers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which PPE supplier should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best PPE suppliers?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best PPE supplier for workplace safety gear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“safety gear suppliers”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“industrial safety gear”
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 Grainger or Steel Blue more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Grainger and Steel Blue by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six PPE and safety gear suppliers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Grainger, Steel Blue. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Grainger | Fastenal | Steel Blue | MSC Industrial Supply | Total Safety | ProChoice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 75.1% | 18.5% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.74% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.33% |
| Dec 2025 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Feb 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Mar 2026 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.22% |
| Apr 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| May 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
| Jun 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Jul 2026 | 78.1% | 15.8% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.63% | 0.19% |
| Aug 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
| Sep 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
How has the Grainger and Steel Blue comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Grainger was ahead of Steel Blue in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Grainger’s share of searches among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide moved from 75.1% to 78%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.2M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Steel Blue’s share of searches among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide moved from 3.7% to 3.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Grainger nor Steel Blue moved beyond provider rounding among PPE and safety gear suppliers in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Grainger’s and Steel Blue’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.
Grainger
1 branded search term
- grainger
Steel Blue
1 branded search term
- steelblue
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