Brandwave

Ahrefs vs Google Keyword Planner:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Google Keyword Planner had more branded searches than Ahrefs among SEO tools worldwide. Google Keyword Planner had about 356,000 branded searches, while Ahrefs had 302,000. Google Keyword Planner made up 19.3% of all SEO tool searches we track, and Ahrefs accounted for 16.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SEO tools, Ahrefs appeared in all five answers and Google Keyword Planner in two. Ahrefs was mentioned before Google Keyword Planner in four out of five answers.

Among SEO tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google Keyword Planner, about 18% more searches than Ahrefs

Google Keyword Planner 356K searchesAhrefs 302K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Ahrefs, mentioned in every answer we collected

Ahrefs in 5 of 5Google Keyword Planner in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Ahrefs, named ahead of Google Keyword Planner in 4 of 5 answers

Ahrefs first in 4Google Keyword Planner first in 1

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Top SEO tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ahrefs appeared in all five answers. Google Keyword Planner was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Ahrefs was listed before Google Keyword Planner in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Semrush1st
  2. Ahrefs2nd
  3. Screaming Frog3rd
  4. SE Ranking4th
  5. Google Keyword Planner5th
  6. AnswerThePublic6th
  7. Moz Pro7th
  8. Mangools8th
  9. Ubersuggest9th
  10. Serpstat–

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
  • Ahrefs5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Screaming Frog4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • SE Ranking3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Google Keyword Planner2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • AnswerThePublic2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Moz Pro2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Ubersuggest1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Mangools1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Serpstat0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about SEO tools

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 21, 2026.

Is Ahrefs or Google Keyword Planner more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten SEO tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner among SEO tools worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthSemrushGoogle Keyword PlannerAhrefsUbersuggestAnswerThePublicSE RankingMangoolsSerpstatMoz ProScreaming Frog
Oct 202537.4%19.4%20.3%11%7.4%3.3%0.67%0.44%0.13%<0.01%
Nov 202539.6%17.8%17.5%11.5%9.4%2.8%0.7%0.46%0.11%<0.01%
Dec 202540.8%18.4%14.8%11.9%9.7%2.9%0.89%0.39%0.14%<0.01%
Jan 202635.2%18.2%19.1%12.6%10.3%3.1%0.94%0.42%0.15%<0.01%
Feb 202636.2%18.7%19.5%10.6%10.5%3.2%0.79%0.42%0.17%<0.01%
Mar 202654.6%13%14.1%9%6%2.2%0.55%0.36%0.13%<0.01%
Apr 202641.5%16.5%17.3%11.4%9.3%2.8%0.7%0.38%0.14%<0.01%
May 202637%18.2%19.1%10.3%8.4%5.6%0.77%0.42%0.15%<0.01%
Jun 202640.9%18.4%16.7%11%9%2.7%0.67%0.36%0.13%<0.01%
Jul 202639.9%22.7%17%9.1%7.5%2.7%0.67%0.3%0.13%<0.01%
Aug 202642.3%19.4%17.5%9.5%7.8%2.3%0.7%0.31%0.11%<0.01%
Sep 202645.5%19.3%16.4%9%6%2.7%0.66%0.29%0.09%<0.01%

How has the Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Google Keyword Planner took it in November 2025, Ahrefs took it in January 2026, Google Keyword Planner took it in June 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ahrefs’ share of searches among SEO tools worldwide moved from 20.3% to 16.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 455K to 302K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Keyword Planner’s share of searches among SEO tools worldwide moved from 19.4% to 19.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 436K to 356K.

How did search popularity change for SEO tools worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Ahrefs lost share of searches among SEO tools worldwide, from 17.5% to 16.4%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Google Keyword Planner worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 436K to 356K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ahrefs’ and Google Keyword Planner’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.

Ahrefs

2 branded search terms

  • ahrefs
  • ahrefs seo tools

Google Keyword Planner

2 branded search terms

  • google keyword planner
  • keyword planner

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among SEO tools

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