Brandwave

Google Search Console vs Semrush:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Google Search Console had more branded searches than Semrush among SEO tools worldwide. Google Search Console had about 4.1 million branded searches, while Semrush had 838,000. Google Search Console made up 68.1% of all SEO tool searches we track, and Semrush accounted for 14%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SEO tools, Semrush appeared in all five answers and Google Search Console in four. Semrush was mentioned before Google Search Console in every answer.

Among SEO tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google Search Console, about 5 searches for every 1 for Semrush

Google Search Console 4.1M searchesSemrush 838K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Semrush, mentioned in every answer we collected

Semrush in 5 of 5Google Search Console in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Semrush, named ahead of Google Search Console in every answer

Semrush first in 5Google Search Console never first

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Top SEO tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Semrush appeared in all five answers. Google Search Console was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Semrush was listed before Google Search Console in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Semrush1st
  2. Ahrefs2nd
  3. Google Search Console3rd
  4. Screaming Frog4th
  5. SE Ranking5th
  6. Google Keyword Planner6th
  7. AnswerThePublic7th
  8. Mangools8th
  9. Moz Pro9th
  10. Ubersuggest10th
  11. +1 more

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
  • Google Search Console4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 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

+1 more

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 Google Search Console or Semrush more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Search Console and Semrush by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 SEO tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Google Search Console and Semrush among SEO tools worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Google Search Console, Semrush. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGoogle Search ConsoleSemrushGoogle Keyword PlannerAhrefsUbersuggestAnswerThePublicScreaming FrogSE RankingMangoolsSerpstatMoz Pro
Oct 202554.2%16.6%8.6%9%4.9%3.3%1.5%1.5%0.3%0.2%0.06%
Nov 202555.4%17.1%7.7%7.5%5%4.1%1.5%1.2%0.3%0.2%0.05%
Dec 202560.8%15.3%6.9%5.6%4.5%3.7%1.6%1.1%0.33%0.15%0.05%
Jan 202662.3%12.8%6.6%6.9%4.6%3.7%1.4%1.1%0.34%0.15%0.05%
Feb 202658%14.6%7.5%7.9%4.3%4.3%1.6%1.3%0.32%0.17%0.07%
Mar 202654.2%24.2%5.8%6.2%4%2.7%1.5%0.98%0.25%0.16%0.06%
Apr 202660%16.1%6.4%6.7%4.4%3.6%1.3%1.1%0.27%0.15%0.05%
May 202662.3%13.4%6.6%6.9%3.7%3.1%1.4%2%0.28%0.15%0.06%
Jun 202668.3%12.5%5.6%5.1%3.4%2.8%1.2%0.83%0.2%0.11%0.04%
Jul 202668.5%12.1%6.9%5.1%2.8%2.3%1.2%0.83%0.2%0.09%0.04%
Aug 202669.4%12.4%5.7%5.1%2.8%2.3%1.3%0.69%0.21%0.09%0.03%
Sep 202668.1%14%5.9%5%2.8%1.8%1.2%0.82%0.2%0.09%0.03%

How has the Google Search Console and Semrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Google Search Console was ahead of Semrush in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Search Console’s share of searches among SEO tools worldwide moved from 54.2% to 68.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.7M to 4.1M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Semrush’s share of searches among SEO tools worldwide moved from 16.6% to 14%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 838K.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Semrush gained share of searches among SEO tools worldwide, from 12.4% to 14%.

  2. In September 2026, Google Search Console lost share of searches among SEO tools worldwide, from 69.4% to 68.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Search Console’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 Search Console

1 branded search term

  • google search console

Semrush

2 branded search terms

  • semrush
  • semrush seo tool

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among SEO tools

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