3M vs BOC:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, 3M had more branded searches than BOC among welding supplies brands worldwide. 3M had about 450,000 branded searches, while BOC had 368,000. 3M made up 39.4% of all welding supplies brand searches we track, and BOC accounted for 32.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about welding supplies brands, 3M appeared in two of the five answers and BOC in none.
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Top welding supplies brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, 3M was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. BOC did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Lincoln Electric1st- Miller Electric2nd
- 3M3rd
Hobart4th
BOC–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Lincoln Electric5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Miller Electric4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- 3M2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Hobart2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- BOC0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about welding supplies brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which welding supplies brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best welding supplies brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best welding supplies brand for shop consumables?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“industrial welding supplies”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best welding supplies”
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 3M or BOC more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for 3M and BOC by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five welding supplies brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for 3M, BOC. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | 3M | BOC | Hobart | Lincoln Electric | Miller Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 36.5% | 36.5% | 16.3% | 9.3% | 1.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 38% | 31.1% | 20.8% | 9.1% | 1% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.5% | 31.5% | 21% | 8% | 1% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.3% | 29.7% | 24.3% | 8.6% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 41.9% | 28% | 18.7% | 10% | 1.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.5% | 35.5% | 19.4% | 8.4% | 1.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 36.8% | 36.8% | 16.4% | 8.8% | 1.2% |
| May 2026 | 36.8% | 36.8% | 16.4% | 8.8% | 1.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 40.1% | 32.8% | 17.9% | 7.8% | 1.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.5% | 28.5% | 19% | 8.3% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 44.3% | 29.7% | 16.2% | 8.6% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.4% | 32.3% | 17.6% | 9.4% | 1.3% |
How has the 3M and BOC comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- 3M was ahead of BOC in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3M’s share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide moved from 36.5% to 39.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 450K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BOC’s share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide moved from 36.5% to 32.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 368K.
How did search popularity change for welding supplies brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, BOC gained share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 29.7% to 32.3%.
In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 44.3% to 39.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 3M’s and BOC’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.
Other head-to-heads among welding supplies brands
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