Brandwave

3M vs Lincoln Electric:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, 3M had more branded searches than Lincoln Electric among welding supplies brands worldwide. 3M had about 450,000 branded searches, while Lincoln Electric had 107,000. 3M made up 39.4% of all welding supplies brand searches we track, and Lincoln Electric accounted for 9.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about welding supplies brands, Lincoln Electric appeared in all five answers and 3M in two. Lincoln Electric was mentioned before 3M in every answer.

Among welding supplies brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

3M, about 4 searches for every 1 for Lincoln Electric

3M 450K searchesLincoln Electric 107K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Lincoln Electric, mentioned in every answer we collected

Lincoln Electric in 5 of 53M in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Lincoln Electric, named ahead of 3M in every answer

Lincoln Electric first in 43M never first

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Top welding supplies brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Lincoln Electric appeared in all five answers. 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. Lincoln Electric was listed before 3M in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Lincoln Electric1st
  2. Miller Electric2nd
  3. 3M3rd
  4. Hobart4th
  5. 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

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 Lincoln Electric more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for 3M and Lincoln Electric 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.

3M and Lincoln Electric among welding supplies brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for 3M, Lincoln Electric. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
Month3MBOCHobartLincoln ElectricMiller Electric
Oct 202536.5%36.5%16.3%9.3%1.5%
Nov 202538%31.1%20.8%9.1%1%
Dec 202538.5%31.5%21%8%1%
Jan 202636.3%29.7%24.3%8.6%1.2%
Feb 202641.9%28%18.7%10%1.4%
Mar 202635.5%35.5%19.4%8.4%1.2%
Apr 202636.8%36.8%16.4%8.8%1.2%
May 202636.8%36.8%16.4%8.8%1.2%
Jun 202640.1%32.8%17.9%7.8%1.3%
Jul 202642.5%28.5%19%8.3%1.7%
Aug 202644.3%29.7%16.2%8.6%1.2%
Sep 202639.4%32.3%17.6%9.4%1.3%

How has the 3M and Lincoln Electric comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • 3M was ahead of Lincoln Electric 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, Lincoln Electric’s share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide moved from 9.3% to 9.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 115K to 107K.

How did search popularity change for welding supplies brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Lincoln Electric gained share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 8.6% to 9.4%.

  2. In September 2026, 3M lost share of searches among welding supplies brands worldwide, from 44.3% to 39.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 3M’s and Lincoln Electric’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.

3M

1 branded search term

  • 3m

Lincoln Electric

2 branded search terms

  • lincoln electric
  • lincoln welder

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among welding supplies brands

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