Brandwave

Aerotek vs Hays:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Aerotek and Hays were level in searches among staffing agencies worldwide, with an estimated 201K branded searches each, at 4.8% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about staffing agencies, Aerotek appeared in two of the three answers and Hays in none.

Among staffing agencies worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Aerotek and Hays are searched for about as often as each other.

Aerotek 201K searchesHays 201K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Aerotek, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Hays in 0

Aerotek in 2 of 3Hays in 0 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Aerotek, the only one of the two named

Aerotek first in 2Hays never named

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Top staffing agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Aerotek was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Hays did not appear in any of the three answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Express Employment Professionals1st
  2. Robert Half2nd
  3. Aerotek3rd
  4. Randstad4th
  5. Kelly Services5th
  6. Adecco–
  7. Hays–
  8. Manpower–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

See every answer about staffing agencies

3 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 Aerotek or Hays more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Aerotek and Hays by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight staffing agencies we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Aerotek and Hays among staffing agencies worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Aerotek, Hays. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAdeccoRandstadExpress Employment ProfessionalsKelly ServicesRobert HalfAerotekHaysManpower
Oct 202534.8%34.8%7%4.7%7%5.7%5.7%0.34%
Nov 202535.1%35.1%7.1%4.8%7.1%4.7%5.8%0.35%
Dec 202531.5%38.4%7.7%5.2%6.3%5.2%5.2%0.38%
Jan 202635.6%35.6%5.8%4.9%7.1%5.8%4.8%0.35%
Feb 202632.1%39.5%6.5%4.4%6.5%5.3%5.3%0.39%
Mar 202636.3%36.3%7.3%4.1%6%4.9%4.9%0.36%
Apr 202631.7%38.9%7.8%4.4%6.4%5.2%5.2%0.38%
May 202632.5%40%6.6%4.5%5.4%5.4%5.4%0.32%
Jun 202632.1%39.4%7.9%4.4%5.3%5.3%5.3%0.32%
Jul 202634.2%34.2%8.4%4.7%6.9%5.6%5.6%0.28%
Aug 202629.1%35.5%8.8%7.3%7.2%5.9%5.9%0.43%
Sep 202635.6%35.6%7.1%5.9%5.8%4.8%4.8%0.35%

How has the Aerotek and Hays comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Aerotek took it in January 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Aerotek’s share of searches among staffing agencies worldwide moved from 5.7% to 4.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 201K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hays’ share of searches among staffing agencies worldwide moved from 5.7% to 4.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 201K.

How did search popularity change for staffing agencies worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Aerotek lost share of searches among staffing agencies worldwide, from 5.9% to 4.8%.

  2. In September 2026, Hays lost share of searches among staffing agencies worldwide, from 5.9% to 4.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Aerotek’s and Hays’ 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.

Aerotek

1 branded search term

  • aerotek

Hays

1 branded search term

  • hays

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among staffing agencies

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