Aetna vs UnitedHealthcare:Which is more popular by branded search?
In August 2026, UnitedHealthcare had more branded searches than Aetna among health insurance brands worldwide. UnitedHealthcare was estimated to have 1.2M branded searches compared to Aetna’s 90.5K, and held a 47.1% Share of Search versus Aetna’s 3.5%. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Which is more popular in search, Aetna or UnitedHealthcare?
Compare the health insurance brands finance teams use. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for UnitedHealthcare, Aetna. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | AXA | UnitedHealthcare | Aetna | Cigna | Humana | Bupa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 54.2% | 36.6% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.13% |
| Nov 2025 | 59.4% | 32.8% | 4.4% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.14% |
| Dec 2025 | 59.4% | 32.8% | 4.4% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 59.8% | 32.8% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.14% |
| Feb 2026 | 59.7% | 33% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.18% |
| Mar 2026 | 64.5% | 28.9% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.15% |
| Apr 2026 | 64.1% | 28.9% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.15% |
| May 2026 | 64.1% | 28.9% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.15% |
| Jun 2026 | 55.7% | 37.6% | 4.1% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.13% |
| Jul 2026 | 55.8% | 37.7% | 4.1% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.13% |
| Aug 2026 | 47.1% | 47.1% | 3.5% | 1.3% | 0.86% | 0.11% |
| Sep 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How has the Aetna and UnitedHealthcare comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- UnitedHealthcare was ahead of Aetna in every measured month of the 11 months ending August 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Aetna’s estimated Share of Search among health insurance brands worldwide moved from 4.9% to 3.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 90.5K.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, UnitedHealthcare’s estimated Share of Search among health insurance brands worldwide moved from 36.6% to 47.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for health insurance brands worldwide in August 2026?
2 changes
In August 2026, UnitedHealthcare gained estimated Share of Search among health insurance brands worldwide, from 37.7% to 47.1%.
In August 2026, Aetna lost estimated Share of Search among health insurance brands worldwide, from 4.1% to 3.5%.
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Aetna’s and UnitedHealthcare’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.
Aetna
1 branded search term
- aetna insurance
UnitedHealthcare
1 branded search term
- united healthcare
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.