Ahrefs vs Google Keyword Planner:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner were level in searches among keyword research tools worldwide, with an estimated 352K versus 356K branded searches, at 18.2% and 18.4% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about keyword research tools, Google Keyword Planner appeared in all five answers and Ahrefs in four. Ahrefs was mentioned before Google Keyword Planner in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Google Keyword Planner, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Ahrefs, named ahead of Google Keyword Planner in 3 of 5 answers
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Top keyword research tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Keyword Planner appeared in all five answers. Ahrefs was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Ahrefs was listed before Google Keyword Planner in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Semrush1st- Google Keyword Planner2nd
- Ahrefs3rd
KWFinder4th
Ubersuggest5th
AnswerThePublic6th
Moz–
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
- Google Keyword Planner5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ahrefs4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Ubersuggest3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- KWFinder3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- AnswerThePublic2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Moz0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about keyword research tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which keyword research tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best keyword research tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best keyword research tool for search optimisation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“keyword research tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“seo keyword tool”
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 Ahrefs or Google Keyword Planner more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven keyword research tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Semrush | Google Keyword Planner | Ahrefs | Ubersuggest | AnswerThePublic | Moz | KWFinder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 35.9% | 18.7% | 21.6% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 0.42% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.9% | 17.1% | 18.5% | 11% | 9% | 6% | 0.44% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.5% | 17.3% | 15.8% | 11.2% | 9.2% | 7.5% | 0.45% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.5% | 17.3% | 20.5% | 12% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 0.39% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.7% | 17.9% | 21.2% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 5.5% | 0.41% |
| Mar 2026 | 52.9% | 12.6% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 0.23% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.6% | 15.3% | 20.8% | 10.6% | 8.6% | 5.8% | 0.28% |
| May 2026 | 34.9% | 17.2% | 23.3% | 9.7% | 8% | 6.5% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.3% | 16.8% | 20.7% | 10% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 0.27% |
| Jul 2026 | 34.7% | 19.7% | 24.4% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 0.26% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.5% | 17.7% | 20.7% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 0.28% |
| Sep 2026 | 43.3% | 18.4% | 18.2% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 0.28% |
How has the Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Google Keyword Planner took it in December 2025, Ahrefs took it in January 2026, Google Keyword Planner took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ahrefs’ share of searches among keyword research tools worldwide moved from 21.6% to 18.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 505K to 352K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Keyword Planner’s share of searches among keyword research tools worldwide moved from 18.7% to 18.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 436K to 356K.
How did search popularity change for keyword research tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Google Keyword Planner overtook Ahrefs to rank 2nd among keyword research tools worldwide, with 18.4% of the searches.
In September 2026, Ahrefs lost share of searches among keyword research tools worldwide, from 20.7% to 18.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ahrefs’ and Google Keyword Planner’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.
Ahrefs
3 branded search terms
- ahrefs
- ahrefs backlink checker
- ahrefs seo tools
Google Keyword Planner
2 branded search terms
- google keyword planner
- keyword planner
Other head-to-heads among keyword research tools
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