Brandwave

AKQA vs MetaLab:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, AKQA and MetaLab were level in searches among UX design agencies worldwide, with an estimated 14.8K branded searches each, at 10.7% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about UX design agencies, MetaLab appeared in two of the four answers and AKQA in none.

Among UX design agencies worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

AKQA and MetaLab are searched for about as often as each other.

AKQA 14.8K searchesMetaLab 14.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

MetaLab, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, AKQA in 0

MetaLab in 2 of 4AKQA in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

MetaLab, the only one of the two named

MetaLab first in 2AKQA never named

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Top UX design agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, MetaLab was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. AKQA did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Clay1st
  2. MetaLab2nd
  3. Eleken3rd
  4. UX Studio4th
  5. IDEO5th
  6. Frog6th
  7. AKQA–
  8. R/GA–
  9. Huge–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Eleken3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • MetaLab2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Clay2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • UX Studio2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • IDEO1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Frog1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • AKQA0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • R/GA0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Huge0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about UX design agencies

4 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which UX design agency should I hire?”

    1. 1Eleken

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best UX design agencies?”

    1. 1Clay
    2. 2MetaLab
    3. 3IDEO
    4. 4UX Studio
    5. 5Eleken
    6. 6Frog

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best UX design agency for product design?”

    1. 1Clay
    2. 2MetaLab
    3. 3Eleken
    4. 4UX Studio

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “ux design agency”

    1. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “product design agency”

      Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

    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 AKQA or MetaLab more popular in search?

    This chart shows how often people search Google for AKQA and MetaLab by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine UX design agencies we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

    AKQA and MetaLab among UX design agencies worldwide, by month

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

    View monthly share of searches table
    MonthIDEOAKQAMetaLabFrogR/GAHugeElekenClayUX Studio
    Oct 202560.3%12.1%12.1%5.4%5.4%2.4%0.87%0.59%0.87%
    Nov 202556.4%13.8%13.8%6.2%5%2.2%0.99%0.67%0.99%
    Dec 202555.3%13.5%13.5%6%6%2.7%1.2%0.8%0.91%
    Jan 202653.9%13.2%16.2%5.9%5.9%2.1%0.95%0.64%1.2%
    Feb 202655.7%13.6%13.6%7.5%5%2.2%0.98%0.66%0.75%
    Mar 202653.8%13.2%13.2%8.8%5.9%2.6%0.95%0.64%0.95%
    Apr 202656.4%11.3%13.8%7.5%6.2%2.2%0.99%0.67%0.99%
    May 202653.1%13%15.9%7.1%5.8%2.5%0.88%0.77%0.88%
    Jun 202660.7%12.1%12.1%5.4%5.4%2%0.72%0.82%0.72%
    Jul 202664.4%10.5%12.9%4.7%3.8%1.7%0.71%0.63%0.63%
    Aug 202659.4%11.9%14.5%5.3%4.3%2.3%0.8%0.71%0.71%
    Sep 202665.7%10.7%10.7%4.8%3.9%2.1%0.73%0.64%0.64%

    How has the AKQA and MetaLab comparison changed over the last 12 months?

    3 findings
    • AKQA was ahead of MetaLab in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AKQA’s share of searches among UX design agencies worldwide moved from 12.1% to 10.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 14.8K.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MetaLab’s share of searches among UX design agencies worldwide moved from 12.1% to 10.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 14.8K.

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

    2 changes

    1. In September 2026, MetaLab lost share of searches among UX design agencies worldwide, from 14.5% to 10.7%.

    2. In September 2026, AKQA lost share of searches among UX design agencies worldwide, from 11.9% to 10.7%.

    How are branded searches counted?

    2 search terms

    Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AKQA’s and MetaLab’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.

    AKQA

    1 branded search term

    • akqa

    MetaLab

    1 branded search term

    • metalab

    How the Brand Demand Index is measured

    Other head-to-heads among UX design agencies

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