Brandwave

Ancestry vs FamilySearch:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Ancestry had more branded searches than FamilySearch among family tree sites worldwide. Ancestry had about 2.2 million branded searches, while FamilySearch had 1.8 million. Ancestry made up 39.7% of all family tree site searches we track, and FamilySearch accounted for 32.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about family tree sites, both Ancestry and FamilySearch appeared in all five answers. Ancestry was mentioned before FamilySearch in three out of five answers.

Among family tree sites worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Ancestry, about 22% more searches than FamilySearch

Ancestry 2.2M searchesFamilySearch 1.8M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Ancestry in 5 of 5FamilySearch in 5 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Ancestry, named ahead of FamilySearch in 3 of 5 answers

Ancestry first in 3FamilySearch first in 2

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Top family tree sites in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Ancestry and FamilySearch showed up in all five answers. Ancestry was listed before FamilySearch in three of them.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Ancestry1st
  2. FamilySearch2nd
  3. MyHeritage3rd
  4. Findmypast4th
  5. 23andMe–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Ancestry5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • FamilySearch5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • MyHeritage4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Findmypast3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • 23andMe0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about family tree sites

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 19, 2026.

Is Ancestry or FamilySearch more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Ancestry and FamilySearch by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five family tree sites we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Ancestry and FamilySearch among family tree sites worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAncestryFamilySearchMyHeritage23andMeFindmypast
Oct 202538%31%20.7%9.3%1%
Nov 202536.2%29.6%24.3%8.9%0.98%
Dec 202538.4%25.7%25.7%9.4%0.85%
Jan 202636.8%30.1%24.7%7.4%0.99%
Feb 202641%27.5%22.3%8.2%0.91%
Mar 202643.6%29.1%19.4%7.2%0.79%
Apr 202636.6%36.6%19.9%6%0.81%
May 202639.2%32.1%21.4%6.4%0.87%
Jun 202641.7%27.9%22.7%6.8%0.92%
Jul 202639.2%32.1%21.4%6.4%0.87%
Aug 202639.6%32.4%21.6%5.3%1.1%
Sep 202639.7%32.4%21.6%5.3%0.88%

How has the Ancestry and FamilySearch comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Ancestry was ahead of FamilySearch in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ancestry’s share of searches among family tree sites worldwide moved from 38% to 39.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.2M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, FamilySearch’s share of searches among family tree sites worldwide moved from 31% to 32.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.8M.

How did search popularity change for family tree sites worldwide in September 2026?

1 change

  1. FamilySearch’s share of searches among family tree sites worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 27.9% to 32.4% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ancestry’s and FamilySearch’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.

Ancestry

1 branded search term

  • ancestry

FamilySearch

1 branded search term

  • familysearch

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among family tree sites

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