BrightLocal vs Semrush Local:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, BrightLocal had more branded searches than Semrush Local among local SEO platforms worldwide. BrightLocal had about 22,600 branded searches, while Semrush Local had 590. BrightLocal made up 29.7% of all local SEO platform searches we track, and Semrush Local accounted for 0.78%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about local SEO platforms, BrightLocal and Semrush Local each appeared in four of the five answers. BrightLocal was mentioned before Semrush Local in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
BrightLocal, about 38 searches for every 1 for Semrush Local
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
BrightLocal, named ahead of Semrush Local in every answer
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Top local SEO platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, BrightLocal and Semrush Local were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. BrightLocal was listed before Semrush Local in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- BrightLocal1st
Semrush Local2nd
Whitespark3rd
Local Falcon4th
Moz Local5th
Yext6th
Localo7th
Local Viking7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- BrightLocal4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Local Falcon4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Whitespark4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Semrush Local4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Moz Local3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Yext2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Localo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Local Viking1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about local SEO platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which local SEO platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best local SEO platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best local SEO platform for local businesses?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“local seo platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“citation management software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is BrightLocal or Semrush Local more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for BrightLocal and Semrush Local by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight local SEO platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for BrightLocal, Semrush Local. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Yext | BrightLocal | Local Falcon | Whitespark | Localo | Moz Local | Local Viking | Semrush Local |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46.7% | 31.8% | 9.5% | 6.3% | 0.63% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.83% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.4% | 38.2% | 11.4% | 7.5% | 0.73% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.66% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.7% | 37.5% | 13.2% | 7.4% | 0.6% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.65% |
| Jan 2026 | 34.5% | 35.8% | 15.7% | 8.5% | 0.69% | 2.4% | 1.7% | 0.75% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.3% | 38% | 12.8% | 7% | 1.1% | 4.6% | 1.6% | 0.61% |
| Mar 2026 | 31.6% | 40.1% | 13.9% | 7.8% | 1% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.69% |
| Apr 2026 | 34.6% | 35.7% | 15.2% | 8.6% | 0.89% | 3.1% | 1.3% | 0.75% |
| May 2026 | 34.7% | 35.8% | 15.3% | 7.1% | 1.3% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.76% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.1% | 31.7% | 16.7% | 7.7% | 1.3% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 0.83% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.7% | 30.5% | 19.1% | 7.5% | 1.6% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 0.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 33% | 33.6% | 17.6% | 9.9% | 1.6% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 35.6% | 29.7% | 19.2% | 10.7% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.95% | 0.78% |
How has the BrightLocal and Semrush Local comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- BrightLocal was ahead of Semrush Local in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BrightLocal’s share of searches among local SEO platforms worldwide moved from 31.8% to 29.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.6K to 22.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Semrush Local’s share of searches among local SEO platforms worldwide moved from 0.83% to 0.78%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 720 to 590.
How did search popularity change for local SEO platforms worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Yext overtook BrightLocal to become the leader among local SEO platforms worldwide, with 35.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, BrightLocal lost share of searches among local SEO platforms worldwide, from 33.6% to 29.7%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Semrush Local worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 720 to 590 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BrightLocal’s and Semrush Local’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.
BrightLocal
2 branded search terms
- brightlocal
- brightlocal local seo
Semrush Local
1 branded search term
- semrush local
Other head-to-heads among local SEO platforms
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