Brandwave

Certn vs First Advantage:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, First Advantage had more branded searches than Certn among background check platforms worldwide. First Advantage had about 110,000 branded searches, while Certn had 13,700. First Advantage made up 12.5% of all background check platform searches we track, and Certn accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about background check platforms, First Advantage appeared in three of the five answers and Certn in two. First Advantage was mentioned before Certn in three out of four answers.

Among background check platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

First Advantage, about 8 searches for every 1 for Certn

First Advantage 110K searchesCertn 13.7K searches

Who does AI mention more?

First Advantage, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Certn in 2

First Advantage in 3 of 5Certn in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

First Advantage, named ahead of Certn in 3 of 4 answers

First Advantage first in 3Certn first in 1

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Top background check platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, First Advantage was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Certn was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. First Advantage was listed before Certn in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Checkr1st
  2. HireRight2nd
  3. First Advantage3rd
  4. GoodHire4th
  5. Certn5th
  6. BeenVerified6th
  7. Accurate Background7th
  8. Sterling8th
  9. Veremark–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Checkr4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • HireRight3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • First Advantage3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • BeenVerified2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sterling2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Certn2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • GoodHire2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Accurate Background1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Veremark0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about background check platforms

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 20, 2026.

Is Certn or First Advantage more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Certn and First Advantage by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine background check platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Certn and First Advantage among background check platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for First Advantage, Certn. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthBeenVerifiedCheckrHireRightFirst AdvantageAccurate BackgroundSterlingCertnVeremarkGoodHire
Oct 202551.4%14.1%13.7%12.6%2.6%3.1%1.5%0.55%0.41%
Nov 202554.1%13.8%11.9%13.2%2.2%2.7%1.4%0.48%0.29%
Dec 202556.3%13.8%12.2%11.3%1.9%2.3%1.3%0.49%0.36%
Jan 202653.5%17.6%11.5%10.8%2.1%2.2%1.3%0.58%0.43%
Feb 202649.6%23%10.9%10%1.9%2.4%1.2%0.54%0.4%
Mar 202651.5%21.1%11.2%10.3%1.7%2.1%1.3%0.48%0.34%
Apr 202653.5%17.6%11.7%10.7%2.2%2.2%1.3%0.49%0.35%
May 202654.5%16.3%11.7%10.9%1.9%2.2%1.7%0.51%0.29%
Jun 202652%14.3%13.6%12.7%2.5%2.6%1.6%0.58%0.22%
Jul 202652.2%14.3%13.7%12.8%2.5%2.1%1.6%0.59%0.28%
Aug 202651.5%15%13.5%12.6%2.6%2.1%1.9%0.59%0.27%
Sep 202651.1%15.9%13.4%12.5%2.6%2.1%1.6%0.71%0.22%

How has the Certn and First Advantage comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for background check platforms worldwide in September 2026?

0 changes

Neither Certn nor First Advantage moved beyond provider rounding among background check platforms in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Certn’s and First Advantage’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.

Certn

5 branded search terms

  • background check certn
  • certn
  • certn background check
  • certn background screening
  • certn co

First Advantage

1 branded search term

  • first advantage

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among background check platforms

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