Checkmate vs Zinc:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Zinc had more branded searches than Checkmate among reference checking software worldwide. Zinc had about 3,600 branded searches, while Checkmate had 140. Zinc made up 22.3% of all reference checking software searches we track, and Checkmate accounted for 0.87%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about reference checking software, Checkmate appeared in four of the five answers and Zinc in one. Checkmate was mentioned before Zinc in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Zinc, about 26 searches for every 1 for Checkmate
Who does AI mention more?
Checkmate, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Zinc in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Checkmate, named ahead of Zinc in 4 of 4 answers
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Top reference checking software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Checkmate was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Zinc was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Checkmate was listed before Zinc in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
HiPeople5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Xref5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Checkmate4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Crosschq3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
RefNow3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
SkillSurvey2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Zinc1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Checkster0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Referoo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about reference checking software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which reference checking software should we use for hiring?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best reference checking software platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best automated reference checking software for a growing company?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“reference check software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“reference checking software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 22, 2026.
Is Checkmate or Zinc more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Checkmate and Zinc by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine reference checking software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Zinc, Checkmate. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Zinc | Checkster | Referoo | Crosschq | HiPeople | SkillSurvey | RefNow | Xref | Checkmate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 18.1% | 15% | 18.1% | 15% | 15% | 10% | 5.5% | 2.4% | 1.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 19.8% | 16.4% | 19.8% | 11% | 16.4% | 6.8% | 6% | 2.7% | 0.96% |
| Dec 2025 | 19.4% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 12.9% | 19.4% | 8.1% | 5.8% | 2.6% | 1.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 20.2% | 16.7% | 16.7% | 13.3% | 16.7% | 9.1% | 5% | 1.2% | 0.98% |
| Feb 2026 | 20.5% | 17% | 20.5% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 7.1% | 5.1% | 1.8% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 18.3% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 15.2% | 12% | 8.2% | 5.6% | 3% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 19.1% | 19.1% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 12.5% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 1.1% |
| May 2026 | 19.1% | 23.8% | 15.8% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 6.6% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 0.92% |
| Jun 2026 | 19.1% | 19.1% | 19.1% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 23.2% | 23.2% | 15.5% | 12.2% | 12.2% | 6.4% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 0.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 22.7% | 22.7% | 15.1% | 12% | 12% | 8.2% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 22.3% | 18% | 18% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 9.9% | 4.5% | 3% | 0.87% |
How has the Checkmate and Zinc comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Zinc was ahead of Checkmate in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Checkmate’s share of searches among reference checking software worldwide moved from 1.1% to 0.87%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 170 to 140.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zinc’s share of searches among reference checking software worldwide moved from 18.1% to 22.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 3.6K.
How did search popularity change for reference checking software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Zinc rose from 2nd to 1st among reference checking software worldwide.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Checkmate worldwide fell 17.6% over 12 measured months, from 170 to 140 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Checkmate’s and Zinc’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.
Other head-to-heads among reference checking software
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