Brandwave

Consensus vs NotebookLM:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, NotebookLM had more branded searches than Consensus among AI research assistants worldwide. NotebookLM had about 24.5 million branded searches, while Consensus had 1.6 million. NotebookLM made up 60.8% of all AI research assistant searches we track, and Consensus accounted for 3.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI research assistants, Consensus and NotebookLM each appeared in four of the five answers. NotebookLM was mentioned before Consensus in four out of five answers.

Among AI research assistants worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

NotebookLM, about 16 searches for every 1 for Consensus

NotebookLM 24.5M searchesConsensus 1.6M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.

Consensus in 4 of 5NotebookLM in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

NotebookLM, named ahead of Consensus in 4 of 5 answers

NotebookLM first in 4Consensus first in 1

Follow Consensus vs NotebookLM and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top AI research assistants in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Consensus and NotebookLM were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. NotebookLM was listed before Consensus in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Elicit1st
  2. Perplexity2nd
  3. NotebookLM3rd
  4. Consensus4th
  5. Scite5th
  6. Semantic Scholar6th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Elicit5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • NotebookLM4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Consensus4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Perplexity3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Scite3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Semantic Scholar1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about AI research assistants

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Consensus or NotebookLM more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Consensus and NotebookLM by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six AI research assistants we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Consensus and NotebookLM among AI research assistants worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNotebookLMPerplexityConsensusElicitSemantic ScholarScite
Oct 202523%73%2.2%1.1%0.58%0.12%
Nov 202530.6%65.1%2.6%0.99%0.54%0.13%
Dec 202542.1%53.8%2.5%0.95%0.52%0.13%
Jan 202649.7%45.8%2.8%1.1%0.5%0.12%
Feb 202649.9%45.6%2.6%1.1%0.62%0.12%
Mar 202653.3%41.8%2.8%1.2%0.8%0.11%
Apr 202658.3%37.1%2.8%1.1%0.59%0.1%
May 202662.7%32.7%3%0.94%0.52%0.08%
Jun 202662.6%32.7%3.3%0.94%0.42%0.08%
Jul 202660.3%34.6%3.2%1.1%0.63%0.08%
Aug 202660.8%33.7%3.6%1.1%0.61%0.1%
Sep 202660.8%33.4%3.8%1.1%0.75%0.12%

How has the Consensus and NotebookLM comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • NotebookLM was ahead of Consensus in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Consensus’ share of searches among AI research assistants worldwide moved from 2.2% to 3.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.1M to 1.6M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NotebookLM’s share of searches among AI research assistants worldwide moved from 23% to 60.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.9M to 24.5M.

How did search popularity change for AI research assistants worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for NotebookLM worldwide rose 106.1% over 12 measured months, from 11.9M to 24.5M in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Consensus worldwide rose 37.9% over 12 measured months, from 1.1M to 1.6M in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Consensus’ and NotebookLM’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.

Consensus

2 branded search terms

  • consensus
  • consensus ai

NotebookLM

2 branded search terms

  • notebook lm
  • notebooklm

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among AI research assistants

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free