Converse vs Vans:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Vans had more branded searches than Converse among sneaker brands worldwide. Vans had about 5 million branded searches, while Converse had 4.1 million. Vans made up 5.4% of all sneaker brand searches we track, and Converse accounted for 4.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sneaker brands, Converse appeared in three of the four answers and Vans in one. Converse was mentioned before Vans in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Vans, about 22% more searches than Converse
Who does AI mention more?
Converse, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Vans in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Converse, named ahead of Vans in 3 of 3 answers
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Top sneaker brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Converse was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Vans was mentioned in one out of four: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in the Google AI Overview. Converse was listed before Vans 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.
Nike4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Adidas4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
New Balance4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
ASICS4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Converse3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
HOKA3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Puma2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Reebok2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Salomon2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Vans1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about sneaker brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which sneaker brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best sneaker brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best sneaker brand for daily wear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sneaker brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“casual shoes”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Converse or Vans more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Converse and Vans by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 sneaker brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Vans, Converse. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Nike | Adidas | New Balance | Puma | ASICS | Skechers | Vans | Converse | HOKA | Reebok | Salomon | Allbirds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.9% | 24.2% | 14.1% | 9.3% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 2.8% | 2.4% | 0.57% | 0.31% |
| Nov 2025 | 28.5% | 25.9% | 13.1% | 8.6% | 4.9% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.44% | 0.29% |
| Dec 2025 | 28.1% | 25% | 12.4% | 8.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 2.2% | 0.5% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 30.2% | 22.8% | 11.5% | 9.5% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.4% | 0.7% | 0.31% |
| Feb 2026 | 27.5% | 24.7% | 12.5% | 10% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.2% | 0.62% | 0.28% |
| Mar 2026 | 27.4% | 25.1% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 2.2% | 0.61% | 0.34% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.9% | 23.3% | 13.8% | 11% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 2% | 0.68% | 1.5% |
| May 2026 | 23.2% | 25.1% | 10.5% | 14.5% | 5.8% | 7% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 0.63% | 0.28% |
| Jun 2026 | 25.6% | 26.5% | 11.7% | 9.6% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.1% | 0.71% | 0.32% |
| Jul 2026 | 25.8% | 27.1% | 11.6% | 9.8% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 0.7% | 0.21% |
| Aug 2026 | 23.5% | 25% | 12.8% | 10.7% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2% | 0.78% | 0.16% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.1% | 23.4% | 11.9% | 10% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 2.2% | 1.1% | 0.18% |
How has the Converse and Vans comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Vans was ahead of Converse in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Converse’s share of searches among sneaker brands worldwide moved from 3.5% to 4.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4M to 4.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vans’ share of searches among sneaker brands worldwide moved from 4.2% to 5.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1M to 5M.
How did search popularity change for sneaker brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Converse gained share of searches among sneaker brands worldwide, from 3.9% to 4.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Vans worldwide rose 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 4.1M to 5M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Converse’s and Vans’ 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.
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