Brandwave

DuckDuckGo vs Google:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Google had more branded searches than DuckDuckGo among search engines worldwide. Google had about 459.5 million branded searches, while DuckDuckGo had 68 million. Google made up 81.9% of all search engine searches we track, and DuckDuckGo accounted for 12.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about search engines, Google appeared in four of the five answers and DuckDuckGo in three. Google was mentioned before DuckDuckGo in every answer that named either.

Among search engines worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google, about 7 searches for every 1 for DuckDuckGo

Google 460M searchesDuckDuckGo 68M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Google, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, DuckDuckGo in 3

Google in 4 of 5DuckDuckGo in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Google, named ahead of DuckDuckGo in 4 of 4 answers

Google first in 4DuckDuckGo never first

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Top search engines in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. DuckDuckGo was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google was listed before DuckDuckGo in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Google1st
  2. DuckDuckGo2nd
  3. Bing3rd
  4. Algolia4th
  5. Brave Search5th
  6. Elastic6th
  7. Perplexity7th
  8. Meilisearch8th
  9. Typesense9th
  10. Ecosia10th
  11. +3 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Google4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Bing4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • DuckDuckGo3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Perplexity3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Brave Search3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ecosia2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Algolia2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Elastic2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Meilisearch1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Solr1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

+3 more

See every answer about search engines

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 19, 2026.

Is DuckDuckGo or Google more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for DuckDuckGo and Google by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 13 search engines we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

DuckDuckGo and Google among search engines worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGoogleDuckDuckGoBingPerplexityBrave SearchYahooEcosiaOpenSearchAlgoliaMeilisearchSolrTypesenseElastic
Oct 202580.6%9.8%2.4%6.5%0.48%0.18%0.08%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Nov 202583.2%8.2%2.5%5.3%0.5%0.18%0.08%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Dec 202584.3%8.5%2.5%3.9%0.51%0.19%0.08%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Jan 202684.6%8.5%2.5%3.4%0.51%0.19%0.19%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Feb 202682.5%9.8%2.9%3.9%0.59%0.18%0.14%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Mar 202683.1%10.1%2.5%3.4%0.61%0.18%0.15%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Apr 202684.7%8.4%2.5%3.5%0.62%0.18%0.12%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
May 202683.4%10.3%2.5%2.9%0.62%0.18%0.12%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Jun 202683.6%10.5%2.6%2.4%0.63%0.19%0.13%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Jul 202683.8%10.6%2.6%2.1%0.52%0.19%0.11%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Aug 202683.8%10.5%2.6%2.1%0.63%0.23%0.13%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Sep 202681.9%12.1%2.4%2.4%0.73%0.27%0.18%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%<0.01%

How has the DuckDuckGo and Google comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Google was ahead of DuckDuckGo in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, DuckDuckGo’s share of searches among search engines worldwide moved from 9.8% to 12.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 55.6M to 68M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google’s share of searches among search engines worldwide moved from 80.6% to 81.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 460M.

How did search popularity change for search engines worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, DuckDuckGo gained share of searches among search engines worldwide, from 10.5% to 12.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Google lost share of searches among search engines worldwide, from 83.8% to 81.9%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using DuckDuckGo’s and Google’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.

DuckDuckGo

1 branded search term

  • duckduckgo

Google

2 branded search terms

  • google
  • google docs

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among search engines

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