FirstPromoter vs Refersion:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, FirstPromoter and Refersion were level in searches among affiliate tracking platforms worldwide, with an estimated 2.9K versus 3.1K branded searches, at 1.6% and 1.7% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about affiliate tracking platforms, FirstPromoter appeared in three of the five answers and Refersion in two. FirstPromoter was mentioned before Refersion in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Refersion, about 7% more searches than FirstPromoter
Who does AI mention more?
FirstPromoter, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Refersion in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
FirstPromoter, named ahead of Refersion in 3 of 5 answers
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Top affiliate tracking platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, FirstPromoter was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Refersion was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. FirstPromoter was listed before Refersion in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Rewardful1st
Tapfiliate2nd
FirstPromoter3rd
Trackdesk4th
PartnerStack5th
Refersion6th
Voluum7th
impact.com8th
Awin–
CJ Affiliate–- +1 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Tapfiliate5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Rewardful4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
PartnerStack3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Voluum3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
FirstPromoter3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Trackdesk3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Refersion2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
impact.com1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Awin0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
CJ Affiliate0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about affiliate tracking platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which affiliate tracking platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best affiliate tracking platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best affiliate tracking platform for a subscription business?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“affiliate tracking software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“affiliate tracking platform”
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 FirstPromoter or Refersion more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for FirstPromoter and Refersion by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 affiliate tracking platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Refersion, FirstPromoter. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Awin | CJ Affiliate | PartnerStack | impact.com | ShareASale | Rewardful | Voluum | Refersion | FirstPromoter | Tapfiliate | Trackdesk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52% | 13.3% | 8.2% | 6.5% | 9.9% | 2% | 2.4% | 2.1% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.71% |
| Nov 2025 | 48.9% | 12.6% | 9.1% | 7.3% | 11% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 0.64% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.2% | 14% | 10.5% | 7.5% | 10.3% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1.6% | 0.74% |
| Jan 2026 | 48% | 12.1% | 11% | 7.1% | 10.7% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 0.77% |
| Feb 2026 | 51% | 10.7% | 9.7% | 7.7% | 9.5% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.68% |
| Mar 2026 | 41.5% | 21.6% | 11.8% | 6.2% | 9.4% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.55% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.6% | 12.6% | 11.4% | 7.3% | 9% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.9% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.65% |
| May 2026 | 46.1% | 12% | 12.9% | 8.3% | 8.4% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.2% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 0.74% |
| Jun 2026 | 47% | 12.1% | 13.2% | 7.7% | 8.6% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 2.3% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.76% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.3% | 13.2% | 10% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 53.3% | 13.2% | 10% | 7.9% | 5.4% | 3% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.54% |
| Sep 2026 | 56.7% | 10.8% | 10% | 8% | 5.4% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.6% | 1% | 0.54% |
How has the FirstPromoter and Refersion comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: FirstPromoter took it in August 2026, Refersion took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, FirstPromoter’s share of searches among affiliate tracking platforms worldwide moved from 1.3% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Refersion’s share of searches among affiliate tracking platforms worldwide moved from 2.1% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.7K to 3.1K.
How did search popularity change for affiliate tracking platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Refersion rose from 9th to 8th among affiliate tracking platforms worldwide.

In September 2026, FirstPromoter fell from 7th to 9th among affiliate tracking platforms worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using FirstPromoter’s and Refersion’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.
FirstPromoter
1 branded search term
- firstpromoter
Refersion
2 branded search terms
- refersion
- refersion affiliate
Other head-to-heads among affiliate tracking platforms

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