Fortnite vs Grand Theft Auto:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Fortnite had more branded searches than Grand Theft Auto among video game franchises worldwide. Fortnite had about 6.1 million branded searches, while Grand Theft Auto had 550,000. Fortnite made up 11.3% of all video game franchise searches we track, and Grand Theft Auto accounted for 1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about video game franchises, Grand Theft Auto appeared in three of the five answers and Fortnite in one. Grand Theft Auto was mentioned before Fortnite in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Fortnite, about 11 searches for every 1 for Grand Theft Auto
Who does AI mention more?
Grand Theft Auto, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Fortnite in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Grand Theft Auto, named ahead of Fortnite in 2 of 2 answers
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Top video game franchises in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Grand Theft Auto was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Fortnite was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Grand Theft Auto was listed before Fortnite 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.
The Legend of Zelda4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Minecraft3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Call of Duty3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Grand Theft Auto3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Mario Kart3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Resident Evil2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Pokémon2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Fortnite1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
EA Sports FC0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about video game franchises
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which video game franchise should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best video game franchise brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best video game franchise for family gaming?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“video game franchises”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best video games”
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 Fortnite or Grand Theft Auto more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine video game franchises we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Minecraft | Resident Evil | Pokémon | Fortnite | Call of Duty | The Legend of Zelda | Grand Theft Auto | Mario Kart | EA Sports FC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 57.8% | 3.5% | 14.2% | 14.2% | 5.2% | 2% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.18% |
| Nov 2025 | 54.1% | 3.3% | 13.3% | 19.9% | 4.9% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.14% |
| Dec 2025 | 58.5% | 2.9% | 11.8% | 17.6% | 5.3% | 1.7% | 0.87% | 1.3% | 0.12% |
| Jan 2026 | 61% | 3.7% | 12.3% | 15% | 3.7% | 2% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.19% |
| Feb 2026 | 56.5% | 5.1% | 17% | 13.9% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1% | 1% | 0.21% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.4% | 7.5% | 16.6% | 13.6% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.67% | 1% | 0.12% |
| Apr 2026 | 55.4% | 5% | 16.7% | 13.6% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.17% |
| May 2026 | 57.9% | 4.3% | 17.4% | 11.6% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 1% | 1% | 0.22% |
| Jun 2026 | 59.7% | 4.4% | 14.7% | 12% | 4.4% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 0.88% | 0.27% |
| Jul 2026 | 59.5% | 4.4% | 14.6% | 12% | 4.4% | 2.2% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.34% |
| Aug 2026 | 56% | 4.1% | 16.8% | 13.8% | 4.1% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.26% |
| Sep 2026 | 46% | 20.5% | 13.8% | 11.3% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 1% | 0.83% | 0.12% |
How has the Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Fortnite was ahead of Grand Theft Auto in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Fortnite’s share of searches among video game franchises worldwide moved from 14.2% to 11.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 6.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Grand Theft Auto’s share of searches among video game franchises worldwide moved from 1.6% to 1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 673K to 550K.
How did search popularity change for video game franchises worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Resident Evil overtook Pokémon and 2 others to rank 2nd among video game franchises worldwide, with 20.5% of the searches.
In September 2026, Fortnite lost share of searches among video game franchises worldwide, from 13.8% to 11.3%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Grand Theft Auto worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 673K to 550K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Fortnite’s and Grand Theft Auto’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.
Fortnite
1 branded search term
- fortnite
Grand Theft Auto
1 branded search term
- grand theft auto
Other head-to-heads among video game franchises
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