Freestar vs Publift:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Freestar had more branded searches than Publift among publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide. Freestar had about 3,600 branded searches, while Publift had 1,000. Freestar made up 1.7% of all publisher ad monetisation platform searches we track, and Publift accounted for 0.48%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about publisher ad monetisation platforms, Freestar appeared in two of the four answers and Publift in one. Freestar was mentioned before Publift in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Freestar, about 4 searches for every 1 for Publift
Who does AI mention more?
Freestar, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Publift in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Freestar, named ahead of Publift in 2 of 2 answers
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Top publisher ad monetisation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Freestar was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Publift was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Freestar was listed before Publift 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.
Google Ad Manager3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Mediavine3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Raptive3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Ezoic2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Freestar2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Snigel1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Publift1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about publisher ad monetisation platforms
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which publisher ad monetisation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best publisher ad monetisation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best publisher ad monetisation platform for a media site?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“publisher ad monetisation platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best ad monetisation platform”
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 21, 2026.
Is Freestar or Publift more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Freestar and Publift by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven publisher ad monetisation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Freestar, Publift. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Ad Manager | Mediavine | Snigel | Ezoic | Raptive | Freestar | Publift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.2% | 6% | 7.4% | 11.1% | 3.3% | 4% | 0.98% |
| Nov 2025 | 69.3% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 11.4% | 2.8% | 4.2% | 1% |
| Dec 2025 | 71.2% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 11.7% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 0.84% |
| Jan 2026 | 69.1% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 11.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 70.5% | 5.2% | 7.8% | 9.5% | 3.5% | 2.8% | 0.83% |
| Mar 2026 | 73.8% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 3% | 2.4% | 0.71% |
| Apr 2026 | 73.5% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 0.54% |
| May 2026 | 73.9% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 8.1% | 3% | 2.4% | 0.55% |
| Jun 2026 | 76% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 6.8% | 3% | 2.5% | 0.56% |
| Jul 2026 | 76.7% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 0.57% |
| Aug 2026 | 75.4% | 6.8% | 5.5% | 6.8% | 3% | 2% | 0.56% |
| Sep 2026 | 78.5% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.48% |
How has the Freestar and Publift comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Freestar was ahead of Publift in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Freestar’s share of searches among publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide moved from 4% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 3.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Publift’s share of searches among publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide moved from 0.98% to 0.48%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.6K to 1K.
How did search popularity change for publisher ad monetisation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Freestar’s and Publift’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.
Other head-to-heads among publisher ad monetisation platforms
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