Brandwave

Getty Images vs Pixabay:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Pixabay had more branded searches than Getty Images among stock image sites worldwide. Pixabay had about 3.4 million branded searches, while Getty Images had 12,100. Pixabay made up 30.8% of all stock image site searches we track, and Getty Images accounted for 0.11%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stock image sites, Getty Images and Pixabay each appeared in three of the five answers. Pixabay was mentioned before Getty Images in three out of four answers that named either.

Among stock image sites worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Pixabay, about 277 searches for every 1 for Getty Images

Pixabay 3.4M searchesGetty Images 12.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.

Getty Images in 3 of 5Pixabay in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Pixabay, named ahead of Getty Images in 3 of 4 answers

Pixabay first in 3Getty Images first in 1

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Top stock image sites in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Getty Images was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Pixabay was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Pixabay was listed before Getty Images in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Unsplash1st
  2. Adobe Stock2nd
  3. Shutterstock3rd
  4. Pexels4th
  5. Pixabay5th
  6. Getty Images6th
  7. iStock7th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Pexels5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Unsplash5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adobe Stock4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Shutterstock4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Pixabay3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Getty Images3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • iStock2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about stock image sites

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Getty Images or Pixabay more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Getty Images and Pixabay by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven stock image sites we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Getty Images and Pixabay among stock image sites worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Pixabay, Getty Images. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPixabayPexelsAdobe StockShutterstockUnsplashiStockGetty Images
Oct 202527.3%18.3%18.3%17.4%15%3.7%0.05%
Nov 202529.1%19.5%15.9%15.6%15.9%3.9%0.06%
Dec 202530.2%20.2%16.5%16.2%13.5%3.3%0.03%
Jan 202630.2%20.2%16.5%16.2%13.5%3.3%0.04%
Feb 202626.8%21.9%17.9%15%14.7%3.6%0.06%
Mar 202628.3%18.9%18.9%15.2%15.5%3.1%0.05%
Apr 202630.9%20.7%16.9%14.1%13.8%3.4%0.04%
May 202627%22.1%18.1%15.1%14.8%3%0.04%
Jun 202628.7%19.2%19.2%16.7%12.8%3.2%0.23%
Jul 202626.4%21.6%17.7%16.1%14.5%3.6%0.12%
Aug 202626.6%21.8%17.8%16.2%14.6%2.9%0.1%
Sep 202630.8%20.6%16.8%14.6%13.8%3.4%0.11%

How has the Getty Images and Pixabay comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Pixabay was ahead of Getty Images in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Getty Images’ share of searches among stock image sites worldwide moved from 0.05% to 0.11%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 12.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pixabay’s share of searches among stock image sites worldwide moved from 27.3% to 30.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1M to 3.4M.

How did search popularity change for stock image sites worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Pixabay gained share of searches among stock image sites worldwide, from 26.6% to 30.8%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Getty Images worldwide rose 49.4% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 12.1K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Getty Images’ and Pixabay’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.

Getty Images

1 branded search term

  • getty images stock

Pixabay

1 branded search term

  • pixabay

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among stock image sites

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