Google Alerts vs Meltwater:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Alerts had more branded searches than Meltwater among brand monitoring tools worldwide. Google Alerts had about 246,000 branded searches, while Meltwater had 730. Google Alerts made up 55.2% of all brand monitoring tool searches we track, and Meltwater accounted for 0.16%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about brand monitoring tools, Meltwater appeared in four of the five answers and Google Alerts in three. Meltwater was mentioned before Google Alerts in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Google Alerts, about 337 searches for every 1 for Meltwater
Who does AI mention more?
Meltwater, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Google Alerts in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Meltwater, named ahead of Google Alerts in 4 of 4 answers
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Top brand monitoring tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Meltwater was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Google Alerts was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Meltwater was listed before Google Alerts in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Brand241st
Brandwatch2nd
Sprout Social3rd- Meltwater4th
Awario5th
Talkwalker6th
Mention6th- Google Alerts8th
YouScan–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Brand245 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Brandwatch4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Meltwater4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Google Alerts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Sprout Social3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Talkwalker2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Awario2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Mention2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- YouScan0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about brand monitoring tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which brand monitoring tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best brand monitoring tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best brand monitoring tool for brand mentions?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“social listening tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“brand monitoring software”
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 Google Alerts or Meltwater more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Alerts and Meltwater by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine brand monitoring tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Alerts, Meltwater. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Alerts | Sprout Social | Brandwatch | Brand24 | Talkwalker | YouScan | Awario | Meltwater | Mention |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.9% | 23% | 10.2% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 1.1% | 0.75% | 0.14% | 0.07% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.1% | 22.1% | 12.1% | 8.1% | 6.6% | 1.1% | 0.73% | 0.14% | 0.08% |
| Dec 2025 | 53.9% | 20% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 1.2% | 0.65% | 0.13% | 0.07% |
| Jan 2026 | 55.7% | 20.5% | 9.2% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 1.2% | 0.83% | 0.16% | 0.09% |
| Feb 2026 | 53.4% | 19.9% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 1.8% | 0.8% | 0.21% | 0.08% |
| Mar 2026 | 53.9% | 19.9% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 1.2% | 0.66% | 0.18% | 0.09% |
| Apr 2026 | 53.7% | 20% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 1.4% | 0.64% | 0.21% | 0.1% |
| May 2026 | 53.7% | 20% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 1.4% | 0.54% | 0.26% | 0.09% |
| Jun 2026 | 53.7% | 20% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 1.4% | 0.54% | 0.26% | 0.07% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.4% | 20.9% | 9.3% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 1.2% | 0.56% | 0.2% | 0.09% |
| Aug 2026 | 56.4% | 20.9% | 9.3% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 1.2% | 0.57% | 0.2% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 55.2% | 20.5% | 11.1% | 6.1% | 5% | 1.2% | 0.67% | 0.16% | 0.06% |
How has the Google Alerts and Meltwater comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Alerts was ahead of Meltwater in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Alerts’ share of searches among brand monitoring tools worldwide moved from 50.9% to 55.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Meltwater’s share of searches among brand monitoring tools worldwide moved from 0.14% to 0.16%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 800 to 730.
How did search popularity change for brand monitoring tools worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Google Alerts lost share of searches among brand monitoring tools worldwide, from 56.4% to 55.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Alerts’ and Meltwater’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.
Google Alerts
1 branded search term
- google alerts
Meltwater
4 branded search terms
- meltwater media intelligence
- meltwater media monitoring
- meltwater social listening
- meltwater software
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