Google Search Console vs SE Ranking:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Search Console had more branded searches than SE Ranking among SEO tools worldwide. Google Search Console had about 4.1 million branded searches, while SE Ranking had 49,500. Google Search Console made up 68.1% of all SEO tool searches we track, and SE Ranking accounted for 0.82%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SEO tools, Google Search Console appeared in four of the five answers and SE Ranking in three. Google Search Console was mentioned before SE Ranking in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Google Search Console, about 83 searches for every 1 for SE Ranking
Who does AI mention more?
Google Search Console, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, SE Ranking in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Google Search Console, named ahead of SE Ranking in 3 of 4 answers
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Top SEO tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Search Console was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. SE Ranking was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Search Console was listed before SE Ranking 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.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Semrush5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ahrefs5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Google Search Console4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Screaming Frog4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
SE Ranking3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Google Keyword Planner2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
AnswerThePublic2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Moz Pro2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Ubersuggest1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Mangools1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about SEO tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which SEO tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best SEO tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best SEO tool for search marketing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“seo tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“keyword research tool”
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 21, 2026.
Is Google Search Console or SE Ranking more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Search Console and SE Ranking by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 SEO tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Google Search Console, SE Ranking. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Search Console | Semrush | Google Keyword Planner | Ahrefs | Ubersuggest | AnswerThePublic | Screaming Frog | SE Ranking | Mangools | Serpstat | Moz Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 54.2% | 16.6% | 8.6% | 9% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.06% |
| Nov 2025 | 55.4% | 17.1% | 7.7% | 7.5% | 5% | 4.1% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.05% |
| Dec 2025 | 60.8% | 15.3% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.33% | 0.15% | 0.05% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.3% | 12.8% | 6.6% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.34% | 0.15% | 0.05% |
| Feb 2026 | 58% | 14.6% | 7.5% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.32% | 0.17% | 0.07% |
| Mar 2026 | 54.2% | 24.2% | 5.8% | 6.2% | 4% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.98% | 0.25% | 0.16% | 0.06% |
| Apr 2026 | 60% | 16.1% | 6.4% | 6.7% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.15% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 62.3% | 13.4% | 6.6% | 6.9% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 2% | 0.28% | 0.15% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 68.3% | 12.5% | 5.6% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1.2% | 0.83% | 0.2% | 0.11% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 68.5% | 12.1% | 6.9% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.2% | 0.83% | 0.2% | 0.09% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 69.4% | 12.4% | 5.7% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 0.69% | 0.21% | 0.09% | 0.03% |
| Sep 2026 | 68.1% | 14% | 5.9% | 5% | 2.8% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.82% | 0.2% | 0.09% | 0.03% |
How has the Google Search Console and SE Ranking comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Search Console was ahead of SE Ranking in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Search Console’s share of searches among SEO tools worldwide moved from 54.2% to 68.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.7M to 4.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SE Ranking’s share of searches among SEO tools worldwide moved from 1.5% to 0.82%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for SEO tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Google Search Console lost share of searches among SEO tools worldwide, from 69.4% to 68.1%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for SE Ranking worldwide fell 33.1% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 49.5K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Search Console’s and SE Ranking’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 Search Console
1 branded search term
- google search console
SE Ranking
1 branded search term
- se ranking
Other head-to-heads among SEO tools

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Semrush vs Google Keyword Planner: compare popularity
Semrush vs Ahrefs: compare popularity

Put your own brand in this comparison
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