iCIMS vs SmartRecruiters:Which is more popular by branded search?
In August 2026, iCIMS and SmartRecruiters were level on Share of Search among recruitment marketing platforms worldwide, with an estimated 40.5K branded searches each, at 48.2% estimated Share of Search each. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Which is more popular in search, iCIMS or SmartRecruiters?
Compare the platforms used to attract job candidates. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for iCIMS, SmartRecruiters. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | iCIMS | SmartRecruiters | Beamery | Phenom | Clinch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.8% | 52.3% | 4.7% | 0.15% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 42.8% | 52.3% | 4.7% | 0.15% | 0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 52.8% | 43.2% | 3.9% | 0.18% | 0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 47.8% | 47.8% | 4.3% | 0.16% | 0.02% |
| Feb 2026 | 48.1% | 48.1% | 3.6% | 0.17% | 0.02% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.8% | 47.8% | 4.3% | 0.16% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 47.8% | 47.8% | 4.3% | 0.16% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 43.5% | 53.1% | 3.2% | 0.18% | 0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.5% | 53.2% | 3.2% | 0.18% | 0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 48.1% | 48.1% | 3.5% | 0.2% | 0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.2% | 48.2% | 3.5% | 0.17% | 0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
How has the iCIMS and SmartRecruiters comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 11 months ending August 2026: iCIMS took it in December 2025, SmartRecruiters took it in May 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, iCIMS’s estimated Share of Search among recruitment marketing platforms worldwide moved from 42.8% to 48.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 40.5K.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, SmartRecruiters’ estimated Share of Search among recruitment marketing platforms worldwide moved from 52.3% to 48.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 40.5K.
How did search popularity change for recruitment marketing platforms worldwide in August 2026?
2 changes
iCIMS’s estimated Share of Search among recruitment marketing platforms worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 43.5% to 48.2% in August 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for SmartRecruiters worldwide fell 33.1% over 11 measured months, from 60.5K to 40.5K in August 2026.
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using iCIMS’s and SmartRecruiters’ 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.
iCIMS
1 branded search term
- icims
SmartRecruiters
1 branded search term
- smartrecruiters
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.