Brandwave

Inbox Zero vs Shortwave:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Shortwave had more branded searches than Inbox Zero among AI email assistants worldwide. Shortwave had about 590 branded searches, while Inbox Zero had 140. Shortwave made up 1% of all AI email assistant searches we track, and Inbox Zero accounted for 0.24%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI email assistants, Shortwave appeared in all five answers and Inbox Zero in three. Shortwave was mentioned before Inbox Zero in four out of five answers.

Among AI email assistants worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Shortwave, about 4 searches for every 1 for Inbox Zero

Shortwave 590 searchesInbox Zero 140 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Shortwave, mentioned in every answer we collected

Shortwave in 5 of 5Inbox Zero in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Shortwave, named ahead of Inbox Zero in 4 of 5 answers

Shortwave first in 4Inbox Zero first in 1

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Top AI email assistants in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Shortwave appeared in all five answers. Inbox Zero was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Shortwave was listed before Inbox Zero in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Shortwave1st
  2. Inbox Zero2nd

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Shortwave5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Inbox Zero3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about AI email assistants

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which AI email assistant should I use?”

    1. 3Shortwave
    2. 4Inbox Zero

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best AI email assistants?”

    1. 3Shortwave
    2. 4Inbox Zero

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best AI email assistant for a busy inbox?”

    1. 1Inbox Zero
    2. 3Shortwave

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “ai email assistants”

    1. 3Shortwave

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “email productivity tool”

    1. 2Shortwave

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Inbox Zero or Shortwave more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Inbox Zero and Shortwave by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six AI email assistants we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Inbox Zero and Shortwave among AI email assistants worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Shortwave, Inbox Zero. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthShortwaveInbox Zero
Nov 20250.58%0.2%
Dec 20250.8%0.17%
Jan 20261%0.18%
Feb 20261.3%0.19%
Mar 20261.8%0.19%
Apr 20261.7%0.19%
May 20260.91%0.18%
Jun 20260.83%0.24%
Jul 20262.5%0.3%
Aug 20263.1%0.22%
Sep 20261%0.24%
Oct 2026——

How has branded search for Inbox Zero and Shortwave changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Shortwave was ahead of Inbox Zero in every measured month of the 11 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Inbox Zero’s share of searches among AI email assistants worldwide moved from 0.2% to 0.24%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 220 to 140.
  • Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Shortwave’s share of searches among AI email assistants worldwide moved from 0.58% to 1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 640 to 590.

How did search popularity change for AI email assistants worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Shortwave lost share of searches among AI email assistants worldwide, from 3.1% to 1%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Inbox Zero worldwide fell 36.4% over 11 measured months, from 220 to 140 in September 2026.

How are Inbox Zero’s and Shortwave’s branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Inbox Zero’s and Shortwave’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.

Inbox Zero

2 branded search terms

  • getinboxzero
  • inbox zero ai

Shortwave

2 branded search terms

  • shortwave ai
  • shortwave ai email assistant

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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