Mercari vs The RealReal:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Mercari had more branded searches than The RealReal among second hand marketplaces worldwide. Mercari had about 2.2 million branded searches, while The RealReal had 1 million. Mercari made up 2.2% of all second hand marketplace searches we track, and The RealReal accounted for 0.99%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about second hand marketplaces, Mercari appeared in all four answers and The RealReal in three. Mercari was mentioned before The RealReal in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Mercari, about 2 searches for every 1 for The RealReal
Who does AI mention more?
Mercari, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Mercari, named ahead of The RealReal in every answer
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Top second hand marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Mercari appeared in all four answers. The RealReal was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Mercari was listed before The RealReal in every answer.
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.
eBay4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Mercari4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Poshmark4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Depop3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
The RealReal3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
OfferUp3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
ThredUp2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Vinted0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about second hand marketplaces
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which second hand marketplace should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best second hand marketplaces?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best second hand marketplace for selling pre loved clothes?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“second hand marketplaces”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sell used clothes”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
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 19, 2026.
Is Mercari or The RealReal more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mercari and The RealReal by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight second hand marketplaces we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Mercari, The RealReal. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | eBay | Vinted | Depop | Mercari | Poshmark | The RealReal | OfferUp | ThredUp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 58.3% | 31.9% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Nov 2025 | 63.1% | 28.2% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.92% | 0.93% | 0.93% |
| Dec 2025 | 66.6% | 24.4% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1% | 0.98% | 0.81% |
| Jan 2026 | 66% | 24.2% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.97% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 61.5% | 27.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 62.1% | 27.8% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.9% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 58.5% | 32% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.87% | 1.1% |
| May 2026 | 58.4% | 31.9% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.1% | 0.86% | 1.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 58.3% | 31.9% | 2.9% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.86% | 0.86% |
| Jul 2026 | 61.4% | 27.5% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.91% | 0.91% |
| Aug 2026 | 57.5% | 31.4% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.1% | 0.85% | 1% |
| Sep 2026 | 53.7% | 35.9% | 3.9% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.99% | 0.79% | 0.79% |
How has the Mercari and The RealReal comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Mercari was ahead of The RealReal in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mercari’s share of searches among second hand marketplaces worldwide moved from 2.4% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.2M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, The RealReal’s share of searches among second hand marketplaces worldwide moved from 1% to 0.99%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 988K to 1M.
How did search popularity change for second hand marketplaces worldwide in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Mercari nor The RealReal moved beyond provider rounding among second hand marketplaces in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mercari’s and The RealReal’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.
Mercari
1 branded search term
- mercari
The RealReal
2 branded search terms
- the realreal
- therealreal
Other head-to-heads among second hand marketplaces
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