MSC Industrial Supply vs Steel Blue:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Steel Blue had more branded searches than MSC Industrial Supply among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide. Steel Blue had about 60,500 branded searches, while MSC Industrial Supply had 22,200. Steel Blue made up 3.9% of all PPE and safety gear supplier searches we track, and MSC Industrial Supply accounted for 1.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about PPE and safety gear suppliers, MSC Industrial Supply appeared in three of the four answers and Steel Blue in none.
Who do people search for more?
Steel Blue, about 3 searches for every 1 for MSC Industrial Supply
Who does AI mention more?
MSC Industrial Supply, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Steel Blue in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
MSC Industrial Supply, the only one of the two named
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Top PPE and safety gear suppliers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, MSC Industrial Supply was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Steel Blue did not appear in any of the four answers.
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.
- Grainger4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Fastenal3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- MSC Industrial Supply3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Steel Blue0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Total Safety0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
ProChoice0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about PPE and safety gear suppliers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which PPE supplier should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best PPE suppliers?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best PPE supplier for workplace safety gear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“safety gear suppliers”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“industrial safety gear”
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 MSC Industrial Supply or Steel Blue more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MSC Industrial Supply and Steel Blue by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six PPE and safety gear suppliers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Steel Blue, MSC Industrial Supply. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Grainger | Fastenal | Steel Blue | MSC Industrial Supply | Total Safety | ProChoice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 75.1% | 18.5% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.74% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.33% |
| Dec 2025 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Feb 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Mar 2026 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.22% |
| Apr 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| May 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
| Jun 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Jul 2026 | 78.1% | 15.8% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.63% | 0.19% |
| Aug 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
| Sep 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
How has the MSC Industrial Supply and Steel Blue comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Steel Blue was ahead of MSC Industrial Supply in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MSC Industrial Supply’s share of searches among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide moved from 1.7% to 1.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 22.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Steel Blue’s share of searches among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide moved from 3.7% to 3.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for MSC Industrial Supply worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 27.1K to 22.2K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MSC Industrial Supply’s and Steel Blue’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.
MSC Industrial Supply
1 branded search term
- msc industrial supply
Steel Blue
1 branded search term
- steelblue
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