Brandwave

NielsenIQ vs Verian:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, NielsenIQ had more branded searches than Verian among market research companies worldwide. NielsenIQ had about 228,000 branded searches, while Verian had 14,800. NielsenIQ made up 22.4% of all market research company searches we track, and Verian accounted for 1.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about market research companies, NielsenIQ appeared in three of the five answers and Verian in none.

Among market research companies worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

NielsenIQ, about 15 searches for every 1 for Verian

NielsenIQ 228K searchesVerian 14.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

NielsenIQ, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Verian in 0

NielsenIQ in 3 of 5Verian in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

NielsenIQ, the only one of the two named

NielsenIQ first in 3Verian never named

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Top market research companies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, NielsenIQ was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Verian did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Ipsos1st
  2. Kantar2nd
  3. Nielsen3rd
  4. NielsenIQ4th
  5. Forrester Research5th
  6. Circana6th
  7. YouGov7th
  8. Touchstone Research8th
  9. Mintel9th
  10. +3 more
  11. Verian–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Ipsos5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • NielsenIQ3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Kantar3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Forrester Research3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • YouGov2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Circana2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Nielsen2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • B2B International2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Touchstone Research2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Verian0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+3 more

See every answer about market research companies

5 answers

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 NielsenIQ or Verian more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for NielsenIQ and Verian by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 13 market research companies we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

NielsenIQ and Verian among market research companies worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for NielsenIQ, Verian. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthIpsosYouGovNielsenIQGfKKantarCircanaEuromonitorMintelVerianNielsenForrester ResearchB2B InternationalTouchstone Research
Oct 202525.8%21.1%19.1%9.4%11.6%2.8%2.8%4.2%1.3%1%0.57%0.08%0.03%
Nov 202519.7%24.1%22.3%10.8%10.8%2.7%3.2%3.2%1.2%1.4%0.43%0.09%0.03%
Dec 202522.1%22.1%24.6%10%10%3%2.4%3%1.1%1.1%0.48%0.08%0.02%
Jan 202619.8%24.2%26.4%8.9%8.9%2.7%2.7%3.3%1.2%1.5%0.43%0.09%0.03%
Feb 202621.5%21.5%24.4%9.7%9.7%2.9%2.9%4.3%1.1%1.3%0.58%0.09%0.04%
Mar 202622.8%22.8%21.2%10.2%10.2%3.1%3.1%3.8%1.4%0.92%0.5%0.08%0.04%
Apr 202627.4%22.4%20.8%8.2%10%2.5%2.5%3.7%1.1%0.9%0.4%0.07%0.04%
May 202624.2%24.2%22.5%7.3%10.8%2.7%2.2%3.3%1.2%1.2%0.35%0.07%0.03%
Jun 202630.4%20.3%23.1%6.1%9.2%2.7%2.2%2.7%1.2%1.5%0.36%0.07%0.02%
Jul 202621.8%26.7%24.7%6.6%9.8%2.9%2%2.4%1.1%1.6%0.39%0.08%0.03%
Aug 202626%21.3%24.1%7.8%9.6%2.9%2.3%2.3%1.3%1.9%0.38%0.08%0.03%
Sep 202624.1%24.1%22.4%8.9%8.9%3.2%2.7%2.7%1.5%1.2%0.35%0.07%0.03%

How has the NielsenIQ and Verian comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • NielsenIQ was ahead of Verian in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NielsenIQ’s share of searches among market research companies worldwide moved from 19.1% to 22.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 223K to 228K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Verian’s share of searches among market research companies worldwide moved from 1.3% to 1.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 14.8K.

How did search popularity change for market research companies worldwide in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, YouGov overtook NielsenIQ to rank 2nd among market research companies worldwide, with 24.1% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, NielsenIQ lost share of searches among market research companies worldwide, from 24.1% to 22.4%.

  3. In September 2026, Verian rose from 10th to 9th among market research companies worldwide.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using NielsenIQ’s and Verian’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.

NielsenIQ

2 branded search terms

  • nielseniq
  • niq

Verian

1 branded search term

  • verian

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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