Brandwave

Optimizely vs Semrush:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Semrush had more branded searches than Optimizely among content marketing platforms worldwide. Semrush had about 673,000 branded searches, while Optimizely had 248,000. Semrush made up 68.9% of all content marketing platform searches we track, and Optimizely accounted for 25.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about content marketing platforms, Semrush appeared in three of the five answers and Optimizely in two. Semrush was mentioned before Optimizely in three out of four answers.

Among content marketing platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Semrush, about 3 searches for every 1 for Optimizely

Semrush 673K searchesOptimizely 248K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Semrush, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Optimizely in 2

Semrush in 3 of 5Optimizely in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Semrush, named ahead of Optimizely in 3 of 4 answers

Semrush first in 3Optimizely first in 1

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Top content marketing platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Semrush was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Optimizely was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Semrush was listed before Optimizely in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Semrush1st
  2. CoSchedule2nd
  3. Optimizely3rd
  4. StoryChief4th
  5. Contently5th
  6. Skyword–
  7. Uberflip–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • CoSchedule4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Semrush3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • StoryChief3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Optimizely2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Contently2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Skyword0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Uberflip0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about content marketing platforms

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 20, 2026.

Is Optimizely or Semrush more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Optimizely and Semrush by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven content marketing platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Optimizely and Semrush among content marketing platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthSemrushOptimizelySkywordContentlyCoScheduleStoryChiefUberflip
Oct 202573.1%22%3%1.1%0.48%0.28%0.09%
Nov 202574.1%22.3%2.1%0.89%0.4%0.18%0.08%
Dec 202570.1%25.7%2.4%1%0.46%0.18%0.09%
Jan 202665.9%29.6%2.7%0.97%0.43%0.2%0.09%
Feb 202669.9%25.7%2.6%1%0.46%0.2%0.09%
Mar 202673.7%22.1%2.6%0.89%0.39%0.22%0.08%
Apr 202674.1%22.3%2.1%0.89%0.32%0.18%0.06%
May 202670.1%25.7%2.5%1%0.38%0.18%0.08%
Jun 202670.7%26%1.6%1%0.38%0.17%0.08%
Jul 202670.6%25.9%2%0.85%0.38%0.17%0.08%
Aug 202669%25.4%4.3%0.83%0.3%0.14%0.07%
Sep 202668.9%25.4%4.3%0.83%0.37%0.14%0.06%

How has the Optimizely and Semrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for content marketing platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Semrush’s share of searches among content marketing platforms worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 70.7% to 68.9% in September 2026.

  2. Optimizely’s share of searches among content marketing platforms worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 26% to 25.4% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Optimizely’s and Semrush’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.

Optimizely

3 branded search terms

  • optimizely
  • optimizely cms
  • optimizely content marketing

Semrush

1 branded search term

  • semrush

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among content marketing platforms

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