Brandwave

Powered by Search vs SmartBug Media:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, SmartBug Media had more branded searches than Powered by Search among marketing automation agencies worldwide. SmartBug Media had about 1,900 branded searches, while Powered by Search had 590. SmartBug Media made up 14.3% of all marketing automation agency searches we track, and Powered by Search accounted for 4.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about marketing automation agencies, Powered by Search and SmartBug Media each appeared in three of the five answers. SmartBug Media was mentioned before Powered by Search in two out of three answers.

Among marketing automation agencies worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

SmartBug Media, about 3 searches for every 1 for Powered by Search

SmartBug Media 1.9K searchesPowered by Search 590 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.

Powered by Search in 3 of 5SmartBug Media in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

SmartBug Media, named ahead of Powered by Search in 2 of 3 answers

SmartBug Media first in 2Powered by Search first in 1

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Top marketing automation agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Powered by Search and SmartBug Media were each mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. SmartBug Media was listed before Powered by Search in two out of three answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. SmartBug Media1st
  2. Aptitude 82nd
  3. Powered by Search3rd
  4. Perkuto4th
  5. RevPartners5th
  6. LeadMD6th
  7. RevEngine–
  8. Codezilla–
  9. Digital Pi–
  10. Etumos–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • SmartBug Media3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Aptitude 83 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Powered by Search3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • RevPartners2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Perkuto2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • LeadMD1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • RevEngine0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Codezilla0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Digital Pi0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Etumos0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about marketing automation agencies

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 Powered by Search or SmartBug Media more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Powered by Search and SmartBug Media by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten marketing automation agencies we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Powered by Search and SmartBug Media among marketing automation agencies worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for SmartBug Media, Powered by Search. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRevEngineCodezillaSmartBug MediaRevPartnersAptitude 8Powered by SearchDigital PiEtumosPerkutoLeadMD
Oct 202548.5%17.6%17.6%4.3%3.5%3.5%2.9%1%0.51%0.37%
Nov 202547.8%21%17.4%3.5%3.5%2.8%2.3%1%0.36%0.29%
Dec 202551.6%18.8%14.8%4.6%3%3%2.5%0.86%0.39%0.39%
Jan 202646.4%20.4%16.9%5.1%3.4%3.4%2.7%1.2%0.28%0.28%
Feb 202642.9%19%19%5.7%3.1%4.7%3.1%1.7%0.56%0.24%
Mar 202641.3%15%27.5%4.5%3%4.5%2.4%1.1%0.44%0.25%
Apr 202639.7%14.4%32.5%4.3%2.3%2.9%2.3%0.84%0.42%0.12%
May 202641.6%18.3%27.7%3.7%2.5%3%2%0.69%0.25%0.25%
Jun 202645.4%20%20%6.1%2.7%2.7%1.8%0.96%0.28%0.21%
Jul 202646.4%20.6%16.3%6.2%3.4%4.1%1.8%0.77%0.34%0.09%
Aug 202649.6%21.8%14.3%5.4%2.9%2.9%2%0.68%0.23%0.15%
Sep 202649.7%18.1%14.3%5.4%4.4%4.4%2.4%0.83%0.3%0.15%

How has the Powered by Search and SmartBug Media comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for marketing automation agencies worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Powered by Search gained share of searches among marketing automation agencies worldwide, from 2.9% to 4.4%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for SmartBug Media worldwide fell 20.8% over 12 measured months, from 2.4K to 1.9K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Powered by Search’s and SmartBug Media’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.

Powered by Search

1 branded search term

  • powered by search

SmartBug Media

1 branded search term

  • smartbug media

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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