Semrush Local vs Whitespark:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Whitespark had more branded searches than Semrush Local among local SEO platforms worldwide. Whitespark had about 8,170 branded searches, while Semrush Local had 590. Whitespark made up 10.7% of all local SEO platform searches we track, and Semrush Local accounted for 0.78%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about local SEO platforms, Semrush Local and Whitespark each appeared in four of the five answers. Semrush Local was mentioned before Whitespark in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Whitespark, about 14 searches for every 1 for Semrush Local
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Semrush Local, named ahead of Whitespark in 3 of 4 answers
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Top local SEO platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Semrush Local and Whitespark were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Semrush Local was listed before Whitespark in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
BrightLocal1st
Semrush Local2nd
Whitespark3rd
Local Falcon4th
Moz Local5th
Yext6th
Localo7th
Local Viking7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
BrightLocal4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Local Falcon4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Whitespark4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Semrush Local4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Moz Local3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Yext2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Localo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Local Viking1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about local SEO platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which local SEO platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best local SEO platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best local SEO platform for local businesses?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“local seo platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“citation management software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Semrush Local or Whitespark more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Semrush Local and Whitespark by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight local SEO platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Whitespark, Semrush Local. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Yext | BrightLocal | Local Falcon | Whitespark | Localo | Moz Local | Local Viking | Semrush Local |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46.7% | 31.8% | 9.5% | 6.3% | 0.63% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.83% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.4% | 38.2% | 11.4% | 7.5% | 0.73% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.66% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.7% | 37.5% | 13.2% | 7.4% | 0.6% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.65% |
| Jan 2026 | 34.5% | 35.8% | 15.7% | 8.5% | 0.69% | 2.4% | 1.7% | 0.75% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.3% | 38% | 12.8% | 7% | 1.1% | 4.6% | 1.6% | 0.61% |
| Mar 2026 | 31.6% | 40.1% | 13.9% | 7.8% | 1% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.69% |
| Apr 2026 | 34.6% | 35.7% | 15.2% | 8.6% | 0.89% | 3.1% | 1.3% | 0.75% |
| May 2026 | 34.7% | 35.8% | 15.3% | 7.1% | 1.3% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.76% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.1% | 31.7% | 16.7% | 7.7% | 1.3% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 0.83% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.7% | 30.5% | 19.1% | 7.5% | 1.6% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 0.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 33% | 33.6% | 17.6% | 9.9% | 1.6% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 35.6% | 29.7% | 19.2% | 10.7% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.95% | 0.78% |
How has the Semrush Local and Whitespark comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Whitespark was ahead of Semrush Local in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Semrush Local’s share of searches among local SEO platforms worldwide moved from 0.83% to 0.78%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 720 to 590.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Whitespark’s share of searches among local SEO platforms worldwide moved from 6.3% to 10.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.5K to 8.2K.
How did search popularity change for local SEO platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Whitespark gained share of searches among local SEO platforms worldwide, from 9.9% to 10.7%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Semrush Local worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 720 to 590 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Semrush Local’s and Whitespark’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.
Semrush Local
1 branded search term
- semrush local
Whitespark
2 branded search terms
- whitespark
- whitespark local seo
Other head-to-heads among local SEO platforms

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