Brandwave

Semrush vs Surfer SEO:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Surfer SEO had more branded searches than Semrush among AI SEO tools worldwide. Surfer SEO had about 22,200 branded searches, while Semrush had 1,170. Surfer SEO made up 69.7% of all AI SEO tool searches we track, and Semrush accounted for 3.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI SEO tools, both Semrush and Surfer SEO appeared in all five answers. Semrush was mentioned before Surfer SEO in three out of five answers.

Among AI SEO tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Surfer SEO, about 19 searches for every 1 for Semrush

Surfer SEO 22.2K searchesSemrush 1.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Semrush in 5 of 5Surfer SEO in 5 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Semrush, named ahead of Surfer SEO in 3 of 5 answers

Semrush first in 3Surfer SEO first in 2

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Top AI SEO tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Semrush and Surfer SEO showed up in all five answers. Semrush was listed before Surfer SEO in three of them.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Surfer SEO1st
  2. Semrush2nd

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Semrush5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Surfer SEO5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about AI SEO tools

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Semrush or Surfer SEO more popular in search?

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

Semrush and Surfer SEO among AI SEO tools worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthSurfer SEOSemrush
Nov 202570.3%4.7%
Dec 202573.4%3.4%
Jan 202672.9%3.3%
Feb 202672%5.7%
Mar 202674.8%3.8%
Apr 202673.2%3.7%
May 202668.8%4.6%
Jun 202667.6%5%
Jul 202669%4.8%
Aug 202667.4%4.2%
Sep 202669.7%3.7%
Oct 2026——

Semrush sells other things too, so only its searches that name this product count here, like “semrush ai”.

How has branded search for Semrush and Surfer SEO changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Surfer SEO was ahead of Semrush in every measured month of the 11 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Semrush’s share of searches among AI SEO tools worldwide moved from 4.7% to 3.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.7K to 1.2K.
  • Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Surfer SEO’s share of searches among AI SEO tools worldwide moved from 70.3% to 69.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 22.2K.

How did search popularity change for AI SEO tools worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Surfer SEO gained share of searches among AI SEO tools worldwide, from 67.4% to 69.7%.

  2. In September 2026, Semrush lost share of searches among AI SEO tools worldwide, from 4.2% to 3.7%.

How are Semrush’s and Surfer SEO’s branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Semrush’s and Surfer SEO’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

2 branded search terms

  • semrush ai
  • semrush ai seo

Surfer SEO

1 branded search term

  • surfer seo

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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