Semrush Writing Assistant vs Surfer SEO:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Surfer SEO had more branded searches than Semrush Writing Assistant among SEO content optimization platforms worldwide. Surfer SEO had about 22,200 branded searches, while Semrush Writing Assistant had 140. Surfer SEO made up 67% of all SEO content optimization platform searches we track, and Semrush Writing Assistant accounted for 0.42%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SEO content optimization platforms, both Semrush Writing Assistant and Surfer SEO appeared in all five answers. Surfer SEO was mentioned before Semrush Writing Assistant in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Surfer SEO, about 159 searches for every 1 for Semrush Writing Assistant
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Surfer SEO, named ahead of Semrush Writing Assistant in every answer
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Top SEO content optimization platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Semrush Writing Assistant and Surfer SEO showed up in all five answers. Surfer SEO was listed before Semrush Writing Assistant in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Semrush Writing Assistant5 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 SEO content optimization platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which SEO content optimization platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best SEO content optimization platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best SEO content optimization platform for content optimisation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“content optimization software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“seo content tool”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Semrush Writing Assistant or Surfer SEO more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Semrush Writing Assistant and Surfer SEO by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven SEO content optimization platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Surfer SEO, Semrush Writing Assistant. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Surfer SEO | Semrush Writing Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 65.9% | 0.34% |
| Dec 2025 | 69.4% | 0.36% |
| Jan 2026 | 70% | 0.24% |
| Feb 2026 | 69.2% | 0.36% |
| Mar 2026 | 71.9% | 0.57% |
| Apr 2026 | 71.1% | 0.56% |
| May 2026 | 66.7% | 0.28% |
| Jun 2026 | 65.8% | 0.34% |
| Jul 2026 | 67% | 0.27% |
| Aug 2026 | 63.2% | 0.91% |
| Sep 2026 | 67% | 0.42% |
| Oct 2026 | — | — |
How has branded search for Semrush Writing Assistant and Surfer SEO changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Surfer SEO was ahead of Semrush Writing Assistant in every measured month of the 11 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Semrush Writing Assistant’s share of searches among SEO content optimization platforms worldwide moved from 0.34% to 0.42%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 210 to 140.
- Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Surfer SEO’s share of searches among SEO content optimization platforms worldwide moved from 65.9% to 67%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 22.2K.
How did search popularity change for SEO content optimization platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Surfer SEO gained share of searches among SEO content optimization platforms worldwide, from 63.2% to 67%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Semrush Writing Assistant worldwide fell 33.3% over 11 measured months, from 210 to 140 in September 2026.
How are Semrush Writing Assistant’s and Surfer SEO’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Semrush Writing Assistant’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 Writing Assistant
1 branded search term
- semrush writing assistant
Surfer SEO
1 branded search term
- surfer seo
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