Brandwave

Squarespace vs Substack:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Substack had more branded searches than Squarespace among blog hosting platforms worldwide. Substack had about 2.3 million branded searches, while Squarespace had 1.5 million. Substack made up 22.7% of all blog hosting platform searches we track, and Squarespace accounted for 14.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about blog hosting platforms, Substack appeared in all five answers and Squarespace in three. Squarespace was mentioned before Substack in three out of five answers.

Among blog hosting platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Substack, about 53% more searches than Squarespace

Substack 2.3M searchesSquarespace 1.5M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Substack, mentioned in every answer we collected

Substack in 5 of 5Squarespace in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Squarespace, named ahead of Substack in 3 of 5 answers

Squarespace first in 3Substack first in 2

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Top blog hosting platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Substack appeared in all five answers. Squarespace was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Squarespace was listed before Substack in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. WordPress1st
  2. Wix2nd
  3. Ghost3rd
  4. Squarespace4th
  5. Substack5th
  6. Blogger6th
  7. Medium7th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Substack5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • WordPress5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Ghost5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Wix4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Blogger3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Squarespace3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Medium3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about blog hosting platforms

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Squarespace or Substack more popular in search?

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

Squarespace and Substack among blog hosting platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthWixSubstackBloggerSquarespaceWordPressMediumGhost
Oct 202530.7%11.2%24.3%13.3%19.9%0.54%0.18%
Nov 202534.2%12.5%22.3%12.1%18.2%0.5%0.18%
Dec 202530.4%16.5%19.6%13.1%19.6%0.53%0.2%
Jan 202632.6%17.9%17.3%14.2%17.3%0.57%0.18%
Feb 202633.7%15.2%17.9%14.7%17.9%0.49%0.18%
Mar 202631.7%17.2%16.8%16.8%16.8%0.46%0.19%
Apr 202632.6%17.7%17.4%14.2%17.4%0.47%0.2%
May 202633.7%18.3%17.9%14.7%14.7%0.54%0.2%
Jun 202629.4%19.8%19%15.6%15.6%0.58%0.18%
Jul 202630.1%20.3%19.6%16.1%13.1%0.67%0.17%
Aug 202629.7%24.5%19.3%12.9%12.9%0.59%0.17%
Sep 202627.8%22.7%22.1%14.8%12%0.46%0.16%

How has the Squarespace and Substack comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Substack took it in November 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Squarespace’s share of searches among blog hosting platforms worldwide moved from 13.3% to 14.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.5M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Substack’s share of searches among blog hosting platforms worldwide moved from 11.2% to 22.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.3M to 2.3M.

How did search popularity change for blog hosting platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Squarespace gained share of searches among blog hosting platforms worldwide, from 12.9% to 14.8%.

  2. In September 2026, Substack lost share of searches among blog hosting platforms worldwide, from 24.5% to 22.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

8 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Squarespace’s and Substack’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.

Squarespace

1 branded search term

  • squarespace

Substack

7 branded search terms

  • Substack
  • substack app
  • substack articles
  • substack live
  • substack newsletters
  • substack notes
  • substack podcast

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among blog hosting platforms

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