Substack vs WordPress:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Substack had more branded searches than WordPress among blog hosting platforms worldwide. Substack had about 2.3 million branded searches, while WordPress had 1.2 million. Substack made up 22.7% of all blog hosting platform searches we track, and WordPress accounted for 12%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about blog hosting platforms, both Substack and WordPress appeared in all five answers. WordPress was mentioned before Substack in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Substack, about 88% more searches than WordPress
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
WordPress, named ahead of Substack in every answer
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Top blog hosting platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Substack and WordPress showed up in all five answers. WordPress was listed before Substack 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.
- 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 answersMedium3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about blog hosting platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which blog hosting platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best blog hosting platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best blog hosting platform for a simple blog?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best blog platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“blog hosting service”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Substack or WordPress more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Substack and WordPress 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.
Share of searches by month for Substack, WordPress. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wix | Substack | Blogger | Squarespace | WordPress | Medium | Ghost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 30.7% | 11.2% | 24.3% | 13.3% | 19.9% | 0.54% | 0.18% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.2% | 12.5% | 22.3% | 12.1% | 18.2% | 0.5% | 0.18% |
| Dec 2025 | 30.4% | 16.5% | 19.6% | 13.1% | 19.6% | 0.53% | 0.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.6% | 17.9% | 17.3% | 14.2% | 17.3% | 0.57% | 0.18% |
| Feb 2026 | 33.7% | 15.2% | 17.9% | 14.7% | 17.9% | 0.49% | 0.18% |
| Mar 2026 | 31.7% | 17.2% | 16.8% | 16.8% | 16.8% | 0.46% | 0.19% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.6% | 17.7% | 17.4% | 14.2% | 17.4% | 0.47% | 0.2% |
| May 2026 | 33.7% | 18.3% | 17.9% | 14.7% | 14.7% | 0.54% | 0.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 29.4% | 19.8% | 19% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 0.58% | 0.18% |
| Jul 2026 | 30.1% | 20.3% | 19.6% | 16.1% | 13.1% | 0.67% | 0.17% |
| Aug 2026 | 29.7% | 24.5% | 19.3% | 12.9% | 12.9% | 0.59% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 27.8% | 22.7% | 22.1% | 14.8% | 12% | 0.46% | 0.16% |
How has the Substack and WordPress comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Substack took it in January 2026, WordPress took it in February 2026, Substack took it in March 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WordPress’ share of searches among blog hosting platforms worldwide moved from 19.9% to 12%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2M to 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for blog hosting platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Substack lost share of searches among blog hosting platforms worldwide, from 24.5% to 22.7%.
In September 2026, WordPress lost share of searches among blog hosting platforms worldwide, from 12.9% to 12%.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Substack’s and WordPress’ 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.
Other head-to-heads among blog hosting platforms
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