Brandwave

UPS vs USPS:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, UPS and USPS were level in searches among courier services worldwide, with an estimated 9.1M branded searches each, at 23.4% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about courier services, both UPS and USPS appeared in all four answers. UPS and USPS were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.

Among courier services worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

UPS and USPS are searched for about as often as each other.

UPS 9.1M searchesUSPS 9.1M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

UPS in 4 of 4USPS in 4 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

UPS first in 2USPS first in 2

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Top courier services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, both UPS and USPS showed up in all four answers. UPS and USPS were each listed first in two of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. UPS1st
  2. USPS2nd
  3. FedEx3rd
  4. DHL4th
  5. Hermès–
  6. Evri–
  7. Yodel–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • UPS4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • USPS4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • FedEx4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • DHL3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Hermès0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Evri0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Yodel0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about courier services

4 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which courier service should I use?”

    1. 1USPS
    2. 2UPS
    3. 3FedEx
    4. 4DHL

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best courier services?”

    1. 1UPS
    2. 2FedEx
    3. 3USPS
    4. 4DHL

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best courier service for sending parcels?”

    1. 1USPS
    2. 2UPS
    3. 3FedEx

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “courier services”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “international courier services”

    1. 1DHL
    2. 2FedEx
    3. 3UPS
    4. 4USPS

Not named in any answer:

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

Is UPS or USPS more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for UPS and USPS by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven courier services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

UPS and USPS among courier services worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthDHLUPSUSPSFedExHermèsEvriYodel
Oct 202523.4%23.4%23.4%19.3%10.5%<0.01%0.02%
Nov 202524.4%24.4%20.1%20.1%11%<0.01%0.02%
Dec 202524.5%20%24.5%20%11%<0.01%0.02%
Jan 202623.4%23.4%23.4%19.3%10.5%<0.01%0.01%
Feb 202623.4%23.4%23.4%19.2%10.5%<0.01%0.01%
Mar 202624.4%20.1%24.4%20.1%11%<0.01%0.01%
Apr 202622.9%22.9%22.9%18.7%12.5%<0.01%0.02%
May 202622.9%22.9%22.9%18.7%12.5%<0.01%0.02%
Jun 202622.9%22.9%22.9%18.7%12.5%<0.01%0.01%
Jul 202622.9%22.9%22.9%18.7%12.5%<0.01%<0.01%
Aug 202622.9%22.9%22.9%18.7%12.5%<0.01%<0.01%
Sep 202623.4%23.4%23.4%19.2%10.5%<0.01%<0.01%

How has the UPS and USPS comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: USPS took it in December 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, UPS’s share of searches among courier services worldwide held steady at 23.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.1M to 9.1M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, USPS’s share of searches among courier services worldwide held steady at 23.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.1M to 9.1M.

How did search popularity change for courier services worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, UPS gained share of searches among courier services worldwide, from 22.9% to 23.4%.

  2. In September 2026, USPS gained share of searches among courier services worldwide, from 22.9% to 23.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using UPS’s and USPS’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.

UPS

1 branded search term

  • ups

USPS

1 branded search term

  • usps

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among courier services

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