Viral Loops vs Yotpo:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Yotpo had more branded searches than Viral Loops among referral programme platforms worldwide. Yotpo had about 18,100 branded searches, while Viral Loops had 1,900. Yotpo made up 51% of all referral programme platform searches we track, and Viral Loops accounted for 5.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about referral programme platforms, Viral Loops appeared in three of the five answers and Yotpo in none.
Who do people search for more?
Yotpo, about 10 searches for every 1 for Viral Loops
Who does AI mention more?
Viral Loops, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Yotpo in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Viral Loops, the only one of the two named
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Top referral programme platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Viral Loops was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Yotpo did not appear in any of the five answers.
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.
ReferralCandy5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Referral Rock5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Viral Loops3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Rewardful2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Friendbuy2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Referral Factory2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Talkable1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Yotpo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Ambassador0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Smile.io0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about referral programme platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which referral programme platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best referral programme platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best referral programme platform for customer referrals?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“referral program software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“customer referral software”
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 21, 2026.
Is Viral Loops or Yotpo more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Viral Loops and Yotpo by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten referral programme platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Yotpo, Viral Loops. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Yotpo | Rewardful | Ambassador | Talkable | Viral Loops | ReferralCandy | Friendbuy | Referral Rock | Smile.io | Referral Factory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 54.5% | 8.9% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 2% | 3.8% | 2.2% | 3.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.7% | 12.2% | 6.5% | 4.3% | 9.9% | 5.5% | 2.3% | 3.6% | 2.6% | 3.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 52.4% | 12.9% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 6.8% | 5.8% | 2.4% | 3.1% | 2.3% | 3.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.3% | 14.8% | 8% | 4.2% | 6.4% | 5.5% | 2.2% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 3.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 50.7% | 15.3% | 6.6% | 4.3% | 6.6% | 5.6% | 2.3% | 3% | 2.5% | 3% |
| Mar 2026 | 49.6% | 14.9% | 8% | 4.2% | 6.5% | 5.5% | 2.3% | 2.9% | 3.1% | 2.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.4% | 15.6% | 8.3% | 4.4% | 5.6% | 4.5% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2.5% | 3% |
| May 2026 | 52.2% | 15.8% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.6% | 3.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 54.1% | 13.4% | 8.8% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 4% | 3.2% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 54.5% | 13.4% | 8.8% | 3.9% | 4.7% | 4% | 3.2% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.1% | 15.1% | 10% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 3.7% | 3.6% | 2.8% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 51% | 12.6% | 10.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 3.8% | 3.7% | 2.8% | 2.7% | 2.5% |
How has the Viral Loops and Yotpo comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Yotpo was ahead of Viral Loops in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Viral Loops’ share of searches among referral programme platforms worldwide moved from 7.2% to 5.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.6K to 1.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Yotpo’s share of searches among referral programme platforms worldwide moved from 54.5% to 51%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
How did search popularity change for referral programme platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Yotpo gained share of searches among referral programme platforms worldwide, from 50.1% to 51%.
In September 2026, Viral Loops gained share of searches among referral programme platforms worldwide, from 4.4% to 5.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Viral Loops’ and Yotpo’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.
Viral Loops
1 branded search term
- viral loops
Yotpo
1 branded search term
- yotpo
Other head-to-heads among referral programme platforms
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