How popular is99designs?
In October 2026, people searched for 99designs by name about 40 times in New Zealand, a 42.9% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 0.43% of all New Zealand freelance marketplace searches, placing 99designs fourth out of eight marketplaces. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freelance marketplaces, 99designs appeared in two of the five answers and was the seventh most recommended of the eight.
99designs is the fourth most searched of 8 competitors and the seventh most recommended in the AI answers we collected.
FiverrShare of searches 57.9%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
UpworkShare of searches 39.7%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
ToptalShare of searches 1.3%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
99designsShare of searches 0.43%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
DesignCrowdShare of searches 0.32%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
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Top freelance marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, 99designs was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. 99designs is the seventh most recommended of the eight.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Upwork1st
Fiverr2nd
Contra3rd
Zealancer4th
Toptal5th
Freelancer5th
99designs7th
DesignCrowd–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Upwork5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Fiverr4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Toptal2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
99designs2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Freelancer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Contra2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Zealancer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
DesignCrowd0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about freelance marketplaces
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which freelance marketplace should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best freelance marketplaces in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best freelance marketplace in New Zealand for a small business hiring contractors?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best freelance marketplace”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hire contractors online”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
How often do people search for 99designs compared with other New Zealand freelance marketplaces?
Share of searches by month for Fiverr, Upwork, 99designs. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fiverr | Upwork | Toptal | 99designs | DesignCrowd | Freelancer | Contra | Zealancer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 61.9% | 34.8% | 1.4% | 0.53% | 0.38% | 0.53% | 0.08% | 0.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 62.3% | 34.8% | 1.4% | 0.61% | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.08% | 0.15% |
| Jan 2026 | 57.6% | 39.2% | 1.5% | 0.35% | 0.49% | 0.63% | 0.07% | 0.21% |
| Feb 2026 | 62% | 35.6% | 1.1% | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.08% | 0.15% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.3% | 41.5% | 1.5% | 0.67% | 0.47% | 0.34% | 0.07% | 0.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.6% | 41% | 1.2% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.27% | 0.07% | 0.21% |
| May 2026 | 59.9% | 37.5% | 1.2% | 0.51% | 0.29% | 0.37% | 0.07% | 0.15% |
| Jun 2026 | 60.7% | 36.4% | 1.1% | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.07% | 0.07% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.3% | 40.9% | 1.2% | 0.42% | 0.42% | 0.59% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Aug 2026 | 56.4% | 40.6% | 1.5% | 0.59% | 0.42% | 0.25% | 0.08% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.4% | 40.2% | 1% | 0.52% | 0.43% | 0.17% | 0.09% | 0.17% |
| Oct 2026 | 57.9% | 39.7% | 1.3% | 0.43% | 0.32% | 0.21% | 0.11% | 0.11% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 57.9% | 5.4K | -18.1% | +0.5 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 39.7% | 3.7K | -20% | -0.6 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 1.3% | 120 | 0% | +0.2 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 0.43% | 40 | -33.3% | -0.1 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 0.32% | 30 | -40% | -0.1 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.21% | 20 | 0% | 0 points | |
| 7, moved from 8th to 7th | 0.11% | 10 | 0% | 0 pointsmoved from 8th to 7th | |
| 8, moved from 7th to 8th | 0.11% | 10 | -50% | -0.1 pointsmoved from 7th to 8th |
1.
Fiverr57.9%
Held 1st. 5.4K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.
2.
Upwork39.7%
Held 2nd. 3.7K estimated branded searches, -20% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.
3.
Toptal1.3%
Held 3rd. 120 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
0.43%
Held 4th. 40 estimated branded searches, -33.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
0.32%
Held 5th. 30 estimated branded searches, -40% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
0.21%
Held 6th. 20 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
7.
Contra0.11%
Moved from 8th to 7th. 10 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
0.11%
Moved from 7th to 8th. 10 estimated branded searches, -50% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between 99designs and its closest rivals
Every comparison with 99designs
7 comparisons
How has branded search demand for 99designs changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for 99designs in New Zealand fell from 70 to 40.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, 99designs’ share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand held steady, from 0.53% to 0.43%.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand freelance marketplaces in October 2026?
6 changes

In October 2026, Fiverr gained share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand, from 57.4% to 57.9%.

In October 2026, Upwork lost share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand, from 40.2% to 39.7%.

In October 2026, Contra rose from 8th to 7th among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand.

In October 2026, Zealancer fell from 7th to 8th among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Freelancer in New Zealand fell 71.4% over 12 measured months, from 70 to 20 in October 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for 99designs in New Zealand fell 42.9% over 12 measured months, from 70 to 40 in October 2026.
How are 99designs’ branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 99designs’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- 99designs
- 99designs freelance
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