Brandwave

How popular isFreelancer?

In October 2026, people searched for Freelancer by name about 20 times in New Zealand, a 71.4% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 0.21% of all New Zealand freelance marketplace searches, placing Freelancer sixth out of eight marketplaces. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freelance marketplaces, Freelancer appeared in two of the five answers and was the joint fifth most recommended of the eight.

Search and AI answers in October 2026

Freelancer is the sixth most searched of 8 competitors and the joint fifth most recommended in the AI answers we collected.

  1. FiverrShare of searches 57.9%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  2. UpworkShare of searches 39.7%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. ToptalShare of searches 1.3%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  4. 99designsShare of searches 0.43%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
  5. FreelancerShare of searches 0.21%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th

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Top freelance marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Freelancer was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Freelancer is the joint fifth most recommended of the eight.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Upwork1st
  2. Fiverr2nd
  3. Contra3rd
  4. Zealancer4th
  5. Toptal5th
  6. Freelancer5th
  7. 99designs7th
  8. 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

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 Freelancer compared with other New Zealand freelance marketplaces?

Freelancer against freelance marketplaces in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFiverrUpworkToptal99designsDesignCrowdFreelancerContraZealancer
Nov 202561.9%34.8%1.4%0.53%0.38%0.53%0.08%0.3%
Dec 202562.3%34.8%1.4%0.61%0.38%0.38%0.08%0.15%
Jan 202657.6%39.2%1.5%0.35%0.49%0.63%0.07%0.21%
Feb 202662%35.6%1.1%0.38%0.38%0.38%0.08%0.15%
Mar 202655.3%41.5%1.5%0.67%0.47%0.34%0.07%0.2%
Apr 202656.6%41%1.2%0.34%0.34%0.27%0.07%0.21%
May 202659.9%37.5%1.2%0.51%0.29%0.37%0.07%0.15%
Jun 202660.7%36.4%1.1%0.52%0.52%0.52%0.07%0.07%
Jul 202656.3%40.9%1.2%0.42%0.42%0.59%0.08%0.08%
Aug 202656.4%40.6%1.5%0.59%0.42%0.25%0.08%0.17%
Sep 202657.4%40.2%1%0.52%0.43%0.17%0.09%0.17%
Oct 202657.9%39.7%1.3%0.43%0.32%0.21%0.11%0.11%

  1. 1.Fiverr

    57.9%

    Held 1st. 5.4K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.

  2. 2.Upwork

    39.7%

    Held 2nd. 3.7K estimated branded searches, -20% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.

  3. 3.Toptal

    1.3%

    Held 3rd. 120 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.

  4. 4.99designs

    0.43%

    Held 4th. 40 estimated branded searches, -33.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  5. 5.DesignCrowd

    0.32%

    Held 5th. 30 estimated branded searches, -40% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  6. 6.Freelancer

    0.21%

    Held 6th. 20 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  7. 7.Contra

    0.11%

    Moved from 8th to 7th. 10 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  8. 8.Zealancer

    0.11%

    Moved from 7th to 8th. 10 estimated branded searches, -50% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

Compare popularity between Freelancer and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Freelancer

7 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Freelancer changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Freelancer in New Zealand fell from 70 to 20.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Freelancer fell from 5th to 6th among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand freelance marketplaces in October 2026?

6 changes

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

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

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

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

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

  6. 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 Freelancer’s branded searches counted?

1 search term

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Freelancer’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • freelancercom

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How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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