BrightLocal vs Localo:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Localo had more branded searches than BrightLocal among local SEO platforms in New Zealand. Localo had about 70 branded searches, while BrightLocal had 50. Localo made up 21.9% of all local SEO platform searches we track, and BrightLocal accounted for 15.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about local SEO platforms, BrightLocal appeared in four of the five answers and Localo in one. BrightLocal was mentioned before Localo in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Localo, about 40% more searches than BrightLocal
Who does AI mention more?
BrightLocal, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Localo in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
BrightLocal, named ahead of Localo in every answer
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Top local SEO platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, BrightLocal was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Localo was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. BrightLocal was listed before Localo in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- BrightLocal1st
Whitespark2nd
Semrush Local3rd
Local Falcon4th- Localo5th
Yext6th
Local Viking7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Whitespark4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- BrightLocal4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Yext3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Semrush Local3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Local Falcon2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Localo1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Local Viking1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about local SEO platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which local SEO platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best local SEO platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best local SEO platform in New Zealand for local listings?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best local seo software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“citation management tool”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is BrightLocal or Localo more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for BrightLocal and Localo by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven local SEO platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Localo, BrightLocal. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Whitespark | Localo | BrightLocal | Local Falcon | Local Viking | Yext | Semrush Local |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 7.1% | 39.3% | 25% | 10.7% | 3.6% | 10.7% | 3.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 17.4% | 39.1% | 21.7% | 8.7% | 0% | 8.7% | 4.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 7.4% | 40.7% | 25.9% | 11.1% | 3.7% | 7.4% | 3.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 5.7% | 48.6% | 20% | 8.6% | 2.9% | 11.4% | 2.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 12.9% | 29% | 29% | 12.9% | 3.2% | 9.7% | 3.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 9.1% | 33.3% | 27.3% | 12.1% | 3% | 12.1% | 3% |
| May 2026 | 10% | 36.7% | 23.3% | 16.7% | 3.3% | 6.7% | 3.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 9.7% | 29% | 35.5% | 9.7% | 0% | 12.9% | 3.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 7.4% | 33.3% | 25.9% | 18.5% | 3.7% | 7.4% | 3.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 13.3% | 23.3% | 23.3% | 20% | 3.3% | 13.3% | 3.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.8% | 22% | 26.8% | 9.8% | 2.4% | 9.8% | 2.4% |
| Oct 2026 | 43.8% | 21.9% | 15.6% | 12.5% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 0% |
How has branded search for BrightLocal and Localo changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: BrightLocal took it in June 2026, Localo took it in July 2026, BrightLocal took it in September 2026, Localo took it in October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, BrightLocal’s share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand moved from 25% to 15.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 70 to 50.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Localo’s share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand moved from 39.3% to 21.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110 to 70.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand local SEO platforms in October 2026?
3 changes
In October 2026, Whitespark overtook BrightLocal to become the leader among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, with 43.8% of the searches.
In October 2026, BrightLocal lost share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, from 26.8% to 15.6%.
Localo’s share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 33.3% to 21.9% in October 2026.
How are BrightLocal’s and Localo’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BrightLocal’s and Localo’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.
BrightLocal
1 branded search term
- brightlocal
Localo
1 branded search term
- localo
Other head-to-heads among local SEO platforms
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