Ahrefs vs Semrush:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Semrush had more branded searches than Ahrefs among SEO rank tracking platforms in New Zealand. Semrush had about 1,980 branded searches, while Ahrefs had 890. Semrush made up 37.4% of all SEO rank tracking platform searches we track, and Ahrefs accounted for 16.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SEO rank tracking platforms, Ahrefs appeared in four of the five answers and Semrush in two. Ahrefs and Semrush were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Semrush, about 2 searches for every 1 for Ahrefs
Who does AI mention more?
Ahrefs, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Semrush in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top SEO rank tracking platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ahrefs was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Semrush was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Ahrefs and Semrush 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.
SE Ranking1st- Ahrefs2nd
- Semrush3rd
AccuRanker4th
Nightwatch5th
Wincher6th
ProRankTracker–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- SE Ranking5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ahrefs4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- AccuRanker4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Semrush2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Wincher2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Nightwatch2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- ProRankTracker0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about SEO rank tracking platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which SEO rank tracking platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best SEO rank tracking platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best SEO rank tracking platform in New Zealand for keyword rankings?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best rank tracker”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“track google rankings”
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.
Is Ahrefs or Semrush more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ahrefs and Semrush by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven SEO rank tracking platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Semrush, Ahrefs. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Semrush | Wincher | Ahrefs | Nightwatch | SE Ranking | AccuRanker | ProRankTracker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 32.4% | 37.4% | 20.6% | 5% | 4.1% | 0.31% | 0.16% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.1% | 37.1% | 14.3% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 0.39% | 0% |
| Dec 2025 | 31.6% | 43.8% | 13.8% | 7.4% | 3.2% | 0.23% | 0% |
| Jan 2026 | 35.7% | 34.1% | 16.2% | 10.6% | 3.1% | 0.18% | 0.18% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.4% | 33.9% | 18% | 8.6% | 3.8% | 0.18% | 0.18% |
| Mar 2026 | 37.7% | 36.6% | 15.4% | 5.9% | 4% | 0.3% | 0.15% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.8% | 36.1% | 16.9% | 4.9% | 4% | 0.19% | 0.19% |
| May 2026 | 36.8% | 34.9% | 18.6% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.18% | 0% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.5% | 35.8% | 16.8% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 0.19% | 0% |
| Jul 2026 | 38.1% | 35.8% | 16.8% | 4.9% | 4% | 0.19% | 0.19% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.6% | 34.8% | 18.5% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.37% | 0.18% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.4% | 35.8% | 16.8% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 0.19% | 0% |
How has the Ahrefs and Semrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Semrush was ahead of Ahrefs in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ahrefs’ share of searches among SEO rank tracking platforms in New Zealand moved from 20.6% to 16.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.3K to 890.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Semrush’s share of searches among SEO rank tracking platforms in New Zealand moved from 32.4% to 37.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.1K to 2K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand SEO rank tracking platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Semrush gained share of searches among SEO rank tracking platforms in New Zealand, from 36.6% to 37.4%.
In September 2026, Ahrefs lost share of searches among SEO rank tracking platforms in New Zealand, from 18.5% to 16.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ahrefs’ and Semrush’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.
Other head-to-heads among SEO rank tracking platforms
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