Brandwave

Ahrefs vs SE Ranking:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Ahrefs had more branded searches than SE Ranking among SEO tools in New Zealand. Ahrefs had about 900 branded searches, while SE Ranking had 260. Ahrefs made up 23.3% of all SEO tool searches we track, and SE Ranking accounted for 6.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about SEO tools, Ahrefs and SE Ranking each appeared in four of the five answers. Ahrefs was mentioned before SE Ranking in every answer that named either.

Among SEO tools in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Ahrefs, about 3 searches for every 1 for SE Ranking

Ahrefs 900 searchesSE Ranking 260 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.

Ahrefs in 4 of 5SE Ranking in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Ahrefs, named ahead of SE Ranking in 4 of 4 answers

Ahrefs first in 4SE Ranking never first

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Top SEO tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ahrefs and SE Ranking were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Ahrefs was listed before SE Ranking in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Semrush1st
  2. Ahrefs2nd
  3. Screaming Frog3rd
  4. SE Ranking4th
  5. Moz Pro5th
  6. Ubersuggest–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Semrush5 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
  • SE Ranking4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Screaming Frog3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Moz Pro1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ubersuggest0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about SEO tools

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.

Is Ahrefs or SE Ranking more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Ahrefs and SE Ranking by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six SEO tools we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Ahrefs and SE Ranking among SEO tools in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Ahrefs, SE Ranking. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthSemrushAhrefsScreaming FrogUbersuggestSE RankingMoz Pro
Oct 202545.4%28.2%7.2%12.7%5.5%0.85%
Nov 202551.8%19%8.6%13%6.8%0.78%
Dec 202551.7%22.1%8.1%12.2%5.2%0.74%
Jan 202653.5%23.5%7%10.4%4.4%1%
Feb 202651.4%25.4%7%9.7%5.2%1.2%
Mar 202653%20.6%7.3%12.1%5.3%1.6%
Apr 202651.1%22.3%8.2%12.2%5.2%0.99%
May 202649.4%23.9%7.7%11.2%6.1%1.6%
Jun 202649.9%21.3%9.6%12%6.2%0.96%
Jul 202655.2%23.2%7%8.3%5.5%0.78%
Aug 202650.2%24.9%8.3%9.8%6.3%0.49%
Sep 202652.2%23.3%8.5%8.5%6.7%0.78%

How has the Ahrefs and SE Ranking comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Ahrefs was ahead of SE Ranking in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ahrefs’ share of searches among SEO tools in New Zealand moved from 28.2% to 23.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.3K to 900.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SE Ranking’s share of searches among SEO tools in New Zealand moved from 5.5% to 6.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 260.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand SEO tools in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Ahrefs lost share of searches among SEO tools in New Zealand, from 24.9% to 23.3%.

How are branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ahrefs’ and SE Ranking’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.

Ahrefs

3 branded search terms

  • ahrefs
  • ahrefs backlink
  • ahrefs keyword research

SE Ranking

2 branded search terms

  • se ranking
  • seranking

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among SEO tools

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