Brandwave

SE Ranking vs Semrush:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Semrush had more branded searches than SE Ranking among SEO tools in New Zealand. Semrush had about 2,020 branded searches, while SE Ranking had 260. Semrush made up 52.2% 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, Semrush appeared in all five answers and SE Ranking in four. Semrush was mentioned before SE Ranking in every answer.

Among SEO tools in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Semrush, about 8 searches for every 1 for SE Ranking

Semrush 2K searchesSE Ranking 260 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Semrush, mentioned in every answer we collected

Semrush in 5 of 5SE Ranking in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Semrush, named ahead of SE Ranking in every answer

Semrush first in 5SE Ranking never first

Follow SE Ranking vs Semrush and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top SEO tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Semrush appeared in all five answers. SE Ranking was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Semrush was listed before SE Ranking in every answer.

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 SE Ranking or Semrush more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for SE Ranking and Semrush 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.

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

Share of searches by month for Semrush, 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 SE Ranking and Semrush comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Semrush was ahead of SE Ranking in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • 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.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Semrush’s share of searches among SEO tools in New Zealand moved from 45.4% to 52.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.1K to 2K.

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

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Semrush gained share of searches among SEO tools in New Zealand, from 50.2% to 52.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

14 search terms

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

SE Ranking

2 branded search terms

  • se ranking
  • seranking

Semrush

12 branded search terms

  • ranking semrush
  • semrush
  • semrush keyword analysis
  • semrush keyword tool
  • semrush keywords
  • semrush reports
  • semrush seo
  • semrush seo audit
  • semrush seo tools
  • semrush site audit
  • sites like semrush
  • tool semrush

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among SEO tools

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free