Buffer vs Rival IQ:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Buffer had more branded searches than Rival IQ among social media analytics platforms in New Zealand. Buffer had about 1,600 branded searches, while Rival IQ had 110. Buffer made up 42.4% of all social media analytics platform searches we track, and Rival IQ accounted for 2.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social media analytics platforms, Buffer appeared in two of the five answers and Rival IQ in none.
Who do people search for more?
Buffer, about 15 searches for every 1 for Rival IQ
Who does AI mention more?
Buffer, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Rival IQ in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Buffer, the only one of the two named
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Top social media analytics platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Buffer was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Rival IQ did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Metricool1st
Sprout Social2nd
Hootsuite3rd
Agorapulse4th- Buffer5th
Iconosquare6th
Rival IQ–
SocialPilot–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Metricool4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Hootsuite4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Sprout Social4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Buffer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Agorapulse2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Iconosquare1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Rival IQ0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- SocialPilot0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about social media analytics platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which social media analytics platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best social media analytics platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best social media analytics platform in New Zealand for a marketing team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“social media reporting tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“social media dashboard”
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 Buffer or Rival IQ more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Buffer and Rival IQ by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight social media analytics platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Buffer, Rival IQ. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Buffer | Metricool | Hootsuite | Sprout Social | Rival IQ | SocialPilot | Agorapulse | Iconosquare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.7% | 23.5% | 15.7% | 12.8% | 0.8% | 2.1% | 1.9% | 0.53% |
| Nov 2025 | 48.6% | 22.5% | 15.1% | 10% | 0.26% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.77% |
| Dec 2025 | 39.2% | 28.2% | 15.3% | 12.5% | 0.39% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 0.39% |
| Jan 2026 | 40.1% | 27.2% | 18.2% | 9.9% | 0.31% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 0.62% |
| Feb 2026 | 39.4% | 26.7% | 14.5% | 11.8% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.61% |
| Mar 2026 | 43% | 23.7% | 15.9% | 10.5% | 1.9% | 2.7% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 46.8% | 25.7% | 11.4% | 7.6% | 5% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 0.29% |
| May 2026 | 51.2% | 23.7% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.54% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.2% | 28.9% | 11.3% | 9.2% | 0.58% | 2% | 1.2% | 0.58% |
| Jul 2026 | 45.1% | 28.2% | 11% | 11% | 0.85% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.85% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.1% | 30.9% | 7.6% | 9.3% | 4% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.48% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.4% | 34.5% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.1% | 0.27% |
How has the Buffer and Rival IQ comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Buffer was ahead of Rival IQ in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buffer’s share of searches among social media analytics platforms in New Zealand moved from 42.7% to 42.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rival IQ’s share of searches among social media analytics platforms in New Zealand moved from 0.8% to 2.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 30 to 110.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand social media analytics platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Buffer lost share of searches among social media analytics platforms in New Zealand, from 45.1% to 42.4%.
In September 2026, Rival IQ lost share of searches among social media analytics platforms in New Zealand, from 4% to 2.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buffer’s and Rival IQ’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 social media analytics platforms
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