Adobe Lightroom vs Imagen AI:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Adobe Lightroom had more branded searches than Imagen AI among photo culling software in New Zealand. Adobe Lightroom had about 870 branded searches, while Imagen AI had 400. Adobe Lightroom made up 57.6% of all photo culling software searches we track, and Imagen AI accounted for 26.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about photo culling software, Adobe Lightroom appeared in all five answers and Imagen AI in two. Adobe Lightroom was mentioned before Imagen AI in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Adobe Lightroom, about 2 searches for every 1 for Imagen AI
Who does AI mention more?
Adobe Lightroom, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Adobe Lightroom, named ahead of Imagen AI in 3 of 5 answers
Follow Adobe Lightroom vs Imagen AI 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
Top photo culling software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Adobe Lightroom appeared in all five answers. Imagen AI was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Adobe Lightroom was listed before Imagen AI in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Aftershoot1st
Narrative2nd
FilterPixel3rd
Photo Mechanic4th
Imagen AI5th- Adobe Lightroom6th
Evoto AI–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Adobe Lightroom5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Aftershoot5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Narrative5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Photo Mechanic4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- FilterPixel3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Imagen AI2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Evoto AI0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about photo culling software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which photo culling software should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best photo culling software brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best photo culling software in New Zealand for wedding photos?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“photo culling software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai photo culling”
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 Adobe Lightroom or Imagen AI more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Adobe Lightroom and Imagen AI by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven photo culling software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Adobe Lightroom, Imagen AI. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Adobe Lightroom | Imagen AI | Aftershoot | Photo Mechanic | Evoto AI | FilterPixel | Narrative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 51.1% | 31.9% | 7.4% | 5.9% | 2.1% | 0.53% | 1.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.8% | 30.1% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 1.8% | 0.61% | 1.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 53.7% | 29.9% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 2.4% | 0.61% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 53.9% | 29.3% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 3% | 0.6% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 51.4% | 26.8% | 6% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.55% | 7.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 52.2% | 29.3% | 6.8% | 5.4% | 2.4% | 0.49% | 3.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 49.4% | 28.5% | 8.1% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 0.58% | 4.1% |
| May 2026 | 50.6% | 28.5% | 8.1% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 0.58% | 2.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 49.1% | 34.3% | 6.3% | 4% | 2.3% | 1.1% | 2.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 50.7% | 33.6% | 4.8% | 7.5% | 1.4% | 0.68% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 53.4% | 30.4% | 5.6% | 6.8% | 1.9% | 0.62% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.6% | 26.5% | 6% | 6% | 2.6% | 0.66% | 0.66% |
How has the Adobe Lightroom and Imagen AI comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Adobe Lightroom was ahead of Imagen AI in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Adobe Lightroom’s share of searches among photo culling software in New Zealand moved from 51.1% to 57.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 960 to 870.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Imagen AI’s share of searches among photo culling software in New Zealand moved from 31.9% to 26.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 600 to 400.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand photo culling software in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Adobe Lightroom gained share of searches among photo culling software in New Zealand, from 53.4% to 57.6%.
In September 2026, Imagen AI lost share of searches among photo culling software in New Zealand, from 30.4% to 26.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Adobe Lightroom’s and Imagen AI’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.
Adobe Lightroom
4 branded search terms
- adobe lightroom
- adobe lightroom classic
- adobe lightroom downloader
- adobelightroom
Imagen AI
2 branded search terms
- imagen ai
- imagenai
Other head-to-heads among photo culling software
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.