BrightLocal vs Semrush Local:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, BrightLocal had more branded searches than Semrush Local among local SEO platforms in New Zealand. BrightLocal had about 50 branded searches, while Semrush Local had 0. BrightLocal made up 15.6% of all local SEO platform searches we track, and Semrush Local accounted for 0%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about local SEO platforms, BrightLocal appeared in four of the five answers and Semrush Local in three. BrightLocal was mentioned before Semrush Local in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
BrightLocal, the only one of the two with measured searches
Who does AI mention more?
BrightLocal, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Semrush Local in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
BrightLocal, named ahead of Semrush Local in 3 of 4 answers
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Top local SEO platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, BrightLocal was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Semrush Local was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. BrightLocal was listed before Semrush Local in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- BrightLocal1st
Whitespark2nd
Semrush Local3rd
Local Falcon4th
Localo5th
Yext6th
Local Viking7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Whitespark4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- BrightLocal4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Yext3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Semrush Local3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Local Falcon2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Localo1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Local Viking1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about local SEO platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which local SEO platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best local SEO platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best local SEO platform in New Zealand for local listings?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best local seo software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“citation management tool”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is BrightLocal or Semrush Local more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for BrightLocal and Semrush Local by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven local SEO platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for BrightLocal, Semrush Local. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Whitespark | Localo | BrightLocal | Local Falcon | Local Viking | Yext | Semrush Local |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 7.1% | 39.3% | 25% | 10.7% | 3.6% | 10.7% | 3.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 17.4% | 39.1% | 21.7% | 8.7% | 0% | 8.7% | 4.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 7.4% | 40.7% | 25.9% | 11.1% | 3.7% | 7.4% | 3.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 5.7% | 48.6% | 20% | 8.6% | 2.9% | 11.4% | 2.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 12.9% | 29% | 29% | 12.9% | 3.2% | 9.7% | 3.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 9.1% | 33.3% | 27.3% | 12.1% | 3% | 12.1% | 3% |
| May 2026 | 10% | 36.7% | 23.3% | 16.7% | 3.3% | 6.7% | 3.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 9.7% | 29% | 35.5% | 9.7% | 0% | 12.9% | 3.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 7.4% | 33.3% | 25.9% | 18.5% | 3.7% | 7.4% | 3.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 13.3% | 23.3% | 23.3% | 20% | 3.3% | 13.3% | 3.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.8% | 22% | 26.8% | 9.8% | 2.4% | 9.8% | 2.4% |
| Oct 2026 | 43.8% | 21.9% | 15.6% | 12.5% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 0% |
How has branded search for BrightLocal and Semrush Local changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- BrightLocal was ahead of Semrush Local in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, BrightLocal’s share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand moved from 25% to 15.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 70 to 50.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Semrush Local’s share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand moved from 3.6% to 0%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10 to 0.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand local SEO platforms in October 2026?
3 changes
In October 2026, Whitespark overtook BrightLocal to become the leader among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, with 43.8% of the searches.
In October 2026, BrightLocal lost share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, from 26.8% to 15.6%.
In October 2026, Semrush Local lost share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, from 2.4% to 0%.
How are BrightLocal’s and Semrush Local’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BrightLocal’s and Semrush Local’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.
BrightLocal
1 branded search term
- brightlocal
Semrush Local
1 branded search term
- semrush local
Other head-to-heads among local SEO platforms
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