Brandwave

Empire9 vs Innovate Digital:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Innovate Digital had more branded searches than Empire9 among Christchurch digital marketing agencies in New Zealand. Innovate Digital had about 70 branded searches, while Empire9 had 50. Innovate Digital made up 11.5% of all Christchurch digital marketing agency searches we track, and Empire9 accounted for 8.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Christchurch digital marketing agencies, Innovate Digital appeared in two of the four answers and Empire9 in none.

Among Christchurch digital marketing agencies in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Innovate Digital, about 40% more searches than Empire9

Innovate Digital 70 searchesEmpire9 50 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Innovate Digital, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Empire9 in 0

Innovate Digital in 2 of 4Empire9 in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Innovate Digital, the only one of the two named

Innovate Digital first in 2Empire9 never named

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Top Christchurch digital marketing agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Innovate Digital was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Empire9 did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Digital Influence1st
  2. Melia Marketing2nd
  3. Innovate Digital3rd
  4. Traction Marketing–
  5. Empire9–
  6. First Page–
  7. Getmilk–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Digital Influence3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Innovate Digital2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Melia Marketing2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Traction Marketing0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Empire90 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • First Page0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Getmilk0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about Christchurch digital marketing agencies

4 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which digital marketing agency should I hire in Christchurch, New Zealand?”

    1. 1Digital Influence
    2. 2Melia Marketing
    3. 3Innovate Digital

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best digital marketing agencies in Christchurch, New Zealand?”

    1. 1Digital Influence
    2. 2Melia Marketing
    3. 3Innovate Digital

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best digital marketing agency in Christchurch, New Zealand for more online leads?”

    1. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “digital marketing agencies christchurch”

      Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

    2. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “seo agency christchurch”

      1. 1Digital Influence

    Not named in any answer:

    Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

    Is Empire9 or Innovate Digital more popular in search?

    This chart shows how often people search Google for Empire9 and Innovate Digital by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven Christchurch digital marketing agencies we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

    Empire9 and Innovate Digital among Christchurch digital marketing agencies in New Zealand, by month

    Share of searches by month for Innovate Digital, Empire9. The figures are in the table below the chart.

    View monthly share of searches table
    MonthDigital InfluenceTraction MarketingInnovate DigitalEmpire9Melia MarketingFirst PageGetmilk
    Oct 202533.3%13.7%13.7%13.7%21.6%2%2%
    Nov 202544.7%10.6%14.9%10.6%14.9%4.3%0%
    Dec 202532.1%17.9%14.3%10.7%17.9%3.6%3.6%
    Jan 202640.5%9.5%7.1%16.7%21.4%2.4%2.4%
    Feb 202634.7%18.4%18.4%8.2%18.4%2%0%
    Mar 202646.4%15.9%13%7.2%13%2.9%1.4%
    Apr 202650%13.5%9.6%9.6%13.5%1.9%1.9%
    May 202642.6%18%11.5%11.5%11.5%3.3%1.6%
    Jun 202630%24.3%20%10%12.9%1.4%1.4%
    Jul 202648.1%13%13%9.3%13%1.9%1.9%
    Aug 202653.3%15%15%8.3%6.7%1.7%0%
    Sep 202642.6%27.9%11.5%8.2%8.2%1.6%0%

    How has the Empire9 and Innovate Digital comparison changed over the last 12 months?

    3 findings

    How did search popularity change for New Zealand Christchurch digital marketing agencies in September 2026?

    3 changes

    1. In September 2026, Traction Marketing overtook Innovate Digital to rank 2nd among Christchurch digital marketing agencies in New Zealand, with 27.9% of the searches.

    2. In September 2026, Innovate Digital lost share of searches among Christchurch digital marketing agencies in New Zealand, from 15% to 11.5%.

    3. Empire9’s share of searches among Christchurch digital marketing agencies in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 10% to 8.2% in September 2026.

    How are branded searches counted?

    2 search terms

    Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Empire9’s and Innovate Digital’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.

    Empire9

    1 branded search term

    • empire9

    Innovate Digital

    1 branded search term

    • innovate digital

    How the Brand Demand Index is measured

    Other head-to-heads among Christchurch digital marketing agencies

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