Brandwave

LinkedIn vs Student Job Search:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, LinkedIn had more branded searches than Student Job Search among job boards in New Zealand. LinkedIn had about 166,000 branded searches, while Student Job Search had 45,800. LinkedIn made up 20% of all job board searches we track, and Student Job Search accounted for 5.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about job boards, Student Job Search appeared in all five answers and LinkedIn in three. LinkedIn was mentioned before Student Job Search in three out of four answers.

Among job boards in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

LinkedIn, about 4 searches for every 1 for Student Job Search

LinkedIn 166K searchesStudent Job Search 45.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Student Job Search, mentioned in every answer we collected

Student Job Search in 5 of 5LinkedIn in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

LinkedIn, named ahead of Student Job Search in 3 of 4 answers

LinkedIn first in 3Student Job Search first in 1

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Top job boards in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Student Job Search appeared in all five answers. LinkedIn was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. LinkedIn was listed before Student Job Search in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Trade Me Jobs1st
  2. Indeed2nd
  3. SEEK3rd
  4. LinkedIn4th
  5. Student Job Search5th
  6. Jora6th
  7. Sidekicker–
  8. Backpacker Board–
  9. Do Good Jobs–
  10. MyJobSpace–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Trade Me Jobs5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Student Job Search5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SEEK4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Indeed4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • LinkedIn3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Jora1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sidekicker0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Backpacker Board0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Do Good Jobs0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • MyJobSpace0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about job boards

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 19, 2026.

Is LinkedIn or Student Job Search more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for LinkedIn and Student Job Search by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten job boards we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

LinkedIn and Student Job Search among job boards in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for LinkedIn, Student Job Search. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthSEEKLinkedInTrade Me JobsIndeedStudent Job SearchJoraSidekickerBackpacker BoardDo Good JobsMyJobSpace
Oct 202544.2%27.3%10.7%7.9%6.2%1.9%1.1%0.31%0.32%0.05%
Nov 202545.2%22.9%10.9%8%8.6%1.9%1.7%0.4%0.33%0.05%
Dec 202546.8%24.1%11.6%6.9%6.7%2%1.2%0.51%0.34%0.06%
Jan 202650.9%21.7%10.5%7.6%6%1.9%0.72%0.38%0.31%0.05%
Feb 202646.4%24.2%11.9%7.2%6.7%2.2%0.79%0.33%0.35%0.07%
Mar 202648.3%25.1%10.7%6.2%5.7%2.1%1.2%0.32%0.36%0.07%
Apr 202647.8%24.9%9.7%7.3%6%2.2%1.2%0.48%0.36%0.07%
May 202651.6%22%10.4%6.8%5.3%2.2%0.89%0.46%0.32%0.05%
Jun 202653.3%22.5%8.8%6.8%5.1%2%0.74%0.35%0.32%0.06%
Jul 202653.6%22.6%8.8%6.8%5.1%1.8%0.74%0.24%0.33%0.05%
Aug 202655.1%23.4%7.6%6.8%4.6%1.4%0.63%0.23%0.28%0.06%
Sep 202656.7%20%8.6%7%5.5%0.95%0.66%0.31%0.29%0.05%

How has the LinkedIn and Student Job Search comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • LinkedIn was ahead of Student Job Search in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, LinkedIn’s share of searches among job boards in New Zealand moved from 27.3% to 20%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 203K to 166K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Student Job Search’s share of searches among job boards in New Zealand moved from 6.2% to 5.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 46.2K to 45.8K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand job boards in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Student Job Search gained share of searches among job boards in New Zealand, from 4.6% to 5.5%.

  2. In September 2026, LinkedIn lost share of searches among job boards in New Zealand, from 23.4% to 20%.

How are branded searches counted?

18 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using LinkedIn’s and Student Job Search’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.

LinkedIn

11 branded search terms

  • linkedin
  • linkedin advertising
  • linkedin advertising management
  • linkedin business manager
  • linkedin campaign management
  • linkedin clm
  • linkedin company page
  • linkedin profile
  • linkedin recruiter
  • linkedin sales navigator
  • linkedin search

Student Job Search

7 branded search terms

  • SJS
  • sjs jobs
  • sjs student job search
  • Student Job Search
  • student job search dunedin
  • student job search hamilton
  • student job search tauranga

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among job boards

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