Brandwave

Local Falcon vs Whitespark:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, Whitespark had more branded searches than Local Falcon among local SEO platforms in New Zealand. Whitespark had about 140 branded searches, while Local Falcon had 40. Whitespark made up 43.8% of all local SEO platform searches we track, and Local Falcon accounted for 12.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about local SEO platforms, Whitespark appeared in four of the five answers and Local Falcon in two. Local Falcon and Whitespark were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.

Among local SEO platforms in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Whitespark, about 4 searches for every 1 for Local Falcon

Whitespark 140 searchesLocal Falcon 40 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Whitespark, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Local Falcon in 2

Whitespark in 4 of 5Local Falcon in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

Local Falcon first in 2Whitespark first in 2

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Top local SEO platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Whitespark was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Local Falcon was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Local Falcon and Whitespark were each listed first in two of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. BrightLocal1st
  2. Whitespark2nd
  3. Semrush Local3rd
  4. Local Falcon4th
  5. Localo5th
  6. Yext6th
  7. 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

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Local Falcon or Whitespark more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Local Falcon and Whitespark 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.

Local Falcon and Whitespark among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Whitespark, Local Falcon. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthWhitesparkLocaloBrightLocalLocal FalconLocal VikingYextSemrush Local
Nov 20257.1%39.3%25%10.7%3.6%10.7%3.6%
Dec 202517.4%39.1%21.7%8.7%0%8.7%4.3%
Jan 20267.4%40.7%25.9%11.1%3.7%7.4%3.7%
Feb 20265.7%48.6%20%8.6%2.9%11.4%2.9%
Mar 202612.9%29%29%12.9%3.2%9.7%3.2%
Apr 20269.1%33.3%27.3%12.1%3%12.1%3%
May 202610%36.7%23.3%16.7%3.3%6.7%3.3%
Jun 20269.7%29%35.5%9.7%0%12.9%3.2%
Jul 20267.4%33.3%25.9%18.5%3.7%7.4%3.7%
Aug 202613.3%23.3%23.3%20%3.3%13.3%3.3%
Sep 202626.8%22%26.8%9.8%2.4%9.8%2.4%
Oct 202643.8%21.9%15.6%12.5%3.1%3.1%0%

How has branded search for Local Falcon and Whitespark changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Whitespark took it in December 2025, Local Falcon took it in January 2026, Whitespark took it in September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Local Falcon’s share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand moved from 10.7% to 12.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 30 to 40.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Whitespark’s share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand moved from 7.1% to 43.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 20 to 140.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand local SEO platforms in October 2026?

2 changes
  1. In October 2026, Whitespark overtook BrightLocal to become the leader among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, with 43.8% of the searches.

  2. In October 2026, Local Falcon gained share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, from 9.8% to 12.5%.

How are Local Falcon’s and Whitespark’s branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Local Falcon’s and Whitespark’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.

Local Falcon

2 branded search terms

  • local falcon
  • localfalcon

Whitespark

1 branded search term

  • whitespark

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among local SEO platforms

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