Brandwave

Perceptive vs Research First:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Perceptive had more branded searches than Research First among market research companies in New Zealand. Perceptive had about 60 branded searches, while Research First had 50. Perceptive made up 1.4% of all market research company searches we track, and Research First accounted for 1.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about market research companies, Perceptive appeared in two of the five answers and Research First in one. Perceptive was mentioned before Research First in two out of three answers that named either.

Among market research companies in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Perceptive, about 20% more searches than Research First

Perceptive 60 searchesResearch First 50 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Perceptive, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Research First in 1

Perceptive in 2 of 5Research First in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Perceptive, named ahead of Research First in 2 of 3 answers

Perceptive first in 2Research First first in 1

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Top market research companies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Perceptive was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Research First was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Perceptive was listed before Research First in two out of three answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Kantar1st
  2. Ipsos2nd
  3. NielsenIQ3rd
  4. Perceptive3rd
  5. Research First5th
  6. Verian–
  7. Talbot Mills–
  8. Nielsen–
  9. Horizon Research–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Kantar5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Ipsos2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • NielsenIQ2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Perceptive2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Research First1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Verian0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Talbot Mills0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Nielsen0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Horizon Research0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about market research companies

5 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which market research company should I hire in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Kantar
    2. 2Research First
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best market research companies in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Kantar
    2. 2Perceptive
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best market research company in New Zealand for customer insights?”

    1. 1Kantar
    2. 2Ipsos
    3. 3Perceptive
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “market research companies”

    1. 1Ipsos
    2. 2Kantar
    3. 3NielsenIQ
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best market research company”

    1. 1Kantar
    2. 2NielsenIQ

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 Perceptive or Research First more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Perceptive and Research First by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine market research companies we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Perceptive and Research First among market research companies in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Perceptive, Research First. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthIpsosNielsenIQKantarVerianTalbot MillsNielsenPerceptiveResearch FirstHorizon Research
Oct 202537.5%23.1%15.4%9.3%4.2%4.2%1.6%1.6%3.2%
Nov 202548.6%20.6%12.6%5.1%3.1%3.1%1.7%1.1%4%
Dec 202547.2%19.5%11%8.5%2.8%3.7%1.6%2%3.7%
Jan 202645.9%19.9%9.1%5.7%2%3%2%10.8%1.4%
Feb 202652.5%17.1%11.8%6.1%2.5%5.7%0.71%1.8%1.8%
Mar 202654.2%19%10.3%3.7%5%4.2%0.79%1.1%1.6%
Apr 202648.9%17%10.1%10.3%6.3%3.7%1.4%1.1%1.1%
May 202647%15.5%17.2%7.9%6%3.6%0.86%1.1%0.86%
Jun 202652.2%14.3%17.7%5.1%4.9%2.7%0.97%1.2%0.97%
Jul 202652.4%16.4%16.4%3.1%4.5%3.9%1.1%1.4%0.84%
Aug 202653.3%18%12.8%4.8%4.8%3%1.3%1.3%1%
Sep 202653.9%17%15.1%4.5%3.8%2.6%1.4%1.2%0.47%

How has the Perceptive and Research First comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Research First took it in December 2025, Perceptive took it in April 2026, Research First took it in May 2026, Perceptive took it in September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Perceptive’s share of searches among market research companies in New Zealand moved from 1.6% to 1.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 50 to 60.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Research First’s share of searches among market research companies in New Zealand moved from 1.6% to 1.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 50.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand market research companies in September 2026?

1 change
  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Perceptive in New Zealand rose 20% over 12 measured months, from 50 to 60 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Perceptive’s and Research First’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.

Perceptive

2 branded search terms

  • perceptive nz
  • perceptive research

Research First

1 branded search term

  • research first

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among market research companies

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