Semrush Local vs Whitespark:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Whitespark had more branded searches than Semrush Local among local SEO platforms in New Zealand. Whitespark had about 140 branded searches, while Semrush Local had 0. Whitespark made up 43.8% 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, Whitespark appeared in four of the five answers and Semrush Local in three. Semrush Local and Whitespark were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Whitespark, the only one of the two with measured searches
Who does AI mention more?
Whitespark, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Semrush Local in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 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, Whitespark 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. Semrush Local 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.
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 Semrush Local or Whitespark more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Semrush Local 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.
Share of searches by month for Whitespark, 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 Semrush Local and Whitespark changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Whitespark was ahead of Semrush Local in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- 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.
- 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
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, Semrush Local lost share of searches among local SEO platforms in New Zealand, from 2.4% to 0%.
How are Semrush Local’s and Whitespark’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Semrush Local’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.
Semrush Local
1 branded search term
- semrush local
Whitespark
1 branded search term
- whitespark
Other head-to-heads among local SEO platforms
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