How popular isGlasses Direct?
In September 2026, people searched for Glasses Direct by name about 165,000 times in the United Kingdom, a 22.2% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 10.5% of all United Kingdom optician searches, placing Glasses Direct fourth out of eight brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about opticians, Glasses Direct appeared in three of the four answers and was the second most recommended of the eight.
Glasses Direct is the fourth most searched of 8 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.
SpecsaversShare of searches 52.2%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Vision ExpressShare of searches 15.6%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
BootsShare of searches 15.6%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Glasses DirectShare of searches 10.5%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
SelectSpecsShare of searches 3.1%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
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Top opticians in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Glasses Direct was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Glasses Direct is the second most recommended of the eight.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Specsavers4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Glasses Direct3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- SelectSpecs3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Vision Express2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Boots2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Cubitts2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Optical Express0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Bloobloom0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about opticians
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where should I buy glasses in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best opticians in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best place to buy prescription glasses online in the UK?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“opticians”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“glasses online”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Which opticians compete with Glasses Direct?
Share of searches by month for Specsavers, Vision Express, Boots, Glasses Direct, SelectSpecs. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Specsavers | Vision Express | Boots | Glasses Direct | SelectSpecs | Cubitts | Optical Express | Bloobloom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.9% | 15.9% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.64% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.9% | 15.9% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.64% |
| Dec 2025 | 52.9% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 8.6% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.78% |
| Jan 2026 | 53.4% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 8.8% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.65% |
| Feb 2026 | 50.4% | 18.5% | 15.1% | 10.1% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.74% |
| Mar 2026 | 55% | 16.6% | 13.5% | 9.1% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.67% |
| Apr 2026 | 50.3% | 18.4% | 15% | 10.1% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.74% |
| May 2026 | 50.4% | 18.5% | 15.1% | 10.1% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.74% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.4% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 10.5% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.63% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.3% | 15.4% | 15.3% | 10.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.62% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.9% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 9.8% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.72% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.2% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 10.5% | 3.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.63% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 52.2% | 823K | 0% | +3.3 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 15.6% | 247K | -18.3% | -2.3 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 15.6% | 246K | -18.3% | -2.3 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 10.5% | 165K | 0% | +0.7 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 3.1% | 49.5K | +22.2% | +0.7 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 1.1% | 18.1K | -18.5% | -0.2 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 1.1% | 18.1K | 0% | +0.1 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 0.63% | 9.9K | -18.2% | -0.1 points |
52.2%
Held 1st. 823K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +3.3 points.
15.6%
Held 2nd. 247K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -2.3 points.
3.
Boots15.6%
Held 3rd. 246K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -2.3 points.
10.5%
Held 4th. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
3.1%
Held 5th. 49.5K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
6.
Cubitts1.1%
Held 6th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
1.1%
Held 7th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
0.63%
Held 8th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Glasses Direct and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Glasses Direct
7 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Glasses Direct changed in the United Kingdom over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Glasses Direct in the United Kingdom rose from 135K to 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Glasses Direct’s share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom increased from 8.7% to 10.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Glasses Direct’s share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom peaked at 10.5% in June 2026 and was lowest at 8.6% in December 2025.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom opticians in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Specsavers gained share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom, from 48.9% to 52.2%.
In September 2026, SelectSpecs gained share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom, from 2.4% to 3.1%.
In September 2026, Glasses Direct gained share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom, from 9.8% to 10.5%.
In September 2026, Vision Express lost share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom, from 17.9% to 15.6%.
In September 2026, Boots lost share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom, from 17.9% to 15.6%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Cubitts in the United Kingdom fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 22.2K to 18.1K in September 2026.
How are Glasses Direct’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Glasses Direct’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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