Glasses Direct vs Spex4Less:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Glasses Direct had more branded searches than Spex4Less among opticians in the United Kingdom. Glasses Direct had about 165,000 branded searches, while Spex4Less had 3,600. Glasses Direct made up 10.3% of all optician searches we track, and Spex4Less accounted for 0.22%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about opticians, Glasses Direct appeared in three of the four answers and Spex4Less in none.
Who do people search for more?
Glasses Direct, about 46 searches for every 1 for Spex4Less
Who does AI mention more?
Glasses Direct, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Spex4Less in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Glasses Direct, the only one of the two named
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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. Spex4Less did not appear in any of the four answers.
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
Ace & Tate1 of 4Named in 1 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
Spex4Less0 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.
Is Glasses Direct or Spex4Less more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Glasses Direct and Spex4Less by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 optician brands we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Glasses Direct, Spex4Less. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Specsavers | Vision Express | Boots | Glasses Direct | SelectSpecs | Ace & Tate | Cubitts | Optical Express | Bloobloom | Spex4Less | SmartBuyGlasses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 51.8% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.62% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Nov 2025 | 52% | 15.6% | 15.5% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.62% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Dec 2025 | 51.8% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.76% | 0.28% | 0.22% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.4% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 8.6% | 2.6% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.63% | 0.35% | 0.19% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.5% | 18.2% | 14.8% | 9.9% | 2.4% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.73% | 0.32% | 0.22% |
| Mar 2026 | 53.9% | 16.3% | 13.3% | 8.9% | 2.7% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.65% | 0.36% | 0.24% |
| Apr 2026 | 49.2% | 18% | 14.7% | 9.9% | 2.4% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.72% | 0.32% | 0.26% |
| May 2026 | 49.5% | 18.1% | 14.8% | 9.9% | 2.4% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.73% | 0.32% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.4% | 15.4% | 15.4% | 10.3% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.62% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| Jul 2026 | 50.4% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 10.1% | 4.5% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.61% | 0.33% | 0.22% |
| Aug 2026 | 48% | 17.6% | 17.6% | 9.6% | 2.4% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.71% | 0.32% | 0.21% |
| Sep 2026 | 51.3% | 15.4% | 15.3% | 10.3% | 3.1% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.62% | 0.22% | 0.18% |
How has the Glasses Direct and Spex4Less comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Glasses Direct was ahead of Spex4Less in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Glasses Direct’s share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom moved from 8.5% to 10.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spex4Less’ share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom moved from 0.34% to 0.22%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.4K to 3.6K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom opticians in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Glasses Direct gained share of searches among opticians in the United Kingdom, from 9.6% to 10.3%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Spex4Less in the United Kingdom fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 5.4K to 3.6K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Glasses Direct’s and Spex4Less’ 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.
Glasses Direct
1 branded search term
- glasses direct
Spex4Less
1 branded search term
- spex4less
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