TalkTalk vs Virgin Media:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Virgin Media had more branded searches than TalkTalk among broadband providers in the United Kingdom. Virgin Media had about 1.2 million branded searches, while TalkTalk had 301,000. Virgin Media made up 50.1% of all broadband provider searches we track, and TalkTalk accounted for 12.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about broadband providers, Virgin Media appeared in three of the five answers and TalkTalk in two. Virgin Media was mentioned before TalkTalk in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Virgin Media, about 4 searches for every 1 for TalkTalk
Who does AI mention more?
Virgin Media, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, TalkTalk in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Virgin Media, named ahead of TalkTalk in 3 of 3 answers
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Top broadband providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Virgin Media was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. TalkTalk was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Virgin Media was listed before TalkTalk in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Zen1st
EE2nd
Vodafone3rd
Plusnet4th- Virgin Media5th
Hyperoptic6th
Community Fibre7th
YouFibre8th
BT9th
TalkTalk10th- +1 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- EE5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Zen5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Plusnet4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Vodafone4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Virgin Media3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Hyperoptic3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- TalkTalk2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- BT2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Community Fibre2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Sky1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about broadband providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which broadband provider should I switch to in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best broadband providers in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best full fibre broadband provider in the UK for working from home?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“broadband deals”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best broadband provider”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Is TalkTalk or Virgin Media more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for TalkTalk and Virgin Media by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 broadband providers we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Virgin Media, TalkTalk. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Virgin Media | TalkTalk | EE | Hyperoptic | Sky | BT | Plusnet | Community Fibre | Vodafone | YouFibre | Zen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.2% | 12.3% | 5.5% | 3.7% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 6.7% | 2.5% | 0.91% |
| Nov 2025 | 47.9% | 14.4% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 54.6% | 13.5% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 4.9% | 4.1% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 0.99% |
| Jan 2026 | 48.6% | 14.7% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 51.3% | 12.7% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 5.7% | 4.6% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 53.5% | 13.1% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 50.5% | 12.5% | 5.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 3.7% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 52.3% | 10.6% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.5% | 10.4% | 7% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.2% | 10.5% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.8% | 10.4% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 50.1% | 12.4% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 1.4% |
How has the TalkTalk and Virgin Media comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Virgin Media was ahead of TalkTalk in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, TalkTalk’s share of searches among broadband providers in the United Kingdom moved from 12.3% to 12.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 301K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Virgin Media’s share of searches among broadband providers in the United Kingdom moved from 50.2% to 50.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.5M to 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom broadband providers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, TalkTalk gained share of searches among broadband providers in the United Kingdom, from 10.4% to 12.4%.
In September 2026, Virgin Media lost share of searches among broadband providers in the United Kingdom, from 51.8% to 50.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using TalkTalk’s and Virgin Media’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.
TalkTalk
1 branded search term
- talktalk
Virgin Media
1 branded search term
- virgin media
Other head-to-heads among broadband providers
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