Brandwave

How popular isCostco?

In September 2026, people searched for Costco by name about 1.6 million times in the United States, a 7.6% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 1.6% of all United States pharmacy searches, placing Costco fourth out of five pharmacies. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pharmacies, Costco appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the five.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Costco is the fourth most searched of 5 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. CVS PharmacyShare of searches 52.3%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  2. WalgreensShare of searches 40.2%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  3. Walmart PharmacyShare of searches 5.4%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  4. CostcoShare of searches 1.6%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  5. Amazon PharmacyShare of searches 0.4%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
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Top pharmacies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Costco appeared in all three answers. Costco is the most recommended of the five.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Costco1st
  2. CVS Pharmacy2nd
  3. Walmart Pharmacy3rd
  4. Walgreens4th
  5. Amazon Pharmacy5th

Mentioned by AI

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

See every answer about pharmacies

3 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.

Which pharmacies compete with Costco?

Costco against pharmacies in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Walmart Pharmacy, Costco. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCVS PharmacyWalgreensWalmart PharmacyCostcoAmazon Pharmacy
Oct 202552.4%40.3%5.4%1.6%0.33%
Nov 202547.8%45.1%5%1.8%0.3%
Dec 202548.1%45.2%5%1.5%0.3%
Jan 202647.6%45%4.9%1.8%0.66%
Feb 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.49%
Mar 202653%40.8%4.5%1.3%0.4%
Apr 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
May 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.4%
Jun 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
Jul 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
Aug 202652.1%40.1%5.4%2%0.4%
Sep 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.4%

  1. 1.CVS Pharmacy

    52.3%

    Held 1st. 26.5M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.

  2. 2.Walgreens

    40.2%

    Held 2nd. 20.4M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  3. 3.Walmart Pharmacy

    5.4%

    Held 3rd. 2.7M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  4. 4.Costco

    1.6%

    Held 4th. 823K estimated branded searches, -17.7% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.

  5. 5.Amazon Pharmacy

    0.4%

    Held 5th. 201K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Costco and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Costco

21 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Costco changed in the United States over the last 12 months?

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Costco in the United States fell from 1.7M to 1.6M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Costco’s share of searches among pharmacies in the United States held steady at 1.6%.

How did search popularity change for United States pharmacies in September 2026?

1 change

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Amazon Pharmacy in the United States rose 21.8% over 12 measured months, from 165K to 201K in September 2026.

How are Costco’s branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Costco’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • costco contacts
  • costco optical
  • costco pharmacy
  • costco tire center
  • costco tires

Do you work for Costco? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Costco compete?

Costco is ranked in four competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Pharmacies4th of 51.6%Shown above
Tire retailers3rd of 68.9%Show ranking
Optical retail chains8th of 82.9%Show ranking
Contact lens retailers2nd of 619.3%Show ranking
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