How popular isWalmart?
In September 2026, people searched for Walmart by name about 219,000 times in the United States, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 5.4% of all United States optical retail chain searches, placing Walmart seventh out of eight chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about optical retail chains, Walmart appeared in all answers and was the fifth most recommended of the eight.
Walmart is the seventh most searched of 8 competitors and the fifth most recommended in AI answers.
LensCraftersShare of searches 26.8%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
America's Best Contacts & EyeglassesShare of searches 21.6%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Warby ParkerShare of searches 18%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
VisionworksShare of searches 12.1%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
WalmartShare of searches 5.4%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
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Top optical retail chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Walmart appeared in all three answers. Walmart is the fifth 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.
- America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Walmart3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Costco3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers- LensCrafters2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Warby Parker2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Pearle Vision1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Visionworks0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Eyemart Express0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about optical retail chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where should I get an eye exam and glasses in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best optical store chains in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which optical chain in the US has the cheapest glasses and eye exams?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“eye doctor near me”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“glasses near me”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Which optical retail chains compete with Walmart?
Share of searches by month for LensCrafters, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Warby Parker, Visionworks, Eyemart Express, Pearle Vision, Walmart, Costco. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | LensCrafters | America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses | Warby Parker | Visionworks | Eyemart Express | Pearle Vision | Walmart | Costco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.9% | 24.6% | 16.7% | 13.7% | 5% | 7.5% | 5% | 2.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 29% | 22.7% | 16% | 13.1% | 4.8% | 7.1% | 4.8% | 2.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 27.6% | 22.4% | 18.6% | 12.4% | 4.5% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 3.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 25.6% | 24.5% | 17.3% | 14.1% | 5.2% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 2.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 24.9% | 24.6% | 16.7% | 13.7% | 5% | 7.5% | 5% | 2.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 26% | 24.9% | 17.6% | 11.7% | 5.2% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 2.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.9% | 23.8% | 16.7% | 13.7% | 5% | 7.5% | 5% | 3.4% |
| May 2026 | 26.2% | 24.5% | 17.6% | 11.8% | 5.3% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 2.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 27.3% | 21.4% | 18.4% | 12.3% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 3% |
| Jul 2026 | 25.7% | 24% | 17.3% | 11.6% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 3.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 24.3% | 23.3% | 16.4% | 13.4% | 6% | 7.3% | 6% | 3.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.8% | 21.6% | 18% | 12.1% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 2.9% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 26.8% | 1M | 0% | +2.4 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 21.6% | 808K | -15.7% | -1.7 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 18% | 673K | 0% | +1.6 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 12.1% | 450K | -18.2% | -1.3 points | |
| 5, moved from 6th to 5th | 6.6% | 246K | 0% | +0.6 pointsmoved from 6th to 5th | |
| 6, moved from 5th to 6th | 6.6% | 246K | -18.3% | -0.7 pointsmoved from 5th to 6th | |
| 7, held 7th | 5.4% | 201K | -18.3% | -0.6 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 2.9% | 110K | -18.5% | -0.3 points |
26.8%
Held 1st. 1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +2.4 points.
Held 2nd. 808K estimated branded searches, -15.7% vs prior month. Share -1.7 points.
18%
Held 3rd. 673K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.6 points.
12.1%
Held 4th. 450K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1.3 points.
6.6%
Moved from 6th to 5th. 246K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
6.6%
Moved from 5th to 6th. 246K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.
7.
Walmart5.4%
Held 7th. 201K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.
8.
Costco2.9%
Held 8th. 110K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
Compare popularity between Walmart and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Walmart
11 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Walmart changed in the United States over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Walmart in the United States held steady at 219K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Walmart’s share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States peaked at 6% in August 2026 and was lowest at 4.2% in January 2026.
How did search popularity change for United States optical retail chains in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Eyemart Express overtook Pearle Vision to rank 5th among optical retail chains in the United States, with 6.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, LensCrafters gained share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 24.3% to 26.8%.
In September 2026, Warby Parker gained share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 16.4% to 18%.
In September 2026, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 23.3% to 21.6%.
In September 2026, Visionworks lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 13.4% to 12.1%.
In September 2026, Pearle Vision lost share of searches among optical retail chains in the United States, from 7.3% to 6.6%.
How are Walmart’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Walmart’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.
- walmart auto care
- walmart vision center
Who owns Walmart?
Walmart is owned by Walmart. Brandwave does not track any other brands owned by Walmart.
Do you work for Walmart? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Walmart compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical retail chains | 7th of 8 | 5.4% | Shown above |
| Oil change chains | 5th of 5 | 0.53% | Show ranking |
Is Walmart your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.