Capital One vs Wells Fargo:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wells Fargo had more branded searches than Capital One among banks in the United States. Wells Fargo had about 11.1 million branded searches, while Capital One had 9.1 million. Wells Fargo made up 23.3% of all bank searches we track, and Capital One accounted for 19.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about banks, Capital One appeared in three of the five answers and Wells Fargo in one. Capital One was mentioned before Wells Fargo in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Wells Fargo, about 21% more searches than Capital One
Who does AI mention more?
Capital One, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Wells Fargo in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Capital One, named ahead of Wells Fargo in 2 of 3 answers
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Top banks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Capital One was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Wells Fargo was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Capital One was listed before Wells Fargo in two out of three answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Chase1st
Bank of America2nd- Capital One3rd
- Ally Bank4th
- Wells Fargo5th
Citi6th
U.S. Bank7th
PNC Bank–
Truist–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Bank of America4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Chase4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Capital One3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Ally Bank2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Wells Fargo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- U.S. Bank1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Citi1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- PNC Bank0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Truist0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about banks
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which bank should I use for checking in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best banks in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best big bank in the US for a checking account?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“checking account”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bank accounts”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Is Capital One or Wells Fargo more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Capital One and Wells Fargo by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine banks we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Wells Fargo, Capital One. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wells Fargo | Capital One | Bank of America | Chase | PNC Bank | U.S. Bank | Citi | Truist | Ally Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24% | 16.1% | 19.6% | 16.1% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 4% | 0.79% |
| Nov 2025 | 22.4% | 18.5% | 18.5% | 15.1% | 8% | 6.8% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.74% |
| Dec 2025 | 24.1% | 16.2% | 19.6% | 16.2% | 8.6% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 4% | 0.65% |
| Jan 2026 | 22.3% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 15% | 8.5% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 22.3% | 18.4% | 18.4% | 15% | 8.5% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.74% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.3% | 16.3% | 19.8% | 16.3% | 7.6% | 6% | 4.9% | 4% | 0.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.3% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 15% | 8.5% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.9% |
| May 2026 | 21.8% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 8.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 0.88% |
| Jun 2026 | 21.3% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 9.3% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 0.86% |
| Jul 2026 | 22.3% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 15% | 9.7% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.3% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 9.3% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 0.86% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.3% | 19.2% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 8.9% | 7% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 0.77% |
How has the Capital One and Wells Fargo comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wells Fargo was ahead of Capital One in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Capital One’s share of searches among banks in the United States moved from 16.1% to 19.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 9.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wells Fargo’s share of searches among banks in the United States moved from 24% to 23.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 13.6M to 11.1M.
How did search popularity change for United States banks in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Capital One overtook Bank of America to rank 2nd among banks in the United States, with 19.2% of the searches.
In September 2026, Wells Fargo gained share of searches among banks in the United States, from 21.3% to 23.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Capital One’s and Wells Fargo’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.
Capital One
1 branded search term
- capital one
Wells Fargo
1 branded search term
- wells fargo
Other head-to-heads among banks
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