Optimum vs Spectrum:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Spectrum had more branded searches than Optimum among internet providers in the United States. Spectrum had about 550,000 branded searches, while Optimum had 135,000. Spectrum made up 12.7% of all internet provider searches we track, and Optimum accounted for 3.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about internet providers, Spectrum appeared in all five answers and Optimum in none.
Who do people search for more?
Spectrum, about 4 searches for every 1 for Optimum
Who does AI mention more?
Spectrum, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Spectrum, the only one of the two named
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Top internet providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Spectrum appeared in all five answers. Optimum did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
AT&T Fiber1st
Verizon Fios2nd
Google Fiber3rd- Spectrum4th
T-Mobile Home Internet5th
Xfinity6th
Starlink7th
Frontier8th
Cox–
Optimum–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- AT&T Fiber5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Spectrum5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- T-Mobile Home Internet5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Verizon Fios5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Google Fiber4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Starlink3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Xfinity3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Frontier1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Cox0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Optimum0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about internet providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which internet provider should I choose in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best home internet providers in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best home internet provider in the US for working from home?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“internet providers”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best internet providers”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Is Optimum or Spectrum more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Optimum and Spectrum by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten internet providers we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Spectrum, Optimum. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Starlink | AT&T Fiber | Spectrum | T-Mobile Home Internet | Frontier | Verizon Fios | Xfinity | Google Fiber | Cox | Optimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 20.3% | 15.2% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 9.8% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 5% | 4.1% | 3.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 25.6% | 13.6% | 11.5% | 14.1% | 8.4% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 22.8% | 14% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 9.1% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.7% | 11.5% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 9.9% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 5% | 3.3% | 3.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 27.4% | 11.9% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 9.1% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 28.6% | 12.5% | 12.9% | 12.9% | 9.4% | 7% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 29.7% | 13% | 11% | 13.4% | 8.1% | 7.3% | 6% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 3.3% |
| May 2026 | 29.7% | 13% | 11% | 13.4% | 8.1% | 7.3% | 6% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 3.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 29% | 13.5% | 10.7% | 13.1% | 7.9% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 28.4% | 13.3% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 8% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 3.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 28.3% | 13.2% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 7.8% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 3.1% | 3.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 28.1% | 17.3% | 12.7% | 10.4% | 7.6% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% |
How has the Optimum and Spectrum comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Spectrum was ahead of Optimum in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Optimum’s share of searches among internet providers in the United States moved from 3.3% to 3.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spectrum’s share of searches among internet providers in the United States moved from 13.6% to 12.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 550K.
How did search popularity change for United States internet providers in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Optimum nor Spectrum moved beyond provider rounding among internet providers in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Optimum’s and Spectrum’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.
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