Optimum vs Starlink:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Starlink had more branded searches than Optimum among internet providers in the United States. Starlink had about 1.2 million branded searches, while Optimum had 135,000. Starlink made up 28.1% of all internet provider searches we track, and Optimum accounted for 3.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about internet providers, Starlink appeared in three of the five answers and Optimum in none.
Who do people search for more?
Starlink, about 9 searches for every 1 for Optimum
Who does AI mention more?
Starlink, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Optimum in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Starlink, 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, Starlink was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. 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 Starlink more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Optimum and Starlink 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 Starlink, 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 Starlink comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Starlink 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, Starlink’s share of searches among internet providers in the United States moved from 20.3% to 28.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for United States internet providers in September 2026?
1 change
Starlink’s share of searches among internet providers in the United States has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 29% to 28.1% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Optimum’s and Starlink’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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