AI Index / SEO tools

Best SEO tools

What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about seo tools — measured weekly across 5 engines, published as open data.

Updated 2026-08-04 · 70 sampled answers · rolling 4-week window · methodology

Rankings are measured from sampled AI answers — never editorial, never paid. Orbator builds AI-visibility tooling; when Orbator itself appears in any category, it is measured by the same rules as everyone else.

Updated weekly70 samples5 enginesmethodology

Sample: 70 AI answers · Window: Jul 7, 2026Aug 4, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (40 answers)

What is the best seo tools?

Across 70 sampled AI answers from 5 engines, Ahrefs is recommended most often — appearing in 82.9% of recommendations, followed by Search Console (71.4%) and Semrush One (65.7%).

This is a measurement of share of voice across 5 AI engines — not an editorial pick. See the full ranking below.

#ProductShareTrendEngines
1
Ahrefs

ahrefs.com

Best for: AI recommends Ahrefs most when buyers ask best SEO tools for content marketers (100% of those answers)

82.9%

95% CI 72.489.9%

58 mentions · avg pos 4.7

first pick 8.6%

GROK 85.7%GEMINI 71.4%CHATGPT 85.7%CLAUDE 78.6%PERPLEXITY 95.2%
Claim
2
Search Console

search.google.com

Best for: AI recommends Search Console most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (83.3% of those answers)

71.4%

95% CI 59.980.7%

50 mentions · avg pos 6.6

first pick 20%

GROK 100%GEMINI 85.7%CHATGPT 85.7%CLAUDE 57.1%PERPLEXITY 52.4%
Claim
3
Semrush One

semrush.com

Best for: AI recommends Semrush One most when buyers ask best SEO software for small business website owners (100% of those answers)

65.7%

95% CI 5475.8%

46 mentions · avg pos 4.2

first pick 10.9%

GROK 85.7%GEMINI 47.6%CHATGPT 57.1%CLAUDE 57.1%PERPLEXITY 85.7%
Claim
4
SE Ranking

seranking.com

Best for: AI recommends SE Ranking most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (91.7% of those answers)

55.7%

95% CI 44.166.8%

39 mentions · avg pos 6.2

first pick 12.8%

GROK 71.4%GEMINI 71.4%CHATGPT 42.9%CLAUDE 42.9%PERPLEXITY 47.6%
Claim
5
Google Search Console

Best for: AI recommends Google Search Console most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (58.3% of those answers)

41.4%

95% CI 30.653.1%

29 mentions · avg pos 6.2

first pick 17.2%

GROK 85.7%CHATGPT 57.1%CLAUDE 57.1%PERPLEXITY 52.4%
Claim
6
Ubersuggest

ubersuggest.com

Best for: AI recommends Ubersuggest most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (75% of those answers)

40%

95% CI 29.351.7%

28 mentions · avg pos 8.3

first pick 7.1%

GROK 57.1%GEMINI 52.4%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 28.6%PERPLEXITY 33.3%
Claim
7
Mangools

mangools.com

Best for: AI recommends Mangools most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (75% of those answers)

37.1%

95% CI 26.848.9%

26 mentions · avg pos 8.2

first pick 0%

GROK 71.4%GEMINI 47.6%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 21.4%PERPLEXITY 28.6%
Claim
8
Screaming Frog

screamingfrog.co.uk

Best for: AI recommends Screaming Frog most when buyers ask which SEO tool is best for technical site audits (100% of those answers)

34.3%

95% CI 24.246%

24 mentions · avg pos 5

first pick 33.3%

GROK 28.6%GEMINI 38.1%CHATGPT 42.9%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 42.9%
Claim
9
Google Trends

trends.google.com

Best for: AI recommends Google Trends most when buyers ask how do I do keyword research without an expensive SEO subscription (91.7% of those answers)

28.6%

95% CI 19.340.1%

20 mentions · avg pos 8.2

first pick 10%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 23.8%CHATGPT 42.9%CLAUDE 28.6%PERPLEXITY 33.3%
Claim
10
KWFinder

kwfinder.com

Best for: AI recommends KWFinder most when buyers ask best SEO software for small business website owners (75% of those answers)

25.7%

95% CI 16.937%

18 mentions · avg pos 9.9

first pick 0%

GROK 42.9%GEMINI 52.4%CLAUDE 7.1%PERPLEXITY 14.3%
Claim
11
Answer the Public

answerthepublic.com

Best for: AI recommends Answer the Public most when buyers ask how do I do keyword research without an expensive SEO subscription (83.3% of those answers)

24.3%

95% CI 15.835.5%

17 mentions · avg pos 9.7

first pick 0%

GROK 57.1%GEMINI 38.1%CLAUDE 7.1%PERPLEXITY 19%
Claim
12
Google Keyword Planner

Best for: AI recommends Google Keyword Planner most when buyers ask how do I do keyword research without an expensive SEO subscription (66.7% of those answers)

20%

95% CI 12.330.8%

14 mentions · avg pos 6.4

first pick 14.3%

GROK 28.6%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 38.1%
Claim
13
Rank Tracker

ranktracker.com

Best for: AI recommends Rank Tracker most when buyers ask all-in-one SEO suites vs specialized rank tracking tools (83.3% of those answers)

20%

95% CI 12.330.8%

14 mentions · avg pos 9.8

first pick 0%

GROK 28.6%GEMINI 19%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 21.4%PERPLEXITY 19%
Claim
14
Keyword Tool

keywordtool.io

Best for: AI recommends Keyword Tool most when buyers ask how do I do keyword research without an expensive SEO subscription (58.3% of those answers)

17.1%

95% CI 10.127.6%

12 mentions · avg pos 9.8

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 23.8%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 7.1%PERPLEXITY 19%
Claim
15
Clearscope

clearscope.io

Best for: AI recommends Clearscope most when buyers ask best SEO tools for content marketers (91.7% of those answers)

15.7%

95% CI 926%

11 mentions · avg pos 5.2

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 14.3%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 14.3%
Claim
16
Google Ads

ads.google.com

Best for: AI recommends Google Ads most when buyers ask how do I do keyword research without an expensive SEO subscription (83.3% of those answers)

15.7%

95% CI 926%

11 mentions · avg pos 5.6

first pick 36.4%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 28.6%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 7.1%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
17
Sitebulb

Best for: AI recommends Sitebulb most when buyers ask which SEO tool is best for technical site audits (91.7% of those answers)

14.3%

95% CI 7.924.3%

10 mentions · avg pos 3.4

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 14.3%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 14.3%
Claim
18
SERPWatcher

Best for: AI recommends SERPWatcher most when buyers ask what should I use to find keywords and track my website rankings (50% of those answers)

14.3%

95% CI 7.924.3%

10 mentions · avg pos 7.3

first pick 0%

GROK 28.6%GEMINI 28.6%CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
19
AccuRanker

accuranker.com

Best for: AI recommends AccuRanker most when buyers ask what should I use to find keywords and track my website rankings (66.7% of those answers)

12.9%

95% CI 6.922.7%

9 mentions · avg pos 7.8

first pick 0%

GROK 28.6%GEMINI 19%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
20
Google Analytics

analytics.google.com

Best for: AI recommends Google Analytics most when buyers ask best SEO software for small business website owners (33.3% of those answers)

12.9%

95% CI 6.922.7%

9 mentions · avg pos 9.2

first pick 0%

GROK 57.1%GEMINI 9.5%CHATGPT 42.9%
Claim
21
KeySearch

keysearch.co

Best for: AI recommends KeySearch most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (58.3% of those answers)

12.9%

95% CI 6.922.7%

9 mentions · avg pos 9.6

first pick 0%

GROK 42.9%GEMINI 14.3%PERPLEXITY 14.3%
Claim
22
Moz Keyword Explorer

moz.com

Best for: AI recommends Moz Keyword Explorer most when buyers ask how do I do keyword research without an expensive SEO subscription (50% of those answers)

12.9%

95% CI 6.922.7%

9 mentions · avg pos 12.8

first pick 0%

GEMINI 9.5%CHATGPT 14.3%PERPLEXITY 28.6%
Claim
23
Serpstat

serpstat.com

Best for: AI recommends Serpstat most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (58.3% of those answers)

11.4%

95% CI 5.921%

8 mentions · avg pos 3.3

first pick 12.5%

GEMINI 9.5%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 14.3%
Claim
24
Yoast SEO

yoast.com

Best for: AI recommends Yoast SEO most when buyers ask best SEO software for small business website owners (50% of those answers)

10%

95% CI 4.919.2%

7 mentions · avg pos 6.9

first pick 0%

GEMINI 19%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
25
MarketMuse

marketmuse.com

Best for: AI recommends MarketMuse most when buyers ask best SEO tools for content marketers (50% of those answers)

10%

95% CI 4.919.2%

7 mentions · avg pos 7.8

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 9.5%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
26
Nightwatch

nightwatchapp.com

Best for: AI recommends Nightwatch most when buyers ask what should I use to find keywords and track my website rankings (33.3% of those answers)

10%

95% CI 4.919.2%

7 mentions · avg pos 9.3

first pick 0%

GROK 42.9%GEMINI 14.3%CLAUDE 7.1%
Claim
27
Zapier AI

zapier.com

Best for: AI recommends Zapier AI most when buyers ask what should I use to find keywords and track my website rankings (33.3% of those answers)

10%

95% CI 4.919.2%

7 mentions · avg pos 9.5

first pick 14.3%

GROK 14.3%CHATGPT 14.3%PERPLEXITY 23.8%
Claim
28
SpyFu

spyfu.com

10%

95% CI 4.919.2%

7 mentions · avg pos 16

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 14.3%CHATGPT 14.3%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
29
Keywords Everywhere

keywordseverywhere.com

Best for: AI recommends Keywords Everywhere most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (33.3% of those answers)

8.6%

95% CI 417.5%

6 mentions · avg pos 10.2

first pick 16.7%

GROK 28.6%GEMINI 9.5%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
30
Frase

frase.io

Best for: AI recommends Frase most when buyers ask best SEO tools for content marketers (33.3% of those answers)

7.1%

95% CI 3.115.7%

5 mentions · avg pos 7.5

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 9.5%CHATGPT 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
31
BrightLocal

brightlocal.com

7.1%

95% CI 3.115.7%

5 mentions · avg pos 9.6

first pick 0%

GEMINI 14.3%CLAUDE 7.1%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
32
SiteProfiler

Best for: AI recommends SiteProfiler most when buyers ask affordable alternatives to the big enterprise SEO platforms (33.3% of those answers)

5.7%

95% CI 2.213.8%

4 mentions · avg pos 5.8

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 14.3%
Claim
33
All in One SEO

aioseo.com

Best for: AI recommends All in One SEO most when buyers ask all-in-one SEO suites vs specialized rank tracking tools (50% of those answers)

5.7%

95% CI 2.213.8%

4 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
34
Dashword

dashword.io

Best for: AI recommends Dashword most when buyers ask best SEO tools for content marketers (33.3% of those answers)

5.7%

95% CI 2.213.8%

4 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GEMINI 9.5%CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
35
Lumar

Best for: AI recommends Lumar most when buyers ask which SEO tool is best for technical site audits (41.7% of those answers)

5.7%

95% CI 2.213.8%

4 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 9.5%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
36
Rankability

rankability.com

Best for: AI recommends Rankability most when buyers ask best SEO tools for content marketers (58.3% of those answers)

5.7%

95% CI 2.213.8%

4 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 14.3%
Claim
37
Seobility

5.7%

95% CI 2.213.8%

4 mentions · avg pos 12.3

first pick 0%

GEMINI 9.5%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
38
Keyword Surfer

Best for: AI recommends Keyword Surfer most when buyers ask how do I do keyword research without an expensive SEO subscription (41.7% of those answers)

5.7%

95% CI 2.213.8%

4 mentions · avg pos 13

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 4.8%CLAUDE 7.1%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
39
WordStream's Free Keyword Tool

wordstream.com

Best for: AI recommends WordStream's Free Keyword Tool most when buyers ask how do I do keyword research without an expensive SEO subscription (33.3% of those answers)

5.7%

95% CI 2.213.8%

4 mentions · avg pos 17

first pick 0%

GEMINI 9.5%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
40
LowFruits

lowfruits.io

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 4.7

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 7.1%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
41
LinkMiner

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 5

first pick 0%

GEMINI 14.3%
Claim
42
Rank Math

rankmath.com

Best for: AI recommends Rank Math most when buyers ask best SEO software for small business website owners (33.3% of those answers)

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 5.5

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 9.5%
Claim
43
Deepcrawl

deepcrawl.com

Best for: AI recommends Deepcrawl most when buyers ask which SEO tool is best for technical site audits (33.3% of those answers)

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 9.5%
Claim
44
SERPChecker

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 8

first pick 0%

GEMINI 14.3%
Claim
45
Wincher

wincher.com

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 8.7

first pick 0%

GROK 28.6%GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
46
Raven Tools

raventools.com

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 9

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
47
BuzzSumo

buzzsumo.com

Best for: AI recommends BuzzSumo most when buyers ask best SEO tools for content marketers (33.3% of those answers)

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 10.3

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%CHATGPT 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
48
Advanced Web Ranking

advancedwebranking.com

Best for: AI recommends Advanced Web Ranking most when buyers ask what should I use to find keywords and track my website rankings (33.3% of those answers)

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 11.7

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
49
Keyword.com

keyword.com

Best for: AI recommends Keyword.com most when buyers ask what should I use to find keywords and track my website rankings (50% of those answers)

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 12.3

first pick 0%

GEMINI 14.3%
Claim
50
Wordtracker

wordtracker.com

4.3%

95% CI 1.511.9%

3 mentions · avg pos 17

first pick 0%

GEMINI 14.3%
Claim
51
TechRadar

techradar.com

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 1

first pick 50%

CHATGPT 28.6%
Claim
52
Nightwatch's AI SEO Agent

nightwatch.io

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 4

first pick 0%

GROK 28.6%
Claim
53
STAT

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 8.5

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
54
SEO PowerSuite

link-assistant.com

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 9

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
55
SEO PowerSuite Rank Tracker

seopowersuite.com

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 9

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
56
Page Optimizer Pro

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 9.5

first pick 0%

GEMINI 9.5%
Claim
57
wpbeginner.com

wpbeginner.com

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 13

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
58
Yotpo

yotpo.com

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 15

first pick 0%

GROK 28.6%
Claim
59
Jasper

jasper.ai

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 17.5

first pick 0%

GEMINI 9.5%
Claim
60
Network Solutions

networksolutions.com

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions · avg pos 21

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
61
Siteimprove

siteimprove.com

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
62
Surfer SEO

2.9%

95% CI 0.89.8%

2 mentions

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 14.3%
Claim
63
TruSEO

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 1

first pick 100%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
64
GrowthBar

growthbarapp.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 4

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 7.1%
Claim
65
Hemingway

hemingwayapp.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 4

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
66
Search Atlas

seo.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 5

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%
Claim
67
Woo Marketplace

woocommerce.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 5

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
68
Netpeak Spider

netpeak.net

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
69
NeuronWriter

neuronwriter.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%
Claim
70
SEOmator

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 7

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
71
AnswerSocrates

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 12

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
72
Airops

airops.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 15

first pick 0%

GROK 14.3%
Claim
73
Grammarly

grammarly.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions · avg pos 19

first pick 0%

GEMINI 4.8%
Claim
74
GravityWrite

gravitywrite.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
75
Gumloop

gumloop.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
76
Mailchimp

mailchimp.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
77
Outranking.io

outranking.io

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 7.1%
Claim
78
Plerdy

plerdy.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
79
Profound

profound.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 7.1%
Claim
80
RankScale

rankscale.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

CLAUDE 7.1%
Claim
81
Software Advice

softwareadvice.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
82
Thrive Architect

thrivethemes.com

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
83
WordPress.org

wordpress.org

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
84
cPanel

cpanel.net

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim
85
eesel AI

eesel.ai

1.4%

95% CI 0.37.7%

1 mentions

first pick 0%

PERPLEXITY 4.8%
Claim

Reading the numbers: Share is a point estimate on 70 sampled answers, so each row also shows its 95% CI — the Wilson score interval around that share. When two products' intervals overlap, the gap between them isn't statistically meaningful at this sample size. First pick is the share of a product's recommending answers where it was named first, which separates “always mentioned” from “usually the top recommendation”. Full methodology.

Independence: Orbator customers are badged for disclosure. Customer status does not affect prompts, sampling, extraction, or ranking — see the methodology. Your product on this list? Claim it to see the prompts behind your rank and track it weekly.

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