ChatGPT leads US AI brand preference rankings, Gemini gains momentum | Marketing Dive

New York, NY —

According to the latestUS AI Brand Rankings, ChatGPT leads in preference among US users who have recently used generative AI. The rankings examine which tools US consumers prefer, which brands are building momentum in 2026, and perception differences across metrics such as accuracy and the impact of AI tools on people's work, thinking, or feelings.

Key Findings

• ChatGPT Leads AI Brand Preference:Among US adults who have used generative AI in the past 30 days, 33.7% say ChatGPT is their most preferred AI tool. Gemini ranks second at 18.2%, followed by Microsoft Copilot (8.2%), Apple Siri (7.7%), and Anthropic's Claude (6.1%).
• Gemini Shows Largest Preference Gain:Between February and July 2026, Gemini's preference rose by 6.8 percentage points, the largest increase among eligible AI brands. Copilot rose by 3.0 points, and Claude by 0.8 points.
• ChatGPT Remains Far Ahead Despite Decline:ChatGPT's preference fell by 5.9 points in July compared to February, but it still leads the category by a significant margin.
• AI Preferences Vary by Worker Segment:ChatGPT's preference is 10.9 points higher among knowledge workers than among frontline and operations workers. Claude's preference is 7.1% among knowledge workers but only 1.9% among frontline and operations workers.
• Voice Assistants More Popular Among Frontline Workers:Siri's preference is 10.3% among frontline and operations workers, compared to 4.8% among knowledge workers. Alexa shows a similar pattern, at 6.0% and 3.9%, respectively.
• ChatGPT and Gemini Also Lead in Accuracy Perception:ChatGPT has a net accuracy score of 30.3, Gemini 25.3, and Claude 14.4.
• ChatGPT Leads in Personal Impact Perception:ChatGPT has a net personal impact score of 35.3, which measures whether people think the tool has a positive or negative impact on their work, thinking, or feelings. Gemini follows at 25.9, and Copilot at 18.4.

"ChatGPT remains the clear leader among US generative AI users, but these rankings show the competitive landscape is evolving rapidly," said Tom Fisher, Chief Commercial Officer at YouGov. "Gemini has built significant momentum in a relatively short time, while Claude, despite lower awareness, performs strongly on accuracy perception. Different types of AI tools are also attracting different audiences. For brands competing in this space, it's increasingly important to go beyond awareness and usage to understand which tools consumers actually prefer. Brands that earn trust by providing accurate information and are seen as having a positive impact on consumers' lives will gain market share over time."

The full US AI Brand Rankings can beviewed here。

Methodology

This analysis is based on data collected by YouGov BrandIndex in the US from February 1 to July 31, 2026. The primary ranking measures preference among US adults who have used generative AI in the past 30 days. Change analysis compares July 2026 data with February 2026 data. Accuracy and personal impact are net scores, calculated as the percentage of positive responses minus the percentage of negative responses. YouGov BrandIndex tracks 18 AI brands in the US; the published rankings focus on consumer-facing, general-purpose AI assistant tools.

Worker comparisons use two audience segments. Knowledge workers include: nurses, doctors or surgeons, dentists, other health-related professionals, network administrators, software developers or computer programmers, systems administrators, other IT professionals, accountants, commercial or investment bankers, financial or business analysts, investment or financial advisors, retail or personal bankers/loan officers, other financial professionals, compensation or benefits professionals, recruiters, trainers or career development professionals, other HR professionals, salespeople/account executives, sales support/account managers, other sales or sales support roles, architects, artists, graphic designers, visual design specialists, lawyers, engineers, executive assistants/administrative assistants, management consultants, market researchers, scientists, teachers or professors, writers or journalists, military officers, veterinarians, marketing and related disciplines (PR/brand/insights, etc.), media agency professionals (e.g., buyers/planners), and insurance agents.

Frontline and operations workers include: caregivers, call center professionals, sales associates/retail staff/cashiers, clerks, chefs/head cooks, drivers (e.g., truck, bus, taxi), food service servers, security guards, trade specialists (e.g., carpenters, plumbers, electricians, pipefitters), non-commissioned officers, soldiers, police officers, jailers or other law enforcement, barbers, and artisans.