When we talk about SEO, most conversations still center on broad, non-branded terms like “best project management software” or “how to train for a marathon.” These high-intent, top-of-funnel keywords are important - but they’re no longer the full story.
According to a recent study analyzing 150 million search queries, nearly half of all Google searches - 45.7% - are branded.
That means people are actively searching for businesses, products, or services they already know by name.
For businesses investing in SEO, this is a wake-up call: if you’re not optimizing for branded search, you’re leaving opportunity - and revenue - on the table.
Let’s break down what branded search really means, why it’s growing, and how to take control of your branded SERP (Search Engine Results Page) like a marketer who plays to win.
A branded search is any query that includes the name of your brand, product, or a unique trademarked term. This could be something simple like:
What makes branded search so valuable is the intent behind it. These aren’t casual browsers. They’re people who already know about you - or have heard about you elsewhere - and are now looking for something specific.
That’s marketing gold.
While only 36.9% of search queries are branded, those queries make up 45.7% of total search volume. That means they’re being searched much more frequently than generic keywords.
The question is: Are you showing up well for your own name?
When someone searches for a brand by name, they’re often further down the funnel than a generic keyword searcher.
Instead of “best all-in-one marketing platform,” they’re typing in “HubSpot pricing” or “ClickUp features.” That’s intent with a capital “I.”
For example, if someone hears about your brand on a podcast or LinkedIn post, their first step is often to Google your name. That search is a form of direct engagement - and if you’re not showing up with useful, optimized pages, you’re missing a chance to convert a warm lead.
Let’s say someone sees your ad on Instagram, reads a LinkedIn post, and hears about you on a podcast. Days later, they search for your brand and land on your homepage.
That’s a branded search - but the actual demand was created earlier, across other channels. Google simply becomes the final step in the journey.
This is where many businesses get attribution wrong. They see SEO driving conversions and assume organic search is the sole channel doing the work. In truth, SEO is just capturing the demand created by your brand’s broader presence.
Google and AI search tools are now rewarding brand strength as a ranking signal.
If your brand is mentioned often across the web, receives frequent branded searches, and is associated with helpful content, you’re far more likely to:
This is especially true in the era of AI search assistants, where brand mentions - not backlinks - are often the key to visibility.
Your homepage isn’t the only page people want when they search for your brand. They might be looking for:
Imagine a local fitness studio called Pulse Strength. A quick search for “Pulse Strength” pulls up their homepage, but nothing else. No class schedule, no blog content, no reviews, no instructor bios. Just a thin homepage and a Facebook link.
Now compare that to a competitor, ZenFit Studio, which dominates the SERP with:
Both studios offer similar services, but ZenFit owns their branded SERP. Which one would you trust more?
This is what branded search optimization looks like in action - and it’s something most brands overlook.
Branded SEO isn’t a one-and-done checklist - it’s an ongoing effort. Here’s where to start:
Google your brand. What shows up? Are competitors bidding on your name? Are review sites stealing your traffic? Are outdated pages showing first?
You should control as many of those top 10 results as possible. That means publishing:
Pay attention to branded search queries you don’t rank well for. Tools like Ahrefs and Google Search Console can show you these.
Maybe people are searching “Theia Media case studies” or “Theia Media AI strategy pricing” but you don’t have dedicated pages for those. Create them. Don’t let Google guess.
Google prioritizes brands that are trusted. That trust is often signaled through third-party review sites, Google Business Profiles, and social proof.
Respond to every review. Ask for more. And be proactive about reputation management - it directly impacts your visibility.
The SEO landscape is volatile. Algorithms change. AI overviews are rewriting the rules. Zero-click searches are on the rise.
But branded search remains one of the few areas you can fully control. It’s where trust, awareness, and real marketing show up.
When someone types your name into Google, make sure they land somewhere that reinforces their interest - not causes them to bounce or question your credibility.
If your marketing strategy only focuses on top-of-funnel keywords, you’re fighting in the most competitive part of the internet.
By shifting focus toward branded search - where people already want what you offer - you gain a compounding advantage:
At Theia Media, we help brands build long-term visibility not just through keywords, but through intent-driven discovery.
Branded search isn’t just a metric. It’s a signal of trust. And in today’s landscape, trust is the real currency of visibility.