Why are people still fighting over this. Some people say Nas, some people say Jay. It's fine.
Do more people generally say Jay? Yea, I don't see how anyone can deny that. A lot of that is based off people's perceptions of 2001-2014 or so. That's middle (or high school) through college for a lot of people in their mid to late 30s right now. So that includes Ether...but it also includes The Black Album/retirement, Collision Course, American Gangster, Blueprint 3, Watch The Throne, and MCHG. Add up who had the biggest hits and biggest albums of the era and you'll get your answer for a lot of people.
And before anyone gets mad yes, I apply the same view to Drake v Kendrick. More people are connected to Drake's music in our generation because he had more hits, loosies, party tracks, bangers, etc. That makes the battle even more impressive IMO. Kendrick handily won despite that disadvantage.