Afends vs Rhythm:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Afends had more branded searches than Rhythm among surf brands in Australia. Afends had about 49,500 branded searches, while Rhythm had 6,600. Afends made up 18.5% of all surf brand searches we track, and Rhythm accounted for 2.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surf brands, Rhythm appeared in two of the five answers and Afends in one. Afends and Rhythm were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Afends, about 8 searches for every 1 for Rhythm
Who does AI mention more?
Rhythm, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Afends in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top surf brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Rhythm was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Afends was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Afends and Rhythm were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Billabong5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Rip Curl5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Quiksilver4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ocean & Earth3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Volcom2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Rhythm2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
O'Neill2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Rusty2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Vissla2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Afends1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about surf brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which surf brand should I buy from in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best surf brands in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which boardshorts are best for surfing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“boardshorts”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“surf brands”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 26, 2026.
Is Afends or Rhythm more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Afends and Rhythm by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 surf brands we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Afends, Rhythm. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Billabong | Rip Curl | Afends | Roxy | Deus Ex Machina | Volcom | Rhythm | Mambo | O'Neill | Quiksilver | Rusty | Ocean & Earth | Salty Crew | Vissla | The Critical Slide Society |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 23.4% | 28.6% | 15.7% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 2.6% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.62% | 0.62% |
| Nov 2025 | 21.9% | 26.6% | 21.9% | 8% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.87% | 1.1% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
| Dec 2025 | 24.4% | 29.7% | 13.3% | 7.3% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 4.9% | 1.5% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.65% | 0.65% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.2% | 29.6% | 16.2% | 7.3% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.95% | 0.79% | 0.62% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.7% | 23.7% | 19.4% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.91% | 0.62% | 0.62% |
| Mar 2026 | 20.7% | 25.3% | 20.7% | 6.2% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 2.8% | 1.8% | 1% | 1% | 0.67% | 0.54% |
| Apr 2026 | 21.7% | 26.6% | 17.8% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.83% | 0.57% |
| May 2026 | 24% | 24% | 16% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.77% | 0.63% |
| Jun 2026 | 21.1% | 21.1% | 25.8% | 7.7% | 5.2% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.81% | 0.56% | 0.43% |
| Jul 2026 | 24.5% | 24.5% | 16.4% | 9% | 6% | 4% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.94% | 0.64% | 0.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 23.9% | 23.9% | 16% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.77% | 0.63% |
| Sep 2026 | 27.6% | 22.6% | 18.5% | 10.1% | 5.5% | 3% | 2.5% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.9% | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.48% |
How has the Afends and Rhythm comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Afends was ahead of Rhythm in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Afends’ share of searches among surf brands in Australia moved from 15.7% to 18.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rhythm’s share of searches among surf brands in Australia moved from 3.1% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 6.6K.
How did search popularity change for Australia surf brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Afends gained share of searches among surf brands in Australia, from 16% to 18.5%.
In September 2026, Rhythm lost share of searches among surf brands in Australia, from 3.9% to 2.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Afends’ and Rhythm’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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