Bacardi vs Malibu:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Bacardi had more branded searches than Malibu among rum brands in Australia. Bacardi had about 9,900 branded searches, while Malibu had 5,400. Bacardi made up 14.9% of all rum brand searches we track, and Malibu accounted for 8.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about rum brands, Bacardi appeared in one of the five answers and Malibu in none.
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Top rum brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Bacardi was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Malibu did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Diplomático1st
Captain Morgan2nd
Kraken3rd
Bacardi3rd
Sailor Jerry5th
Havana Club6th
Bundaberg Rum7th
Malibu–
Beenleigh–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Captain Morgan2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Sailor Jerry2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Diplomático2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Havana Club2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Bundaberg Rum1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Kraken1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Bacardi1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Malibu0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Beenleigh0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about rum brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which rum should I buy in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best rum brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best rum for cocktails?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“rum”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“spiced rum”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 26, 2026.
Is Bacardi or Malibu more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bacardi and Malibu by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine rum brands we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Bacardi, Malibu. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Bundaberg Rum | Kraken | Bacardi | Captain Morgan | Malibu | Sailor Jerry | Beenleigh | Diplomático | Havana Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41.8% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.6% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3% | 1.6% | 2% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.8% | 17.2% | 17.2% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1.2% | 1.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.2% | 17% | 17% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 2.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 39.2% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 11.9% | 8% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 40.1% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 3.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.9% | 17.7% | 14.5% | 11.8% | 7.9% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| May 2026 | 36.2% | 24.7% | 13.5% | 11% | 6% | 3.2% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 1.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 36.4% | 24.8% | 13.6% | 11.1% | 6% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.2% | 19.3% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 7% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.8% | 22.2% | 12.1% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 40% | 18.2% | 14.9% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 1.5% | 1.3% |
How has the Bacardi and Malibu comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Bacardi was ahead of Malibu in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bacardi’s share of searches among rum brands in Australia moved from 15.6% to 14.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 9.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Malibu’s share of searches among rum brands in Australia moved from 6.9% to 8.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.4K to 5.4K.
How did search popularity change for Australia rum brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Bacardi gained share of searches among rum brands in Australia, from 12.1% to 14.9%.
In September 2026, Malibu gained share of searches among rum brands in Australia, from 6.6% to 8.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bacardi’s and Malibu’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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