Brandwave

Diplomático vs Malibu:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Malibu had more branded searches than Diplomático among rum brands in Australia. Malibu had about 5,400 branded searches, while Diplomático had 1,000. Malibu made up 8.1% of all rum brand searches we track, and Diplomático accounted for 1.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about rum brands, Diplomático appeared in two of the five answers and Malibu in none.

Among rum brands in Australia in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Malibu, about 5 searches for every 1 for Diplomático

Malibu 5.4K searchesDiplomático 1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Diplomático, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Malibu in 0

Diplomático in 2 of 5Malibu in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Diplomático, the only one of the two named

Diplomático first in 2Malibu never named

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Top rum brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Diplomático was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either 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.

  1. Diplomático1st
  2. Captain Morgan2nd
  3. Kraken3rd
  4. Bacardi3rd
  5. Sailor Jerry5th
  6. Havana Club6th
  7. Bundaberg Rum7th
  8. Malibu–
  9. 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

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 Diplomático or Malibu more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Diplomático 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.

Diplomático and Malibu among rum brands in Australia, by month

Share of searches by month for Malibu, Diplomático. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthBundaberg RumKrakenBacardiCaptain MorganMalibuSailor JerryBeenleighDiplomáticoHavana Club
Oct 202541.8%15.6%15.6%10.4%6.9%3.8%3%1.6%1.4%
Nov 202541.6%15.5%15.5%10.3%6.9%3.8%3%1.6%2%
Dec 202537.8%17.2%17.2%9.4%9.4%3.4%2.8%1.2%1.5%
Jan 202636.2%17%17%9.3%9.3%4.1%3.3%1.5%2.2%
Feb 202639.2%14.6%14.6%11.9%8%5.3%2.9%1.6%1.9%
Mar 202640.1%15.5%15.5%12.6%6.9%3.6%3.1%1.4%1.4%
Apr 202638.9%17.7%14.5%11.8%7.9%3.4%2.9%1.3%1.6%
May 202636.2%24.7%13.5%11%6%3.2%2.7%1.2%1.5%
Jun 202636.4%24.8%13.6%11.1%6%3.2%2.2%1.5%1.2%
Jul 202641.2%19.3%12.9%10.5%7%3.8%2.6%1.2%1.4%
Aug 202639.8%22.2%12.1%9.9%6.6%3.6%2.8%1.5%1.5%
Sep 202640%18.2%14.9%9.9%8.1%3.6%2.4%1.5%1.3%

How has the Diplomático and Malibu comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Malibu was ahead of Diplomático in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Diplomático’s share of searches among rum brands in Australia moved from 1.6% to 1.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1K.
  • 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?

1 change
  1. 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 Diplomático’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.

Diplomático

1 branded search term

  • diplomatico

Malibu

1 branded search term

  • malibu rum

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among rum brands

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