Merlo Coffee vs Starbucks:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Starbucks had more branded searches than Merlo Coffee among coffee chains in Australia. Starbucks had about 165,000 branded searches, while Merlo Coffee had 6,600. Starbucks made up 54.4% of all coffee chain searches we track, and Merlo Coffee accounted for 2.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about coffee chains, Merlo Coffee appeared in two of the four answers and Starbucks in none.
Who do people search for more?
Starbucks, about 25 searches for every 1 for Merlo Coffee
Who does AI mention more?
Merlo Coffee, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Starbucks in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Merlo Coffee, the only one of the two named
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Top coffee chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Merlo Coffee was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Starbucks did not appear in any of the four answers.
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.
The Coffee Club2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Campos Coffee2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Dôme Café2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Merlo Coffee2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Zarraffa's Coffee1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Muffin Break1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Gloria Jean's1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Starbucks0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about coffee chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which coffee chain has the best coffee in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best coffee chains in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which café chain in Australia is best for a quick coffee and snack?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“coffee shops”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“coffee near me”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is Merlo Coffee or Starbucks more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Merlo Coffee and Starbucks by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight coffee chains we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Starbucks, Merlo Coffee. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Starbucks | Zarraffa's Coffee | The Coffee Club | Muffin Break | Campos Coffee | Dôme Café | Merlo Coffee | Gloria Jean's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 60.9% | 12.2% | 8.2% | 4.5% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 66.1% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 4% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 1.8% | 0.29% |
| Dec 2025 | 63.2% | 15.5% | 7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 4.7% | 1.7% | 0.34% |
| Jan 2026 | 60.3% | 14.8% | 8.1% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 2% | 0.39% |
| Feb 2026 | 62.8% | 12.6% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 5.7% | 1.7% | 0.33% |
| Mar 2026 | 62.1% | 12.5% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 2% | 0.33% |
| Apr 2026 | 56% | 16.8% | 11.3% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 5% | 2.3% | 0.36% |
| May 2026 | 58.4% | 14.4% | 9.6% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 0.38% |
| Jun 2026 | 54.2% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 4.9% | 5.9% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.33% |
| Jul 2026 | 54.2% | 16.2% | 10.9% | 5.9% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.43% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.2% | 18.8% | 10.3% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 0.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.4% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 6% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 2.2% | 0.43% |
How has the Merlo Coffee and Starbucks comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Starbucks was ahead of Merlo Coffee in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Merlo Coffee’s share of searches among coffee chains in Australia moved from 1.6% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 6.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Starbucks’ share of searches among coffee chains in Australia moved from 60.9% to 54.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 165K.
How did search popularity change for Australia coffee chains in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Starbucks gained share of searches among coffee chains in Australia, from 51.2% to 54.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Merlo Coffee’s and Starbucks’ 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.
Merlo Coffee
1 branded search term
- merlo coffee
Starbucks
1 branded search term
- starbucks
Other head-to-heads among coffee chains
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