Muscle Nation vs Optimum Nutrition:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Muscle Nation had more branded searches than Optimum Nutrition among protein powder brands in Australia. Muscle Nation had about 110,000 branded searches, while Optimum Nutrition had 9,900. Muscle Nation made up 40.3% of all protein powder brand searches we track, and Optimum Nutrition accounted for 3.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about protein powder brands, Optimum Nutrition appeared in three of the four answers and Muscle Nation in one. Optimum Nutrition was mentioned before Muscle Nation in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Muscle Nation, about 11 searches for every 1 for Optimum Nutrition
Who does AI mention more?
Optimum Nutrition, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Muscle Nation in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Optimum Nutrition, named ahead of Muscle Nation in every answer
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Top protein powder brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Optimum Nutrition was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Muscle Nation was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Optimum Nutrition was listed before Muscle Nation in every answer.
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.
Bulk Nutrients4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
True Protein3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Optimum Nutrition3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Muscle Nation1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Macro Mike1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Myprotein0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
EHP Labs0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about protein powder brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which protein powder brand should I buy in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best protein powder brands in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best value protein powder in Australia?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“protein powder”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best protein powder”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is Muscle Nation or Optimum Nutrition more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Muscle Nation and Optimum Nutrition by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven protein powder brands we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Muscle Nation, Optimum Nutrition. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Muscle Nation | Bulk Nutrients | True Protein | Macro Mike | Myprotein | Optimum Nutrition | EHP Labs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34.2% | 27.9% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 3.7% | 4.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 55.3% | 16.6% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 5% | 1.8% | 6.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.2% | 25.4% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 2.8% | 4.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.2% | 32.2% | 11.8% | 9.6% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 4.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.1% | 28.7% | 12.8% | 8.6% | 7% | 3.8% | 3.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 41.4% | 27.8% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 5.6% | 3.7% | 3% |
| Apr 2026 | 40.4% | 27.2% | 12.2% | 8.2% | 5.4% | 3.6% | 3% |
| May 2026 | 35% | 28.6% | 15.7% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 47.5% | 21.3% | 9.5% | 11.7% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 35.1% | 28.7% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 2.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.6% | 27.9% | 12.5% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 2% |
| Sep 2026 | 40.3% | 27.1% | 12.1% | 9.9% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 2.4% |
How has the Muscle Nation and Optimum Nutrition comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Muscle Nation was ahead of Optimum Nutrition in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Muscle Nation’s share of searches among protein powder brands in Australia moved from 34.2% to 40.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 110K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Optimum Nutrition’s share of searches among protein powder brands in Australia moved from 3.7% to 3.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 9.9K.
How did search popularity change for Australia protein powder brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Optimum Nutrition gained share of searches among protein powder brands in Australia, from 3.1% to 3.6%.
In September 2026, Muscle Nation lost share of searches among protein powder brands in Australia, from 41.6% to 40.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Muscle Nation’s and Optimum Nutrition’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.
Muscle Nation
1 branded search term
- muscle nation
Optimum Nutrition
1 branded search term
- optimum nutrition
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