How popular isAirheads?
In October 2026, people searched for Airheads by name about 33,100 times worldwide, a 22.1% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 1.2% of all global candy brand searches, placing Airheads 14th out of 15 brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about candy brands, Airheads appeared in two of the five answers and was the tenth most recommended of the 15.
Airheads is the 14th most searched of 15 competitors and the tenth most recommended in the AI answers we collected.
HariboShare of searches 20%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
SkittlesShare of searches 20%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Sour Patch KidsShare of searches 13.4%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
NerdsShare of searches 9.5%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
AirheadsShare of searches 1.2%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 10th
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Top candy brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Airheads was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Airheads is the tenth most recommended of the 15.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Sour Patch Kids1st
Haribo2nd
Skittles3rd
Nerds4th
Jolly Rancher5th
Warheads6th
Starburst7th
Trolli8th
Mike and Ike9th
Airheads10th- +5 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Sour Patch Kids5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Haribo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Skittles3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Nerds2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Jolly Rancher2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Mike and Ike2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Warheads2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Starburst2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Airheads2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hi-Chew1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about candy brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best candy brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which sour candy should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the most popular candy right now?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“candy brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best candy”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 26, 2026.
How often do people search for Airheads compared with other candy brands worldwide?
Share of searches by month for Haribo, Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Nerds, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Hi-Chew, Swedish Fish, Jelly Belly, Mike and Ike, Trolli, Airheads. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Haribo | Skittles | Sour Patch Kids | Nerds | Jolly Rancher | Twizzlers | Hi-Chew | Swedish Fish | Jelly Belly | Mike and Ike | Trolli | Warheads | Starburst | Airheads | Maynards Bassetts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 23.2% | 18.9% | 10.4% | 11.6% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.05% |
| Dec 2025 | 23.8% | 19.4% | 10.6% | 9.7% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.06% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.7% | 20.2% | 11% | 8.8% | 9% | 4.9% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.06% |
| Feb 2026 | 24.4% | 20% | 10.9% | 10% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 4% | 3.3% | 4% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.99% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 23.8% | 19.5% | 10.7% | 9.8% | 8.7% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.96% | 0.06% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.2% | 19.8% | 10.8% | 8.6% | 8.9% | 4.8% | 4% | 4% | 4.8% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.98% | 0.06% |
| May 2026 | 23.6% | 19.3% | 10.6% | 9.7% | 8.6% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 3.9% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.95% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 23.4% | 19.2% | 10.5% | 9.6% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.1% | 3.9% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.07% |
| Jul 2026 | 23% | 18.8% | 10.3% | 10% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 0.05% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.7% | 21.7% | 9.7% | 8.9% | 9.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.06% |
| Sep 2026 | 20.8% | 20.8% | 11.4% | 8.5% | 9.3% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1% | 0.05% |
| Oct 2026 | 20% | 20% | 13.4% | 9.5% | 9% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.05% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 20% | 550K | +22.2% | -0.8 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 20% | 550K | +22.2% | -0.8 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.4% | 368K | +49.6% | +2 points | |
| 4, moved from 5th to 4th | 9.5% | 262K | +41.7% | +1 pointsmoved from 5th to 4th | |
| 5, moved from 4th to 5th | 9% | 246K | +22.4% | -0.3 pointsmoved from 4th to 5th | |
| 6, held 6th | 6% | 165K | +22.2% | -0.2 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 4% | 110K | +21.5% | -0.2 points | |
| 8, moved from 9th to 8th | 4% | 110K | +21.5% | -0.2 pointsmoved from 9th to 8th | |
| 9, moved from 8th to 9th | 3.3% | 90.5K | 0% | -0.9 pointsmoved from 8th to 9th | |
| 10, held 10th | 3.3% | 90.5K | +22.3% | -0.1 points | |
| 11, held 11th | 3.3% | 90.5K | +22.3% | -0.1 points | |
| 12, held 12th | 1.5% | 40.5K | +49.4% | +0.2 points | |
| 13, held 13th | 1.4% | 39.7K | +68.9% | +0.4 points | |
| 14, held 14th | 1.2% | 33.1K | +49.1% | +0.2 points | |
| 15, held 15th | 0.05% | 1.3K | +30% | 0 points |
1.
Haribo20%
Held 1st. 550K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
2.
Skittles20%
Held 2nd. 550K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
13.4%
Held 3rd. 368K estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share +2 points.
4.
Nerds9.5%
Moved from 5th to 4th. 262K estimated branded searches, +41.7% vs prior month. Share +1 points.
9%
Moved from 4th to 5th. 246K estimated branded searches, +22.4% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
6%
Held 6th. 165K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
7.
Hi-Chew4%
Held 7th. 110K estimated branded searches, +21.5% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
4%
Moved from 9th to 8th. 110K estimated branded searches, +21.5% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
3.3%
Moved from 8th to 9th. 90.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.9 points.
10.
Mike and Ike3.3%
Held 10th. 90.5K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
11.
Trolli3.3%
Held 11th. 90.5K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
12.
Warheads1.5%
Held 12th. 40.5K estimated branded searches, +49.4% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
13.
Starburst1.4%
Held 13th. 39.7K estimated branded searches, +68.9% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
14.
Airheads1.2%
Held 14th. 33.1K estimated branded searches, +49.1% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
0.05%
Held 15th. 1.3K estimated branded searches, +30% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Compare popularity between Airheads and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Airheads
14 comparisons
- Airheads vs Haribo
- Airheads vs Hi-Chew
- Airheads vs Jelly Belly
- Airheads vs Jolly Rancher
- Airheads vs Mike and Ike
- Airheads vs Nerds
- Airheads vs Skittles
- Airheads vs Sour Patch Kids
- Airheads vs Starburst
- Airheads vs Swedish Fish
- Airheads vs Trolli
- Airheads vs Twizzlers
- Airheads vs Warheads
- Airheads vs Maynards Bassetts
How has branded search demand for Airheads changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Airheads worldwide rose from 27.1K to 33.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Airheads’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide held steady, from 1.1% to 1.2%.
How did search popularity change for candy brands worldwide in October 2026?
6 changes

In October 2026, Nerds overtook Jolly Rancher to rank 4th among candy brands worldwide, with 9.5% of the searches.

In October 2026, Sour Patch Kids gained share of searches among candy brands worldwide, from 11.4% to 13.4%.

In October 2026, Jelly Belly lost share of searches among candy brands worldwide, from 4.2% to 3.3%.

In October 2026, Haribo lost share of searches among candy brands worldwide, from 20.8% to 20%.

In October 2026, Skittles lost share of searches among candy brands worldwide, from 20.8% to 20%.

Hi-Chew’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 4.6% to 4% in October 2026.
How are Airheads’ branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Airheads’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- airheads candy
Who owns Airheads?
Airheads is owned by Perfetti Van Melle. Brandwave does not track any other brands owned by Perfetti Van Melle.
Do you work for Airheads? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

Is Airheads your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.