How popular isMucinex?
In September 2026, people searched for Mucinex by name about 550,000 times worldwide, a 22.2% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 12% of all global cold and flu brand searches, placing Mucinex fourth out of nine brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cold and flu brands, Mucinex appeared in four of the five answers and was the most recommended of the nine.
Mucinex is the fourth most searched of 9 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.
VicksShare of searches 24.8%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
TylenolShare of searches 21.7%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
StrepsilsShare of searches 17.9%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
MucinexShare of searches 12%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
SudafedShare of searches 9.8%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top cold and flu brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Mucinex was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Mucinex is the most recommended of the nine.
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.
- Mucinex4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Tylenol3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Sudafed3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- NyQuil3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- DayQuil3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Vicks1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Strepsils0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Difflam0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Coldrex0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cold and flu brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cold and flu brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cold and flu brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cold and flu brand for cold symptoms?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best cold medicine”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sore throat relief”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Which cold and flu brands compete with Mucinex?
Share of searches by month for Vicks, Tylenol, Strepsils, Mucinex, Sudafed, NyQuil, DayQuil. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Vicks | Tylenol | Strepsils | Mucinex | Sudafed | NyQuil | DayQuil | Difflam | Coldrex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 26.9% | 28.9% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 24.5% | 25.4% | 17.1% | 11.4% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1% |
| Dec 2025 | 26% | 18.6% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 10.2% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 26% | 22.7% | 15.3% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.3% | 22.1% | 14.9% | 12.2% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.2% | 22.9% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.3% | 25.9% | 17.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.86% |
| May 2026 | 23.7% | 23.1% | 18.9% | 12.7% | 10.3% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.76% |
| Jun 2026 | 26.2% | 25% | 20.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 5% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.55% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.2% | 25% | 20.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 5% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.55% |
| Aug 2026 | 25% | 26.8% | 18% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.59% |
| Sep 2026 | 24.8% | 21.7% | 17.9% | 12% | 9.8% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, moved from 2nd to 1st | 24.8% | 1.1M | +22.3% | -0.2 pointsmoved from 2nd to 1st | |
| 2, moved from 1st to 2nd | 21.7% | 1M | 0% | -5 pointsmoved from 1st to 2nd | |
| 3, held 3rd | 17.9% | 823K | +22.3% | -0.1 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 12% | 550K | +49.5% | +2.1 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 9.8% | 450K | +22.3% | -0.1 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 6.5% | 301K | +49.8% | +1.2 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 4.4% | 201K | +82.7% | +1.4 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 1.6% | 74K | +22.3% | 0 points | |
| 9, held 9th | 1.3% | 60.5K | +172.5% | +0.7 points |
1.
Vicks24.8%
Moved from 2nd to 1st. 1.1M estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
2.
Tylenol21.7%
Moved from 1st to 2nd. 1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -5 points.
17.9%
Held 3rd. 823K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
4.
Mucinex12%
Held 4th. 550K estimated branded searches, +49.5% vs prior month. Share +2.1 points.
5.
Sudafed9.8%
Held 5th. 450K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
6.NyQuil
6.5%
Held 6th. 301K estimated branded searches, +49.8% vs prior month. Share +1.2 points.
7.DayQuil
4.4%
Held 7th. 201K estimated branded searches, +82.7% vs prior month. Share +1.4 points.
8.
Difflam1.6%
Held 8th. 74K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
9.Coldrex
1.3%
Held 9th. 60.5K estimated branded searches, +172.5% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
Compare popularity between Mucinex and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Mucinex
8 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Mucinex changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Mucinex worldwide rose from 450K to 550K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mucinex’s share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide increased from 8.7% to 12%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mucinex’s share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide peaked at 15.3% in December 2025 and was lowest at 8.7% in October 2025.
How did search popularity change for cold and flu brands worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Mucinex gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 9.8% to 12%.
In September 2026, DayQuil gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 2.9% to 4.4%.
In September 2026, NyQuil gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 5.4% to 6.5%.
In September 2026, Coldrex gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 0.59% to 1.3%.
In September 2026, Tylenol lost share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 26.8% to 21.7%.
Vicks’ share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 26.2% to 24.8% in September 2026.
How are Mucinex’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mucinex’s 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.
- mucinex
Is Mucinex 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.