How popular isStarburst?
In October 2026, people searched for Starburst by name about 39,700 times worldwide, a 17.8% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 1.4% of all global candy brand searches, placing Starburst 13th out of 15 brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about candy brands, Starburst appeared in two of the five answers and was the seventh most recommended of the 15.
Starburst is the 13th most searched of 15 competitors and the seventh 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
StarburstShare of searches 1.4%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
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Top candy brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Starburst was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Starburst is the seventh 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 Starburst 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, Starburst. 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 | Hi-ChewMorinaga | 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 |  Jelly BellyJelly Belly Candy Company | 3.3% | 90.5K | 0% | -0.9 pointsmoved from 8th to 9th |
| 10, held 10th | Mike and IkeJust Born | 3.3% | 90.5K | +22.3% | -0.1 points |
| 11, held 11th | 3.3% | 90.5K | +22.3% | -0.1 points | |
| 12, held 12th | WarheadsImpact Confections | 1.5% | 40.5K | +49.4% | +0.2 points |
| 13, held 13th | 1.4% | 39.7K | +68.9% | +0.4 points | |
| 14, held 14th | AirheadsPerfetti Van Melle | 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 Starburst and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Starburst
14 comparisons
- Haribo vs Starburst
- Hi-Chew vs Starburst
- Jelly Belly vs Starburst
- Jolly Rancher vs Starburst
- Mike and Ike vs Starburst
- Nerds vs Starburst
- Skittles vs Starburst
- Sour Patch Kids vs Starburst
- Starburst vs Swedish Fish
- Starburst vs Trolli
- Starburst vs Twizzlers
- Starburst vs Warheads
- Airheads vs Starburst
- Maynards Bassetts vs Starburst
How has branded search demand for Starburst changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Starburst worldwide rose from 33.7K to 39.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Starburst fell from 12th to 13th among candy brands worldwide.
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 Starburst’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Starburst’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- starburst candy
- starburst gummies
Who owns Starburst?
Starburst is owned by 
Mars. Brandwave also tracks 
Nom Nom, 
Airwaves, 
Dolmio, Eclipse, Extra, Juicy Fruit, 
Royal Canin, 
Snickers and 
Whiskas, owned by the same company, worldwide.
Do you work for Starburst? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Is Starburst 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.