Brandwave

How popular isTylenol?

In September 2026, people searched for Tylenol by name about 1 million times worldwide, a 33.3% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 21.7% of all global cold and flu brand searches, placing Tylenol second out of nine brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cold and flu brands, Tylenol appeared in three of the five answers and was the fifth most recommended of the nine.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Tylenol is the second most searched of 9 competitors and the fifth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. VicksShare of searches 24.8%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
  2. TylenolShare of searches 21.7%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  3. StrepsilsShare of searches 17.9%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  4. MucinexShare of searches 12%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  5. 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, Tylenol was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Tylenol is the fifth most recommended of the nine.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Mucinex1st
  2. DayQuil2nd
  3. NyQuil3rd
  4. Sudafed4th
  5. Tylenol5th
  6. Vicks6th
  7. Strepsils–
  8. Difflam–
  9. Coldrex–

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

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 20, 2026.

Which cold and flu brands compete with Tylenol?

Tylenol against cold and flu brands worldwide, by month

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
MonthVicksTylenolStrepsilsMucinexSudafedNyQuilDayQuilDifflamColdrex
Oct 202526.9%28.9%15.8%8.7%8.7%4.7%3.2%1.7%1.4%
Nov 202524.5%25.4%17.1%11.4%9.4%6.3%3.4%1.5%1%
Dec 202526%18.6%15.3%15.3%10.2%6.9%4.6%1.7%1.4%
Jan 202626%22.7%15.3%12.5%10.2%6.8%3.7%1.4%1.4%
Feb 202625.3%22.1%14.9%12.2%12.2%6.7%3.7%1.6%1.3%
Mar 202624.2%22.9%15.4%12.6%12.6%5.6%3.8%1.7%1.1%
Apr 202622.3%25.9%17.4%11.6%11.6%5.2%3.5%1.6%0.86%
May 202623.7%23.1%18.9%12.7%10.3%5.7%3.1%1.7%0.76%
Jun 202626.2%25%20.4%9.1%9.1%5%2.7%1.8%0.55%
Jul 202626.2%25%20.4%9.1%9.1%5%2.7%1.8%0.55%
Aug 202625%26.8%18%9.8%9.8%5.4%2.9%1.6%0.59%
Sep 202624.8%21.7%17.9%12%9.8%6.5%4.4%1.6%1.3%

  1. 1.Vicks

    24.8%

    Moved from 2nd to 1st. 1.1M estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  2. 2.Tylenol

    21.7%

    Moved from 1st to 2nd. 1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -5 points.

  3. 3.Strepsils

    17.9%

    Held 3rd. 823K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  4. 4.Mucinex

    12%

    Held 4th. 550K estimated branded searches, +49.5% vs prior month. Share +2.1 points.

  5. 5.Sudafed

    9.8%

    Held 5th. 450K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  6. 6.NyQuil

    6.5%

    Held 6th. 301K estimated branded searches, +49.8% vs prior month. Share +1.2 points.

  7. 7.DayQuil

    4.4%

    Held 7th. 201K estimated branded searches, +82.7% vs prior month. Share +1.4 points.

  8. 8.Difflam

    1.6%

    Held 8th. 74K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  9. 9.Coldrex

    1.3%

    Held 9th. 60.5K estimated branded searches, +172.5% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.

Compare popularity between Tylenol and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Tylenol

8 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Tylenol changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

4 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Tylenol worldwide fell from 1.5M to 1M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tylenol’s share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide decreased from 28.9% to 21.7%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tylenol’s share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide peaked at 28.9% in October 2025 and was lowest at 18.6% in December 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tylenol fell from 1st to 2nd among cold and flu brands worldwide.

How did search popularity change for cold and flu brands worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Mucinex gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 9.8% to 12%.

  2. In September 2026, DayQuil gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 2.9% to 4.4%.

  3. In September 2026, NyQuil gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 5.4% to 6.5%.

  4. In September 2026, Coldrex gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 0.59% to 1.3%.

  5. In September 2026, Tylenol lost share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 26.8% to 21.7%.

  6. 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 Tylenol’s branded searches counted?

1 search term

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Tylenol’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.

  • tylenol

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Who owns Tylenol?

Tylenol is owned by Kenvue. Brandwave does not track any other brands owned by Kenvue.

Do you work for Tylenol? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

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