Budweiser vs Heineken:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Heineken had more branded searches than Budweiser among beer brands worldwide. Heineken had about 823,000 branded searches, while Budweiser had 450,000. Heineken made up 43.3% of all beer brand searches we track, and Budweiser accounted for 23.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about beer brands, Heineken appeared in three of the five answers and Budweiser in two. Heineken was mentioned before Budweiser in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Heineken, about 83% more searches than Budweiser
Who does AI mention more?
Heineken, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Budweiser in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Heineken, named ahead of Budweiser in 3 of 3 answers
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Top beer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Heineken was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Budweiser was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Heineken was listed before Budweiser in every answer that named either.
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.
Modelo Especial5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Guinness4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Heineken3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Corona3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Budweiser2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Asahi2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Tui0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about beer brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which beer brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best beer brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best beer brand for everyday drinking?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“beer brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“popular beer brands”
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.
Is Budweiser or Heineken more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Budweiser and Heineken by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven beer brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Heineken, Budweiser. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Heineken | Budweiser | Corona | Guinness | Asahi | Modelo Especial | Tui |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 43.4% | 23.9% | 13.9% | 10.7% | 5.9% | 2.1% | 0.13% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.2% | 27.5% | 15.3% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 2% | 0.15% |
| Dec 2025 | 43.1% | 29% | 13.8% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 2.1% | 0.16% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.9% | 28.7% | 14.3% | 7% | 4.7% | 2.1% | 0.15% |
| Feb 2026 | 43.2% | 28.9% | 13.7% | 7.1% | 4.8% | 2.1% | 0.13% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.5% | 26.4% | 15.4% | 11.8% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 0.14% |
| Apr 2026 | 40.8% | 27.3% | 16.7% | 8.2% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 0.14% |
| May 2026 | 41.6% | 28% | 16.3% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 2.5% | 0.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.1% | 30.3% | 17.6% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 2.7% | 0.11% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.8% | 26.6% | 18.9% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 0.12% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.9% | 26% | 18.5% | 7.8% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 0.11% |
| Sep 2026 | 43.3% | 23.7% | 16.8% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 0.15% |
How has the Budweiser and Heineken comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Heineken was ahead of Budweiser in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Budweiser’s share of searches among beer brands worldwide moved from 23.9% to 23.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 550K to 450K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Heineken’s share of searches among beer brands worldwide moved from 43.4% to 43.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1M to 823K.
How did search popularity change for beer brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Heineken gained share of searches among beer brands worldwide, from 38.9% to 43.3%.
In September 2026, Budweiser lost share of searches among beer brands worldwide, from 26% to 23.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Budweiser’s and Heineken’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.
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