Candy brands:Which are most popular?
Haribo and Skittles tie for the highest share of searches among candy brands worldwide, at 20% each in October 2026. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Sour Patch Kids showed up in every answer. Sour Patch Kids was recommended most often, coming first in one out of four responses that gave a list.
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
Jolly RancherShare of searches 9%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
Follow candy brands and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top candy brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Sour Patch Kids appeared every time. Sour Patch Kids was recommended most often, coming first in one out of four answers that gave a list. Haribo was second, and Skittles was third. Twizzlers, which ranked sixth in searches, was not mentioned at all.
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
Hi-Chew11th
Twizzlers–
Swedish Fish–
Jelly Belly–
Maynards Bassetts–
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
Trolli1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Twizzlers0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Swedish Fish0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Jelly Belly0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Maynards Bassetts0 of 5Named in 0 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.
Which candy brands do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each candy brand by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 candy brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches 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. 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.
Which brand is most popular in search among candy brands worldwide?
15 brands
Haribo and Skittles tie for the highest share of searches among candy brands worldwide, at 20% each in October 2026.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.2% → 20% | 24.7%Jan 2026 | 20%Oct 2026 | 1st | |
| 18.9% → 20% | 21.7%Aug 2026 | 18.8%Jul 2026 | 2nd | |
| 10.4% → 13.4% | 13.4%Oct 2026 | 9.7%Aug 2026 | 4th → 3rd | |
| 11.6% → 9.5% | 11.6%Nov 2025 | 8.5%Sep 2026 | 3rd → 4th | |
| 8.5% → 9% | 9.7%Aug 2026 | 8.4%Jul 2026 | 5th | |
| 5.7% → 6% | 6.3%Sep 2026 | 4.8%Mar 2026 | 6th | |
| 3.8% → 4% | 4.7%Jun 2026 | 3.8%Nov 2025 | 7th | |
| 3.8% → 4% | 4.2%Sep 2026 | 3.2%Dec 2025 | 9th → 8th | |
| 3.8% → 3.3% | 4.8%Apr 2026 | 3.3%Oct 2026 | 8th → 9th | |
| 2.5% → 3.3% | 3.6%Aug 2026 | 2.5%Nov 2025 | 11th → 10th | |
| 3.8% → 3.3% | 3.9%May 2026 | 3.2%Dec 2025 | 10th → 11th | |
| 1.4% → 1.5% | 1.5%Oct 2026 | 1.1%Jul 2026 | 13th → 12th | |
| 1.4% | 1.5%Jan 2026 | 1.1%Sep 2026 | 12th → 13th | |
| 1.1% → 1.2% | 1.4%Jul 2026 | 0.95%May 2026 | 14th | |
| 0.05% | 0.07%Jun 2026 | 0.04%May 2026 | 15th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Haribo’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide decreased from 23.2% to 20%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Skittles’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide increased from 18.9% to 20%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Sour Patch Kids’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide increased from 10.4% to 13.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Nerds’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide decreased from 11.6% to 9.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Jelly Belly’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide decreased from 3.8% to 3.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Mike and Ike’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide increased from 2.5% to 3.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Trolli’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide decreased from 3.8% to 3.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Haribo’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide peaked at 24.7% in January 2026 and was lowest at 20% in October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Skittles’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide peaked at 21.7% in August 2026 and was lowest at 18.8% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Sour Patch Kids’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide peaked at 13.4% in October 2026 and was lowest at 9.7% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Nerds’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide peaked at 11.6% in November 2025 and was lowest at 8.5% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Jolly Rancher’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide peaked at 9.7% in August 2026 and was lowest at 8.4% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Twizzlers’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide peaked at 6.3% in September 2026 and was lowest at 4.8% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Jelly Belly’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide peaked at 4.8% in April 2026 and was lowest at 3.3% in October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Mike and Ike’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide peaked at 3.6% in August 2026 and was lowest at 2.5% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Sour Patch Kids rose from 4th to 3rd among candy brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Nerds fell from 3rd to 4th among candy brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Swedish Fish rose from 9th to 8th among candy brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Jelly Belly fell from 8th to 9th among candy brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Mike and Ike rose from 11th to 10th among candy brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Trolli fell from 10th to 11th among candy brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Warheads rose from 13th to 12th among candy brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Starburst fell from 12th to 13th among candy brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Hi-Chew, Airheads and Maynards Bassetts held steady: their share of searches among candy brands worldwide each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for candy brands worldwide in October 2026?
8 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.

In October 2026, Swedish Fish rose from 9th to 8th among candy brands worldwide.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Mike and Ike worldwide rose 49.6% over 12 measured months, from 60.5K to 90.5K in October 2026.
How are branded searches counted for candy brands?
17 search terms
Each brand's share of searches among candy brands comes from the terms listed under its name. When people mostly search for a brand because of something else it sells, only the searches that name this product count here.
Haribo
1 branded search term
- haribo
Skittles
1 branded search term
- skittles
Sour Patch Kids
1 branded search term
- sour patch kids
Nerds
2 branded search terms
- nerds candy
- nerds gummy clusters
Jolly Rancher
1 branded search term
- jolly rancher
Twizzlers
1 branded search term
- twizzlers
Hi-Chew
1 branded search term
- hi chew
Swedish Fish
1 branded search term
- swedish fish
Jelly Belly
1 branded search term
- jelly belly
Mike and Ike
1 branded search term
- mike and ike
Trolli
1 branded search term
- trolli
Warheads
1 branded search term
- warheads candy
Starburst
2 branded search terms
- starburst candy
- starburst gummies
Airheads
1 branded search term
- airheads candy
Maynards Bassetts
1 branded search term
- maynards bassetts
Compare popularity between leading brands

Haribo vs Skittles: compare popularity
Haribo vs Sour Patch Kids: compare popularity
Haribo vs Nerds: compare popularity
Haribo vs Jolly Rancher: compare popularity
Skittles vs Sour Patch Kids: compare popularity
Skittles vs Nerds: compare popularity
Skittles vs Jolly Rancher: compare popularity
Sour Patch Kids vs Nerds: compare popularity
Sour Patch Kids vs Jolly Rancher: compare popularity
Nerds vs Jolly Rancher: compare popularity- Compare any of these brands

See your own brand in this picture
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to your campaigns, spend and outcomes, so you can see what moved your numbers, not just that they moved.