AP News vs NewsBreak:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, AP News had more branded searches than NewsBreak among news apps worldwide. AP News had about 1.2 million branded searches, while NewsBreak had 301,000. AP News made up 12.8% of all news app searches we track, and NewsBreak accounted for 3.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about news apps, AP News appeared in all five answers and NewsBreak in two. AP News was mentioned before NewsBreak in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
AP News, about 4 searches for every 1 for NewsBreak
Who does AI mention more?
AP News, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
AP News, named ahead of NewsBreak in every answer
Follow AP News vs NewsBreak 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 news apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, AP News appeared in all five answers. NewsBreak was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. AP News was listed before NewsBreak in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Google News1st
AP News2nd
Ground News3rd
Apple News4th
NewsBreak5th
Flipboard6th
Feedly7th
SmartNews–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Google News5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
AP News5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ground News5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Apple News4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
NewsBreak2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Feedly1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Flipboard1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
SmartNews0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about news apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which news app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best news apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best news app for daily headlines?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“news apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“breaking news app”
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 19, 2026.
Share of searches by month for AP News, NewsBreak. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google News | AP News | NewsBreak | Apple News | Ground News | SmartNews | Feedly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 80.6% | 10.8% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 3.2% | 0.36% | 0.01% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 81.3% | 10.9% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 2.7% | 0.36% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 83.6% | 9.1% | 3.4% | 1.2% | 2.3% | 0.37% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 78.7% | 12.9% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 3.2% | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 81.8% | 10.9% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 2.7% | 0.36% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 78.8% | 13% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 3.2% | 0.29% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 77.6% | 15.5% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 0.34% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 79.4% | 13% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 0.35% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 82.3% | 11% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 2.2% | 0.3% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 79.4% | 13% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 0.35% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 79.2% | 12.9% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 2.6% | 0.35% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 78.5% | 12.8% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.35% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
How has the AP News and NewsBreak comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- AP News was ahead of NewsBreak in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AP News’ share of searches among news apps worldwide moved from 10.8% to 12.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.2M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NewsBreak’s share of searches among news apps worldwide held steady at 3.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 301K.
How did search popularity change for news apps worldwide in September 2026?
1 change

Estimated monthly branded searches for NewsBreak worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 368K to 301K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AP News’ and NewsBreak’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.
Other head-to-heads among news apps

Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.