Brandwave

BIC vs Sharpie:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, BIC had more branded searches than Sharpie among stationery worldwide. BIC had about 503,000 branded searches, while Sharpie had 165,000. BIC made up 42.2% of all stationery searches we track, and Sharpie accounted for 13.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stationery, BIC appeared in one of the five answers and Sharpie in none.

Among stationery worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

BIC, about 3 searches for every 1 for Sharpie

BIC 503K searchesSharpie 165K searches

Who does AI mention more?

BIC, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, Sharpie in 0

BIC in 1 of 5Sharpie in 0 of 5

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Top stationery in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, BIC was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Sharpie did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Muji1st
  2. Leuchtturm19172nd
  3. Midori2nd
  4. BIC4th
  5. Staedtler5th
  6. Rhodia5th
  7. Moleskine–
  8. Sharpie–
  9. Paper Mate–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Muji4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Leuchtturm19173 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Midori2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Rhodia2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • BIC1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Staedtler1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Moleskine0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sharpie0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Paper Mate0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about stationery

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 21, 2026.

Is BIC or Sharpie more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for BIC and Sharpie by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine stationery we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

BIC and Sharpie among stationery worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for BIC, Sharpie. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthBICMoleskineSharpieLeuchtturm1917StaedtlerMujiPaper MateMidoriRhodia
Oct 202541.5%17.5%14.3%7.9%7.9%4.3%2.9%1.9%1.9%
Nov 202538.9%20%13.4%8.9%6%6%2.7%2.2%1.8%
Dec 202535.7%22.3%12.2%12.2%5.5%5.5%2.5%2.5%1.6%
Jan 202637.2%18.6%12.5%12.5%6.8%4.6%3.1%3%1.7%
Feb 202640.8%16.4%13.4%9%7.3%4.9%4%2.4%1.8%
Mar 202642.2%14.6%17.7%6.5%6.5%5.3%2.9%2.2%2%
Apr 202644.8%15.4%15.4%6.9%5.7%4.6%3.1%2.3%1.7%
May 202641.4%16.6%16.6%7.5%6.1%5%2.7%2.2%1.8%
Jun 202642.2%17.3%14.2%7.8%6.4%5.2%2.8%2.1%1.9%
Jul 202641.1%16.9%13.8%9.2%6.2%5.1%3.4%2.5%1.8%
Aug 202640.7%16.3%13.4%8.9%6%6%4%2.9%1.8%
Sep 202642.2%16.9%13.8%7.6%6.2%5.1%3.4%3%1.9%

How has the BIC and Sharpie comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • BIC was ahead of Sharpie in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BIC’s share of searches among stationery worldwide moved from 41.5% to 42.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 478K to 503K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sharpie’s share of searches among stationery worldwide moved from 14.3% to 13.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 165K.

How did search popularity change for stationery worldwide in September 2026?

1 change
  1. In September 2026, BIC gained share of searches among stationery worldwide, from 40.7% to 42.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BIC’s and Sharpie’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.

BIC

3 branded search terms

  • bic
  • bic lighter
  • bic pen

Sharpie

1 branded search term

  • sharpie

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among stationery

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