Betadine vs Ricola:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Betadine had more branded searches than Ricola among throat lozenge brands worldwide. Betadine had about 673,000 branded searches, while Ricola had 110,000. Betadine made up 40.1% of all throat lozenge brand searches we track, and Ricola accounted for 6.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about throat lozenge brands, Ricola appeared in all five answers and Betadine in none.
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Top throat lozenge brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ricola appeared in all five answers. Betadine did not appear in any of the five answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
See every answer about throat lozenge brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which throat lozenge brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best throat lozenge brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best throat lozenge brand for a sore throat?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sore throat lozenges”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best throat lozenge”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Betadine or Ricola more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Betadine and Ricola by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four throat lozenge brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Betadine, Ricola. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Strepsils | Betadine | Ricola | Difflam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.8% | 39.1% | 7.8% | 5.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 48.3% | 39.5% | 7.9% | 4.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.8% | 39.1% | 7.8% | 5.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 48.3% | 39.5% | 7.9% | 4.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.8% | 39.1% | 7.8% | 5.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 44% | 44% | 7.2% | 4.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 45% | 45% | 6% | 4% |
| May 2026 | 45% | 45% | 6% | 4% |
| Jun 2026 | 45% | 45% | 6% | 4% |
| Jul 2026 | 45% | 45% | 6% | 4% |
| Aug 2026 | 45% | 45% | 6% | 4% |
| Sep 2026 | 49% | 40.1% | 6.5% | 4.4% |
How has the Betadine and Ricola comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Betadine was ahead of Ricola in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Betadine’s share of searches among throat lozenge brands worldwide moved from 39.1% to 40.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 673K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ricola’s share of searches among throat lozenge brands worldwide moved from 7.8% to 6.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
How did search popularity change for throat lozenge brands worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Strepsils overtook Betadine to become the leader among throat lozenge brands worldwide, with 49% of the searches.
In September 2026, Ricola gained share of searches among throat lozenge brands worldwide, from 6% to 6.5%.
In September 2026, Betadine lost share of searches among throat lozenge brands worldwide, from 45% to 40.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Betadine’s and Ricola’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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