Ricola vs Strepsils:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Strepsils had more branded searches than Ricola among throat lozenge brands worldwide. Strepsils had about 823,000 branded searches, while Ricola had 110,000. Strepsils made up 49% 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 Strepsils in one.
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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. Strepsils was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews.
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 Ricola or Strepsils more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ricola and Strepsils 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 Strepsils, 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 Ricola and Strepsils comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Strepsils was ahead of Ricola in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Strepsils’ share of searches among throat lozenge brands worldwide moved from 47.8% to 49%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
How did search popularity change for throat lozenge brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 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%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ricola’s and Strepsils’ 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 throat lozenge brands
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