Brandwave

Apple AirPods vs AKG:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Apple AirPods had more branded searches than AKG among earphones brands worldwide. Apple AirPods had about 14.9 million branded searches, while AKG had 90,500. Apple AirPods made up 64.8% of all earphones brand searches we track, and AKG accounted for 0.39%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about earphones brands, Apple AirPods appeared in four of the five answers and AKG in none.

Among earphones brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Apple AirPods, about 165 searches for every 1 for AKG

Apple AirPods 14.9M searchesAKG 90.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Apple AirPods, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, AKG in 0

Apple AirPods in 4 of 5AKG in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Apple AirPods, the only one of the two named

Apple AirPods first in 4AKG never named

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Top earphones brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple AirPods was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. AKG 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. Sony1st
  2. Samsung2nd
  3. Apple AirPods3rd
  4. Bose4th
  5. Soundcore5th
  6. JBL6th
  7. AKG–
  8. Marshall–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Apple AirPods4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sony4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Samsung4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Soundcore3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Bose3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • JBL2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • AKG0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Marshall0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about earphones brands

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 19, 2026.

Is Apple AirPods or AKG more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple AirPods and AKG by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight earphones brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Apple AirPods and AKG among earphones brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Apple AirPods, AKG. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthApple AirPodsJBLSonySoundcoreSamsungAKGBoseMarshall
Oct 202570.3%14.3%12.5%1.9%0.47%0.38%0.1%0.06%
Nov 202568.8%16.1%12.4%1.8%0.44%0.36%0.1%0.05%
Dec 202568.2%16.6%12.6%1.8%0.36%0.36%0.1%0.05%
Jan 202663.6%17.7%15.7%2%0.48%0.48%0.11%0.06%
Feb 202663%16.4%16.6%2.6%0.77%0.52%0.11%0.08%
Mar 202665.8%15.4%15.2%2.3%0.69%0.46%0.1%0.07%
Apr 202658.7%22.2%15.4%2.4%0.58%0.48%0.11%0.06%
May 202659.4%20.3%16.1%3%0.59%0.49%0.11%0.07%
Jun 202660.3%19.9%15.7%2.9%0.58%0.48%0.13%0.07%
Jul 202659%19.5%17.9%2.3%0.69%0.46%0.1%0.07%
Aug 202659.8%19%17.3%2.6%0.64%0.43%0.11%0.09%
Sep 202664.8%16.1%15.6%2.4%0.48%0.39%0.13%0.09%

How has the Apple AirPods and AKG comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Apple AirPods was ahead of AKG in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple AirPods’ share of searches among earphones brands worldwide moved from 70.3% to 64.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 16.6M to 14.9M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AKG’s share of searches among earphones brands worldwide moved from 0.38% to 0.39%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 90.5K.

How did search popularity change for earphones brands worldwide in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Apple AirPods gained share of searches among earphones brands worldwide, from 59.8% to 64.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple AirPods’ and AKG’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.

Apple AirPods

4 branded search terms

  • airpods
  • airpods 4
  • airpods pro
  • airpods pro 3

AKG

1 branded search term

  • akg

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among earphones brands

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