Brandwave

Google News vs NewsBreak:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Google News had more branded searches than NewsBreak among news apps worldwide. Google News had about 7.5 million branded searches, while NewsBreak had 301,000. Google News made up 78.5% of all news app searches we track, and NewsBreak accounted for 3.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about news apps, Google News appeared in all five answers and NewsBreak in two. Google News was mentioned before NewsBreak in four out of five answers.

Among news apps worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google News, about 25 searches for every 1 for NewsBreak

Google News 7.5M searchesNewsBreak 301K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Google News, mentioned in every answer we collected

Google News in 5 of 5NewsBreak in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Google News, named ahead of NewsBreak in 4 of 5 answers

Google News first in 4NewsBreak first in 1

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Top news apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google 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. Google News was listed before NewsBreak in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Google News1st
  2. AP News2nd
  3. Ground News3rd
  4. Apple News4th
  5. NewsBreak5th
  6. Flipboard6th
  7. Feedly7th
  8. 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

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 Google News or NewsBreak more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Google News and NewsBreak by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight news apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Google News and NewsBreak among news apps worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Google News, NewsBreak. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGoogle NewsAP NewsNewsBreakApple NewsGround NewsSmartNewsFeedlyFlipboard
Oct 202580.6%10.8%3.2%1.8%3.2%0.36%0.01%<0.01%
Nov 202581.3%10.9%3.3%1.5%2.7%0.36%<0.01%<0.01%
Dec 202583.6%9.1%3.4%1.2%2.3%0.37%<0.01%<0.01%
Jan 202678.7%12.9%3.2%1.7%3.2%0.35%0.01%0.01%
Feb 202681.8%10.9%2.7%1.5%2.7%0.36%0.01%0.01%
Mar 202678.8%13%2.6%2.1%3.2%0.29%0.02%<0.01%
Apr 202677.6%15.5%2.6%1.4%2.6%0.34%0.02%<0.01%
May 202679.4%13%3.2%1.4%2.6%0.35%0.02%<0.01%
Jun 202682.3%11%2.7%1.5%2.2%0.3%0.02%<0.01%
Jul 202679.4%13%3.2%1.4%2.6%0.35%0.02%<0.01%
Aug 202679.2%12.9%3.2%1.7%2.6%0.35%0.02%<0.01%
Sep 202678.5%12.8%3.2%2.6%2.6%0.35%0.02%0.01%

How has the Google News and NewsBreak comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Google News was ahead of NewsBreak in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google News’ share of searches among news apps worldwide moved from 80.6% to 78.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.1M to 7.5M.
  • 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?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Google News lost share of searches among news apps worldwide, from 79.2% to 78.5%.

  2. 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 Google 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.

Google News

1 branded search term

  • google news

NewsBreak

1 branded search term

  • newsbreak

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among news apps

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