Hi-Chew vs Skittles:Which is more popular?
In October 2026, Skittles had more branded searches than Hi-Chew among candy brands worldwide. Skittles had about 550,000 branded searches, while Hi-Chew had 110,000. Skittles made up 20% of all candy brand searches we track, and Hi-Chew accounted for 4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about candy brands, Skittles appeared in three of the five answers and Hi-Chew in one. Skittles was mentioned before Hi-Chew in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Skittles, about 5 searches for every 1 for Hi-Chew
Who does AI mention more?
Skittles, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Hi-Chew in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Skittles, named ahead of Hi-Chew in 3 of 3 answers
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Top candy brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Skittles was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Hi-Chew was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Skittles was listed before Hi-Chew in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Sour Patch Kids1st
Haribo2nd- Skittles3rd
Nerds4th
Jolly Rancher5th
Warheads6th
Starburst7th
Trolli8th
Mike and Ike9th- +1 more
Hi-Chew11th- +4 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Sour Patch Kids5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Haribo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Skittles3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Nerds2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Jolly Rancher2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Mike and Ike2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Warheads2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Starburst2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Airheads2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Hi-Chew1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about candy brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best candy brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which sour candy should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the most popular candy right now?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“candy brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best candy”
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 26, 2026.
Is Hi-Chew or Skittles more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hi-Chew and Skittles by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 candy brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Skittles, Hi-Chew. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Haribo | Skittles | Sour Patch Kids | Nerds | Jolly Rancher | Twizzlers | Hi-Chew | Swedish Fish | Jelly Belly | Mike and Ike | Trolli | Warheads | Starburst | Airheads | Maynards Bassetts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 23.2% | 18.9% | 10.4% | 11.6% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.05% |
| Dec 2025 | 23.8% | 19.4% | 10.6% | 9.7% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.06% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.7% | 20.2% | 11% | 8.8% | 9% | 4.9% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.06% |
| Feb 2026 | 24.4% | 20% | 10.9% | 10% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 4% | 3.3% | 4% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.99% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 23.8% | 19.5% | 10.7% | 9.8% | 8.7% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.96% | 0.06% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.2% | 19.8% | 10.8% | 8.6% | 8.9% | 4.8% | 4% | 4% | 4.8% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.98% | 0.06% |
| May 2026 | 23.6% | 19.3% | 10.6% | 9.7% | 8.6% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 3.9% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.95% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 23.4% | 19.2% | 10.5% | 9.6% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.1% | 3.9% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.07% |
| Jul 2026 | 23% | 18.8% | 10.3% | 10% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 0.05% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.7% | 21.7% | 9.7% | 8.9% | 9.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.06% |
| Sep 2026 | 20.8% | 20.8% | 11.4% | 8.5% | 9.3% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1% | 0.05% |
| Oct 2026 | 20% | 20% | 13.4% | 9.5% | 9% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.05% |
How has branded search for Hi-Chew and Skittles changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Skittles was ahead of Hi-Chew in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Hi-Chew’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide moved from 3.8% to 4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 110K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Skittles’ share of searches among candy brands worldwide moved from 18.9% to 20%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 550K.
How did search popularity change for candy brands worldwide in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Skittles lost share of searches among candy brands worldwide, from 20.8% to 20%.
Hi-Chew’s share of searches among candy brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 4.6% to 4% in October 2026.
How are Hi-Chew’s and Skittles’ branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hi-Chew’s and Skittles’ 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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