Hooked on Phonics vs Libby:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Libby had more branded searches than Hooked on Phonics among reading apps worldwide. Libby had about 550,000 branded searches, while Hooked on Phonics had 90,500. Libby made up 9.4% of all reading app searches we track, and Hooked on Phonics accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about reading apps, Libby appeared in three of the five answers and Hooked on Phonics in one. Libby was mentioned before Hooked on Phonics in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Libby, about 6 searches for every 1 for Hooked on Phonics
Who does AI mention more?
Libby, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Hooked on Phonics in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Libby, named ahead of Hooked on Phonics in 3 of 4 answers
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Top reading apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Libby was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Hooked on Phonics was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Libby was listed before Hooked on Phonics in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Kindle3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Libby3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Apple Books3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Reading Eggs2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Teach Your Monster to Read2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- The StoryGraph2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Hooked on Phonics1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Duolingo ABC1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Epic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Raz-Kids0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about reading apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which reading app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best reading apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best reading app for early literacy?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“reading apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“learn to read app”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Hooked on Phonics or Libby more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hooked on Phonics and Libby by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten reading apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Libby, Hooked on Phonics. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Kindle | Epic | Libby | Reading Eggs | Raz-Kids | Hooked on Phonics | Apple Books | Teach Your Monster to Read | Duolingo ABC | The StoryGraph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55.1% | 9% | 9% | 11.1% | 11.1% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.3% | 0.24% |
| Nov 2025 | 63.4% | 7% | 7% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.94% | 0.23% | 0.19% |
| Dec 2025 | 69.6% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.84% | 0.25% | 0.38% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.7% | 6.9% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 8.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.28% | 0.51% |
| Feb 2026 | 59.9% | 8.1% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 8.1% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.26% | 0.26% |
| Mar 2026 | 58.4% | 7.8% | 9.6% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.26% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 62.2% | 6.8% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 1.1% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.22% | 0.27% |
| May 2026 | 61.7% | 6.8% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.91% | 0.27% | 0.27% |
| Jun 2026 | 69% | 3.4% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 5.1% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.68% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 74.4% | 1.1% | 10% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.49% | 0.33% | 0.33% |
| Aug 2026 | 65.4% | 7.2% | 10.7% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.79% | 0.29% | 0.35% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.4% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.38% | 0.25% |
How has the Hooked on Phonics and Libby comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Libby was ahead of Hooked on Phonics in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hooked on Phonics’ share of searches among reading apps worldwide moved from 1.5% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 90.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Libby’s share of searches among reading apps worldwide moved from 9% to 9.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 550K.
How did search popularity change for reading apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Epic overtook Libby to rank 2nd among reading apps worldwide, with 11.5% of the searches.
In September 2026, Libby lost share of searches among reading apps worldwide, from 10.7% to 9.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hooked on Phonics’ and Libby’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.
Hooked on Phonics
1 branded search term
- hooked on phonics
Libby
1 branded search term
- libby
Other head-to-heads among reading apps
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