Mountain Dew vs Pepsi:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pepsi had more branded searches than Mountain Dew among soft drink brands worldwide. Pepsi had about 823,000 branded searches, while Mountain Dew had 550,000. Pepsi made up 11.4% of all soft drink brand searches we track, and Mountain Dew accounted for 7.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about soft drink brands, Pepsi appeared in all five answers and Mountain Dew in three. Pepsi was mentioned before Mountain Dew in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Pepsi, about 50% more searches than Mountain Dew
Who does AI mention more?
Pepsi, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Pepsi, named ahead of Mountain Dew in every answer
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Top soft drink brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pepsi appeared in all five answers. Mountain Dew was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Pepsi was listed before Mountain Dew in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Coca-Cola1st
Dr Pepper2nd
Sprite3rd- Pepsi4th
- Fanta5th
Mountain Dew6th
7Up7th- Schweppes8th
Canada Dry8th
Bundaberg–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Coca-Cola5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Pepsi5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Dr Pepper5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sprite5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- 7Up5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Mountain Dew3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fanta3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Schweppes3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Canada Dry2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Bundaberg0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about soft drink brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which soft drink brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best soft drink brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best soft drink brand for everyday drinks?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“soft drink brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“soda brands”
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 Mountain Dew or Pepsi more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mountain Dew and Pepsi by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten soft drink brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Pepsi, Mountain Dew. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Coca-Cola | Pepsi | Dr Pepper | Sprite | Mountain Dew | Fanta | Schweppes | 7Up | Canada Dry | Bundaberg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.2% | 11.7% | 11.7% | 9.5% | 5.2% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.6% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 8.8% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 2.6% | 1.8% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.2% | 10.6% | 10.6% | 10.6% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 8.7% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.3% | 13% | 10.6% | 10.6% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 42.6% | 13.4% | 11% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.9% | 11.8% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 5.3% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 44.3% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 60.9% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 62.6% | 7.8% | 5.2% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 0.86% |
| Jul 2026 | 53.2% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 8% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 47.2% | 10.2% | 8.4% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.3% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 7.6% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
How has the Mountain Dew and Pepsi comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Pepsi was ahead of Mountain Dew in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mountain Dew’s share of searches among soft drink brands worldwide moved from 5.2% to 7.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 550K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pepsi’s share of searches among soft drink brands worldwide moved from 11.7% to 11.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
How did search popularity change for soft drink brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Pepsi gained share of searches among soft drink brands worldwide, from 10.2% to 11.4%.
In September 2026, Mountain Dew gained share of searches among soft drink brands worldwide, from 6.8% to 7.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mountain Dew’s and Pepsi’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.
Mountain Dew
1 branded search term
- mountain dew
Pepsi
1 branded search term
- pepsi
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