NyQuil vs Vicks:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Vicks had more branded searches than NyQuil among cold and flu brands worldwide. Vicks had about 1.1 million branded searches, while NyQuil had 301,000. Vicks made up 24.8% of all cold and flu brand searches we track, and NyQuil accounted for 6.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cold and flu brands, NyQuil appeared in three of the five answers and Vicks in one. NyQuil was mentioned before Vicks in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Vicks, about 4 searches for every 1 for NyQuil
Who does AI mention more?
NyQuil, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Vicks in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
NyQuil, named ahead of Vicks in 2 of 3 answers
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Top cold and flu brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, NyQuil was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Vicks was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. NyQuil was listed before Vicks in two out of three 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.
Mucinex4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tylenol3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sudafed3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- NyQuil3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- DayQuil3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Vicks1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Strepsils0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Difflam0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Coldrex0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cold and flu brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cold and flu brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cold and flu brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cold and flu brand for cold symptoms?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best cold medicine”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sore throat relief”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is NyQuil or Vicks more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for NyQuil and Vicks by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine cold and flu brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Vicks, NyQuil. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Vicks | Tylenol | Strepsils | Mucinex | Sudafed | NyQuil | DayQuil | Difflam | Coldrex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 26.9% | 28.9% | 15.8% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 24.5% | 25.4% | 17.1% | 11.4% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1% |
| Dec 2025 | 26% | 18.6% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 10.2% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 26% | 22.7% | 15.3% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 6.8% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.3% | 22.1% | 14.9% | 12.2% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.2% | 22.9% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.3% | 25.9% | 17.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.86% |
| May 2026 | 23.7% | 23.1% | 18.9% | 12.7% | 10.3% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.76% |
| Jun 2026 | 26.2% | 25% | 20.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 5% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.55% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.2% | 25% | 20.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 5% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.55% |
| Aug 2026 | 25% | 26.8% | 18% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.59% |
| Sep 2026 | 24.8% | 21.7% | 17.9% | 12% | 9.8% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
How has the NyQuil and Vicks comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Vicks was ahead of NyQuil in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NyQuil’s share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide moved from 4.7% to 6.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 301K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vicks’ share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide moved from 26.9% to 24.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4M to 1.1M.
How did search popularity change for cold and flu brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, NyQuil gained share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide, from 5.4% to 6.5%.
Vicks’ share of searches among cold and flu brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 26.2% to 24.8% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using NyQuil’s and Vicks’ 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.
Other head-to-heads among cold and flu brands
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