Pilot vs Platinum:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pilot had more branded searches than Platinum among fountain pen brands worldwide. Pilot had about 173,000 branded searches, while Platinum had 3,600. Pilot made up 27.3% of all fountain pen brand searches we track, and Platinum accounted for 0.57%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fountain pen brands, Pilot appeared in all five answers and Platinum in four. Pilot was mentioned before Platinum in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Pilot, about 48 searches for every 1 for Platinum
Who does AI mention more?
Pilot, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Pilot, named ahead of Platinum in 4 of 5 answers
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Top fountain pen brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pilot appeared in all five answers. Platinum was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Pilot was listed before Platinum in four out of five answers.
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.
- Pilot5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Lamy5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Platinum4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Montblanc2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- TWSBI2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sailor2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Kaweco1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Parker0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about fountain pen brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which fountain pen brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best fountain pen brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best fountain pen brand for smooth everyday writing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best fountain pen”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“fountain pen for beginners”
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 21, 2026.
Is Pilot or Platinum more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Pilot and Platinum by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight fountain pen brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Pilot, Platinum. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Parker | Pilot | Kaweco | Lamy | Montblanc | TWSBI | Sailor | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.2% | 29.7% | 8.5% | 10.4% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 40.8% | 29% | 10% | 10% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 0.59% |
| Dec 2025 | 42.4% | 27.9% | 8.5% | 10.4% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.6% | 29.3% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 2% | 0.71% |
| Feb 2026 | 41% | 30.2% | 8.3% | 10.1% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.59% |
| Mar 2026 | 41% | 28.8% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 2% | 0.59% |
| Apr 2026 | 36.7% | 33.9% | 9% | 9% | 4.9% | 4% | 1.8% | 0.65% |
| May 2026 | 36.6% | 33.7% | 9% | 9% | 4.9% | 4% | 2.2% | 0.64% |
| Jun 2026 | 44.1% | 30.1% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 4% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 0.64% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.6% | 29.8% | 7.2% | 10.7% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 0.51% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.3% | 30.4% | 8.3% | 10.2% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.5% | 27.3% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 0.57% |
How has the Pilot and Platinum comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Pilot was ahead of Platinum in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pilot’s share of searches among fountain pen brands worldwide moved from 29.7% to 27.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 142K to 173K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Platinum’s share of searches among fountain pen brands worldwide moved from 0.5% to 0.57%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 3.6K.
How did search popularity change for fountain pen brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Pilot lost share of searches among fountain pen brands worldwide, from 30.4% to 27.3%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Platinum worldwide rose 50% over 12 measured months, from 2.4K to 3.6K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pilot’s and Platinum’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.
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