Brandwave

How popular isAkai?

In September 2026, people searched for Akai by name about 240 times in New Zealand, a 29.4% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 18.9% of all New Zealand MIDI controller brand searches, placing Akai third out of five brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about MIDI controller brands, Akai appeared in all answers and was the second most recommended of the five.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Akai is the third most searched of 5 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.

  1. NovationShare of searches 30.7%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  2. Native InstrumentsShare of searches 25.2%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  3. AkaiShare of searches 18.9%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  4. ArturiaShare of searches 17.3%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  5. NektarShare of searches 7.9%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
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Top MIDI controller brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Akai appeared in all five answers. Akai is the second most recommended of the five.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Arturia1st
  2. Akai2nd
  3. Novation3rd
  4. Native Instruments4th
  5. Nektar5th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Akai5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Arturia5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Novation4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Nektar4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Native Instruments3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about MIDI controller brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Which MIDI controller brands compete with Akai?

Akai against MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Novation, Native Instruments, Akai, Arturia, Nektar. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNovationNative InstrumentsAkaiArturiaNektar
Oct 202529.6%29.6%21%16.7%3.1%
Nov 202526.2%32.2%15.3%21.9%4.4%
Dec 202526%32%18.7%18%5.3%
Jan 202617.2%47.3%14.5%17.7%3.2%
Feb 202624.5%37.1%16.4%17%5%
Mar 202636.2%23.9%17.8%17.2%4.9%
Apr 202631.6%25.7%20.4%17.8%4.6%
May 202629.6%29.6%20.4%16.7%3.7%
Jun 202632.2%26.2%18.1%18.1%5.4%
Jul 202629.3%29.3%17.3%20.3%3.8%
Aug 202628.3%28.3%18.1%19.6%5.8%
Sep 202630.7%25.2%18.9%17.3%7.9%

  1. 1.Novation

    30.7%

    Moved from 2nd to 1st. 390 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +2.4 points.

  2. 2.Native Instruments

    25.2%

    Moved from 1st to 2nd. 320 estimated branded searches, -17.9% vs prior month. Share -3.1 points.

  3. 3.Akai

    18.9%

    Moved from 4th to 3rd. 240 estimated branded searches, -4% vs prior month. Share +0.8 points.

  4. 4.Arturia

    17.3%

    Moved from 3rd to 4th. 220 estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -2.2 points.

  5. 5.Nektar

    7.9%

    Held 5th. 100 estimated branded searches, +25% vs prior month. Share +2.1 points.

Compare popularity between Akai and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Akai

9 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Akai changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Akai in New Zealand fell from 340 to 240.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Akai’s share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand decreased from 21% to 18.9%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Akai’s share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand peaked at 21% in October 2025 and was lowest at 14.5% in January 2026.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand MIDI controller brands in September 2026?

5 changes

  1. In September 2026, Novation overtook Native Instruments to become the leader among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, with 30.7% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Akai overtook Arturia to rank 3rd among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, with 18.9% of the searches.

  3. In September 2026, Nektar gained share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, from 5.8% to 7.9%.

  4. In September 2026, Native Instruments lost share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, from 28.3% to 25.2%.

  5. In September 2026, Arturia lost share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, from 19.6% to 17.3%.

How are Akai’s branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Akai’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • akai
  • akai midi controller

Do you work for Akai? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Akai compete?

Akai is ranked in two competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Drum machine brands3rd of 89.7%Show ranking
MIDI controller brands3rd of 518.9%Shown above
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Is Akai your brand?

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