Brandwave

How popular isApple Podcasts?

In September 2026, people searched for Apple Podcasts by name about 880 times in New Zealand, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 0.13% of all New Zealand podcast and radio app searches, placing Apple Podcasts fifth out of seven apps. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about podcast and radio apps, Apple Podcasts appeared in three of the five answers and was the sixth most recommended of the seven.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Apple Podcasts is the fifth most searched of 7 competitors and the sixth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. RNZShare of searches 52.3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  2. SpotifyShare of searches 44%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  3. iHeartRadioShare of searches 2.3%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  4. rovaShare of searches 1.1%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  5. Apple PodcastsShare of searches 0.13%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th

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Top podcast and radio apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple Podcasts was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple Podcasts is the sixth most recommended of the seven.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. RNZ1st
  2. Spotify2nd
  3. rova3rd
  4. Pocket Casts4th
  5. iHeartRadio5th
  6. Apple Podcasts6th
  7. Overcast7th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • RNZ4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Spotify4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • iHeartRadio3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • rova3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple Podcasts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Pocket Casts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Overcast1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about podcast and radio apps

5 answers

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

Which podcast and radio apps compete with Apple Podcasts?

Apple Podcasts against podcast and radio apps in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for RNZ, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRNZSpotifyiHeartRadiorovaApple PodcastsOvercastPocket Casts
Oct 202552.1%43.8%2.8%1%0.13%0.06%0.03%
Nov 202547.1%48.4%3%1.3%0.16%0.05%0.03%
Dec 202551.6%43.9%3.3%1%0.15%0.05%0.04%
Jan 202660.8%34.9%3.3%0.8%0.15%0.05%0.04%
Feb 202647.2%48.7%3.1%0.76%0.17%0.05%0.03%
Mar 202647.5%48.9%2.7%0.72%0.14%0.04%0.03%
Apr 202656.5%39.3%3.1%0.94%0.14%0.04%0.03%
May 202647.3%49.2%2.6%0.72%0.13%0.03%0.03%
Jun 202642.3%54%2.7%0.78%0.14%0.04%0.03%
Jul 202656.1%39.9%3%0.69%0.15%0.04%0.03%
Aug 202652%44.2%2.8%0.78%0.13%0.04%0.03%
Sep 202652.3%44%2.3%1.1%0.13%0.04%0.03%

  1. 1.RNZ

    52.3%

    Held 1st. 368K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.

  2. 2.Spotify

    44%

    Held 2nd. 310K estimated branded searches, -1.1% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  3. 3.iHeartRadio

    2.3%

    Held 3rd. 16.4K estimated branded searches, -18% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.

  4. 4.rova

    1.1%

    Held 4th. 8.1K estimated branded searches, +45.6% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.

  5. 5.Apple Podcasts

    0.13%

    Held 5th. 880 estimated branded searches, -2.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  6. 6.Overcast

    0.04%

    Held 6th. 270 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  7. 7.Pocket Casts

    0.03%

    Held 7th. 180 estimated branded searches, -14.3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Apple Podcasts and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Apple Podcasts

6 comparisons

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

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Apple Podcasts in New Zealand held steady, from 890 to 880.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Podcasts’ share of searches among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand held steady at 0.13%.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand podcast and radio apps in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Overcast in New Zealand fell 32.5% over 12 measured months, from 400 to 270 in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for iHeartRadio in New Zealand fell 16.1% over 12 measured months, from 19.6K to 16.4K in September 2026.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Pocket Casts in New Zealand fell 14.3% over 12 measured months, from 210 to 180 in September 2026.

How are Apple Podcasts’ branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Podcasts’ 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.

  • apple podcasts
  • apple podcasts listen
  • apple podcasts podcasts
  • applepodcasts

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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

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