How popular isBIC?
In September 2026, people searched for BIC by name about 1,670 times in New Zealand, a 12.8% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 26.3% of all New Zealand ballpoint pen brand searches, placing BIC second out of five brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about ballpoint pen brands, BIC appeared in three of the five answers and was the third most recommended of the five.
BIC is the second most searched of 5 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.
Faber-CastellShare of searches 26.6%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
BICShare of searches 26.3%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
ParkerShare of searches 18.8%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
uni-ballShare of searches 16.3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
PilotShare of searches 12%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
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Top ballpoint pen brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, BIC was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. BIC is the third most recommended of the five.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
uni-ball1st
Pilot2nd
BIC3rd
Parker4th
Faber-Castell5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
uni-ball4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Pilot4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
BIC3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Parker3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Faber-Castell2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about ballpoint pen brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which ballpoint pen brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best ballpoint pen brand in New Zealand for everyday writing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pens nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cheap pens nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Which ballpoint pen brands compete with BIC?
Share of searches by month for Faber-Castell, BIC, Parker, uni-ball, Pilot. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Faber-Castell | BIC | Parker | uni-ball | Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.8% | 29.3% | 21% | 12.4% | 12.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 30.7% | 25.8% | 21.3% | 11.6% | 10.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.3% | 23.7% | 23.7% | 8.8% | 8.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 29.5% | 28.2% | 15.7% | 14.8% | 11.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.7% | 22.8% | 17.3% | 22.1% | 12.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 22.6% | 28.5% | 17.9% | 17.3% | 13.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 28% | 32.3% | 15.5% | 13.8% | 10.3% |
| May 2026 | 26% | 27.3% | 17.2% | 14.3% | 15.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 25.3% | 27.3% | 19.6% | 14.9% | 12.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 23.4% | 28.2% | 18.9% | 17.8% | 11.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 24% | 25.1% | 17.9% | 20.8% | 12.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.6% | 26.3% | 18.8% | 16.3% | 12% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, moved from 2nd to 1st | 26.6% | 1.4K | +6% | +2.6 pointsmoved from 2nd to 1st | |
| 2, moved from 1st to 2nd | 26.3% | 1.4K | 0% | +1.2 pointsmoved from 1st to 2nd | |
| 3, moved from 4th to 3rd | 18.8% | 1K | 0% | +0.8 pointsmoved from 4th to 3rd | |
| 4, moved from 3rd to 4th | 16.3% | 870 | -25% | -4.5 pointsmoved from 3rd to 4th | |
| 5, held 5th | 12% | 640 | -5.9% | -0.2 points |
26.6%
Moved from 2nd to 1st. 1.4K estimated branded searches, +6% vs prior month. Share +2.6 points.
2.
BIC26.3%
Moved from 1st to 2nd. 1.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.2 points.
3.
Parker18.8%
Moved from 4th to 3rd. 1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.8 points.
4.
uni-ball16.3%
Moved from 3rd to 4th. 870 estimated branded searches, -25% vs prior month. Share -4.5 points.
5.
Pilot12%
Held 5th. 640 estimated branded searches, -5.9% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
Compare popularity between BIC and its closest rivals
Every comparison with BIC
11 comparisons
How has branded search demand for BIC changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
4 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for BIC in New Zealand rose from 1.5K to 1.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BIC’s share of searches among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand decreased from 29.3% to 26.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BIC’s share of searches among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand peaked at 32.3% in April 2026 and was lowest at 22.8% in February 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BIC fell from 1st to 2nd among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand ballpoint pen brands in September 2026?
5 changes

In September 2026, Faber-Castell overtook BIC to become the leader among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand, with 26.6% of the searches.

In September 2026, Parker overtook uni-ball to rank 3rd among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand, with 18.8% of the searches.

In September 2026, BIC gained share of searches among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand, from 25.1% to 26.3%.

In September 2026, uni-ball lost share of searches among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand, from 20.8% to 16.3%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Pilot in New Zealand rose 20.8% over 12 measured months, from 530 to 640 in September 2026.
How are BIC’s branded searches counted?
10 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BIC’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.
- bic ballpoint pens
- bic cristal pens
- bic gelocity pens
- bic highlighters
- bic lighter
- bic markers
- bic pen
- bic pen clic
- bic pencils
- bic whiteboard pens
Do you work for BIC? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does BIC compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pen and stationery brands | 2nd of 10 | 18.9% | Show ranking |
| Ballpoint pen brands | 2nd of 5 | 26.3% | Shown above |
| Pen brands | 2nd of 6 | 31% | Show ranking |

Is BIC your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.