How popular isErnie Ball?
In September 2026, people searched for Ernie Ball by name about 350 times in New Zealand, a 25% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 36.1% of all New Zealand guitar string brand searches, placing Ernie Ball second out of four brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about guitar string brands, Ernie Ball appeared in all answers and was the second most recommended of the four.
Ernie Ball is the second most searched of 4 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.
D'AddarioShare of searches 41.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Ernie BallShare of searches 36.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Elixir StringsShare of searches 16.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
MartinShare of searches 6.2%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top guitar string brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ernie Ball appeared in all five answers. Ernie Ball is the second most recommended of the four.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- D'Addario1st
- Ernie Ball2nd
- Elixir Strings3rd
- Martin4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- D'Addario5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ernie Ball5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Elixir Strings5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Martin4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about guitar string brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which guitar string brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best guitar string brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best guitar string brand in New Zealand for a new string set?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best guitar strings”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“electric guitar strings nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which guitar string brands compete with Ernie Ball?
Share of searches by month for D'Addario, Ernie Ball, Elixir Strings, Martin. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | D'Addario | Ernie Ball | Elixir Strings | Martin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 49.5% | 28.3% | 14.1% | 8.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 46% | 28% | 16% | 10% |
| Dec 2025 | 46% | 28% | 20% | 6% |
| Jan 2026 | 50% | 30.4% | 15.2% | 4.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.4% | 35.4% | 18.2% | 6.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 30.4% | 24.3% | 40% | 5.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 26.4% | 39.7% | 28.9% | 5% |
| May 2026 | 32% | 45.6% | 17.6% | 4.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.2% | 36.1% | 18.6% | 4.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.8% | 34.3% | 18.5% | 7.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.4% | 31.8% | 14% | 10.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.2% | 36.1% | 16.5% | 6.2% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 41.2% | 400 | -28.6% | -2.2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 36.1% | 350 | -14.6% | +4.3 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 16.5% | 160 | -11.1% | +2.5 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 6.2% | 60 | -57.1% | -4.7 points |
41.2%
Held 1st. 400 estimated branded searches, -28.6% vs prior month. Share -2.2 points.
36.1%
Held 2nd. 350 estimated branded searches, -14.6% vs prior month. Share +4.3 points.
16.5%
Held 3rd. 160 estimated branded searches, -11.1% vs prior month. Share +2.5 points.
4.
Martin6.2%
Held 4th. 60 estimated branded searches, -57.1% vs prior month. Share -4.7 points.
Compare popularity between Ernie Ball and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Ernie Ball
3 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Ernie Ball changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Ernie Ball in New Zealand rose from 280 to 350.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ernie Ball’s share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand increased from 28.3% to 36.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ernie Ball’s share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand peaked at 45.6% in May 2026 and was lowest at 24.3% in March 2026.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand guitar string brands in September 2026?
4 changes
In September 2026, Ernie Ball gained share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 31.8% to 36.1%.
In September 2026, Elixir Strings gained share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 14% to 16.5%.
In September 2026, Martin lost share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 10.9% to 6.2%.
In September 2026, D'Addario lost share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 43.4% to 41.2%.
How are Ernie Ball’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ernie Ball’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.
- ernie ball
- ernie ball strings
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