How popular isMAC?
In September 2026, people searched for MAC by name about 30 times in New Zealand, a 40% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 1.4% of all New Zealand chef knife brand searches, placing MAC sixth out of six brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about chef knife brands, MAC appeared in three of the five answers and was the third most recommended of the six.
MAC is the sixth most searched of 6 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.
VictorinoxShare of searches 45.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
WusthofShare of searches 23.6%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
GLOBALShare of searches 17.7%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
ZWILLINGShare of searches 7.7%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th- MACShare of searches 1.4%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Follow MAC and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top chef knife brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, MAC was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MAC is the third most recommended of the six.
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.
Victorinox5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Wusthof5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Shun4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- MAC3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
ZWILLING1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
GLOBAL0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about chef knife brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which chef knife brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best chef knife brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best chef knife brand in New Zealand for everyday kitchen use?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best chef knife”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“kitchen knife brand”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Which chef knife brands compete with MAC?
Share of searches by month for Victorinox, Wusthof, GLOBAL, ZWILLING, Shun, MAC. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Victorinox | Wusthof | GLOBAL | ZWILLING | Shun | MAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.6% | 17% | 19.4% | 6.9% | 2% | 2% |
| Nov 2025 | 45.9% | 21.2% | 20.8% | 7.4% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.2% | 19.4% | 18.2% | 8% | 4.3% | 0.92% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.8% | 19.9% | 18.4% | 6.5% | 3.4% | 1.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.1% | 22.5% | 17.1% | 7.5% | 3.7% | 2.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.5% | 24.2% | 14.9% | 7.9% | 5.1% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 47.6% | 22.4% | 15.2% | 10% | 3.3% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 49.3% | 21.7% | 15.8% | 8.4% | 3.4% | 1.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 47.6% | 18.6% | 18.6% | 10% | 4.3% | 0.95% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.9% | 25% | 19.9% | 7.1% | 2.4% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.5% | 26.4% | 19.7% | 5.7% | 3% | 1.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.5% | 23.6% | 17.7% | 7.7% | 4.1% | 1.4% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 45.5% | 1K | -23.1% | +2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 23.6% | 520 | -34.2% | -2.8 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 17.7% | 390 | -33.9% | -2 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 7.7% | 170 | 0% | +2 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 4.1% | 90 | 0% | +1.1 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 1.4% | 30 | -40% | -0.3 points |
45.5%
Held 1st. 1K estimated branded searches, -23.1% vs prior month. Share +2 points.
2.
Wusthof23.6%
Held 2nd. 520 estimated branded searches, -34.2% vs prior month. Share -2.8 points.
3.
GLOBAL17.7%
Held 3rd. 390 estimated branded searches, -33.9% vs prior month. Share -2 points.
4.
ZWILLING7.7%
Held 4th. 170 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +2 points.
5.
Shun4.1%
Held 5th. 90 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.1 points.
6.MAC
1.4%
Held 6th. 30 estimated branded searches, -40% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
Compare popularity between MAC and its closest rivals
How has branded search demand for MAC changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
4 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for MAC in New Zealand fell from 50 to 30.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MAC’s share of searches among chef knife brands in New Zealand decreased from 2% to 1.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MAC’s share of searches among chef knife brands in New Zealand peaked at 2.1% in February 2026 and was lowest at 0.92% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MAC fell from 5th to 6th among chef knife brands in New Zealand.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand chef knife brands in September 2026?
6 changes

In September 2026, ZWILLING gained share of searches among chef knife brands in New Zealand, from 5.7% to 7.7%.

In September 2026, Victorinox gained share of searches among chef knife brands in New Zealand, from 43.5% to 45.5%.

In September 2026, Shun gained share of searches among chef knife brands in New Zealand, from 3% to 4.1%.

In September 2026, Wusthof lost share of searches among chef knife brands in New Zealand, from 26.4% to 23.6%.

In September 2026, GLOBAL lost share of searches among chef knife brands in New Zealand, from 19.7% to 17.7%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for MAC in New Zealand fell 40% over 12 measured months, from 50 to 30 in September 2026.
How are MAC’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MAC’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- mac knives
Do you work for MAC? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

Is MAC 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.