Brandwave

How popular isPentel?

In September 2026, people searched for Pentel by name about 740 times in New Zealand, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 2% of all New Zealand pen brand searches, placing Pentel fifth out of six brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pen brands, Pentel appeared in four of the five answers and was the fourth most recommended of the six.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Pentel is the fifth most searched of 6 competitors and the fourth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. Faber-CastellShare of searches 31.5%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  2. BICShare of searches 31%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  3. uni-ballShare of searches 19.3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  4. PilotShare of searches 14.2%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. PentelShare of searches 2%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th

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Top pen brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pentel was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Pentel is the fourth most recommended of the six.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. uni-ball1st
  2. Pilot2nd
  3. BIC3rd
  4. Pentel4th
  5. Zebra5th
  6. Faber-Castell–

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
  • Pentel4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • BIC3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Zebra3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Faber-Castell0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about pen brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

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

Which pen brands compete with Pentel?

Pentel against pen brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Faber-Castell, BIC, uni-ball, Pilot, Pentel. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFaber-CastellBICuni-ballPilotPentelZebra
Oct 202529.3%34.6%14.6%14.9%3.9%2.5%
Nov 202536.9%31.1%14%12.8%2.6%2.6%
Dec 202544.6%29.9%11.1%10.8%2.1%1.5%
Jan 202633.8%32.3%17%13.5%2.3%1.3%
Feb 202629.8%26.5%25.6%14.2%2.5%1.4%
Mar 202626.1%32.9%20%15.7%2.1%3.3%
Apr 202631.9%36.8%15.7%11.8%2.2%1.7%
May 202630.2%31.8%16.6%17.7%2%1.6%
Jun 202629.8%32.2%17.5%15.2%2.9%2.4%
Jul 202627.9%33.5%21.2%13.8%1.8%1.8%
Aug 202628%29.3%24.3%14.2%2.3%1.9%
Sep 202631.5%31%19.3%14.2%2%2%

  1. 1.Faber-Castell

    31.5%

    Moved from 2nd to 1st. 1.4K estimated branded searches, +6% vs prior month. Share +3.5 points.

  2. 2.BIC

    31%

    Moved from 1st to 2nd. 1.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.8 points.

  3. 3.uni-ball

    19.3%

    Held 3rd. 870 estimated branded searches, -25% vs prior month. Share -5 points.

  4. 4.Pilot

    14.2%

    Held 4th. 640 estimated branded searches, -5.9% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  5. 5.Pentel

    2%

    Held 5th. 90 estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.

  6. 6.Zebra

    2%

    Held 6th. 90 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

Compare popularity between Pentel and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Pentel

13 comparisons

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

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Pentel in New Zealand held steady, from 730 to 740.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pentel’s share of searches among pen brands in New Zealand decreased from 3.9% to 2%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pentel’s share of searches among pen brands in New Zealand peaked at 3.9% in October 2025 and was lowest at 1.8% in July 2026.

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

5 changes

  1. In September 2026, Faber-Castell overtook BIC to become the leader among pen brands in New Zealand, with 31.5% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, BIC gained share of searches among pen brands in New Zealand, from 29.3% to 31%.

  3. In September 2026, uni-ball lost share of searches among pen brands in New Zealand, from 24.3% to 19.3%.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Pilot in New Zealand rose 20.8% over 12 measured months, from 530 to 640 in September 2026.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Pentel in New Zealand fell 35.7% over 12 measured months, from 140 to 90 in September 2026.

How are Pentel’s branded searches counted?

17 search terms

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

  • pentel
  • pentel brush pen
  • pentel energel
  • pentel energel 0.5
  • pentel energel 0.7
  • pentel energel 0.7 refills
  • pentel energel liquid gel ink
  • pentel energel liquid gel ink 0.5
  • pentel energel liquid gel ink 0.7
  • pentel energel pens
  • pentel energel pens 0.7
  • pentel energel refill
  • pentel energel rtx
  • pentel graphgear 1000
  • pentel graphgear 500
  • pentel liquid gel ink
  • pentel pens

Do you work for Pentel? 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 Pentel compete?

Pentel 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
Art supply brands4th of 107.4%Show ranking
Pen brands5th of 62%Shown above
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is Pentel your brand?

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