Brandwave

How popular isStihl?

In September 2026, people searched for Stihl by name about 14,300 times in New Zealand, an 11.8% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 46.2% of all New Zealand brush cutter brand searches, placing Stihl second out of five brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about brush cutter brands, Stihl appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the five.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Stihl is the second most searched of 5 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. MakitaShare of searches 52.9%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  2. StihlShare of searches 46.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. ECHOShare of searches 0.72%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  4. BoschShare of searches 0.07%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. GreenworksShare of searches 0.07%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top brush cutter brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Stihl appeared in all five answers. Stihl is the most recommended of the five.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Stihl1st
  2. ECHO2nd
  3. Makita3rd
  4. Greenworks4th
  5. Bosch–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Stihl5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • ECHO3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Makita2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Greenworks1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Bosch0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about brush cutter brands

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which brush cutter brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Makita
    3. 3ECHO

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best brush cutter brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2ECHO
    3. 3Makita

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best brush cutter brand in New Zealand for thick weeds?”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2ECHO

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best brush cutter”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Greenworks

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “brush cutter for weeds”

    1. 1Stihl

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 brush cutter brands compete with Stihl?

Stihl against brush cutter brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Makita, Stihl. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMakitaStihlECHOBoschGreenworks
Oct 202548.2%51%0.66%0.07%0.07%
Nov 202543.5%55.5%0.73%0.13%0.07%
Dec 202543.7%55.4%0.73%0.07%0.07%
Jan 202643.6%55.6%0.59%0.13%0.07%
Feb 202643.4%55.9%0.59%0.07%0.07%
Mar 202648.2%51%0.66%0.07%0.07%
Apr 202647.9%51.4%0.51%0.07%0.07%
May 202643.2%56.1%0.59%0.07%0.07%
Jun 202648%51.5%0.51%0.07%0%
Jul 202647.9%51.4%0.51%0.07%0.07%
Aug 202647.6%51.8%0.5%0.07%0.07%
Sep 202652.9%46.2%0.72%0.07%0.07%

  1. 1.Makita

    52.9%

    Moved from 2nd to 1st. 8.1K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +5.4 points.

  2. 2.Stihl

    46.2%

    Moved from 1st to 2nd. 7.1K estimated branded searches, -1.5% vs prior month. Share -5.6 points.

  3. 3.ECHO

    0.72%

    Held 3rd. 110 estimated branded searches, +57.1% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.

  4. 4.Bosch

    0.07%

    Held 4th. 10 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  5. 5.Greenworks

    0.07%

    Held 5th. 10 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Stihl and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Stihl

34 comparisons

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

4 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Stihl in New Zealand fell from 16.2K to 14.3K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl’s share of searches among brush cutter brands in New Zealand decreased from 51% to 46.2%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl’s share of searches among brush cutter brands in New Zealand peaked at 56.1% in May 2026 and was lowest at 46.2% in September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl fell from 1st to 2nd among brush cutter brands in New Zealand.

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

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, Makita overtook Stihl to become the leader among brush cutter brands in New Zealand, with 52.9% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Stihl lost share of searches among brush cutter brands in New Zealand, from 51.8% to 46.2%.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for ECHO in New Zealand rose 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 90 to 110 in September 2026.

How are Stihl’s branded searches counted?

16 search terms

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

  • 500i stihl
  • stihl
  • stihl air blower
  • stihl blower
  • stihl brush cutter
  • stihl chainsaw
  • stihl concrete saw
  • stihl edger
  • stihl hedge cutter
  • stihl hedge trimmer
  • stihl lawn edger
  • stihl lawn mower
  • stihl line trimmer
  • stihl mower
  • stihl pole saw
  • stihl weed eater

Do you work for Stihl? 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 Stihl compete?

Stihl is ranked in 29 competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Chainsaw and outdoor power brands4th of 810.4%Show ranking
Cordless chainsaw brands2nd of 621.1%Show ranking
Leaf blower brands3rd of 718.6%Show ranking
Lawn mower brands2nd of 1024.4%Show ranking
Stone saw brands2nd of 626%Show ranking
Cut off saw brands4th of 718%Show ranking
Edger brands1st of 723.3%Show ranking
Garden tool brands4th of 1319.8%Show ranking
Air blower brands3rd of 620.3%Show ranking
Cordless blower brands1st of 431.6%Show ranking
Grass trimmer brands1st of 827.9%Show ranking
Pruning saw brands2nd of 832.8%Show ranking
Hedge cutter brands1st of 433%Show ranking
Pressure washer brands1st of 729.8%Show ranking
Earth auger brands3rd of 825.6%Show ranking
Power washer brands2nd of 826.1%Show ranking
Backpack sprayer brands2nd of 735.7%Show ranking
Lawn edger brands4th of 80.85%Show ranking
Post hole digger brands1st of 353%Show ranking
Robotic lawn mower brands1st of 646.8%Show ranking
Leaf vacuum brands1st of 455.4%Show ranking
Backpack blower brands1st of 355.7%Show ranking
Asphalt cutter brands1st of 452.9%Show ranking
Brush blade brands1st of 353.3%Show ranking
Power broom brands1st of 353.3%Show ranking
Brush cutter brands2nd of 546.2%Shown above
Weed sprayer brands1st of 364.7%Show ranking
Tree loppers brands1st of 385.9%Show ranking
Hedge shears brands2nd of 425.7%Show ranking
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