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 33% of all New Zealand hedge cutter brand searches, placing Stihl first out of four brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hedge cutter brands, Stihl appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the four.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Stihl is the most searched of 4 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. StihlShare of searches 33%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  2. RyobiShare of searches 26.4%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  3. MakitaShare of searches 25.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  4. DeWaltShare of searches 15.5%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top hedge 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 four.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Stihl1st
  2. Makita2nd
  3. Ryobi3rd
  4. DeWalt4th

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
  • Ryobi5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Makita5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • DeWalt1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about hedge cutter brands

5 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

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

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Ryobi
    3. 3Makita
  • Asked ChatGPT

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

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Makita
    3. 3Ryobi
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best hedge cutter brand in New Zealand for garden trimming?”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Makita
    3. 3Ryobi
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “hedge trimmer nz”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Ryobi
    3. 3Makita
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “electric hedge cutter”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Makita
    3. 3Ryobi
    4. 4DeWalt

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

Which hedge cutter brands compete with Stihl?

Stihl against hedge cutter brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthStihlRyobiMakitaDeWalt
Oct 202538%25.2%22.5%14.3%
Nov 202537.2%29.7%17.4%15.8%
Dec 202537.1%32%18.7%12.2%
Jan 202639.4%27.4%20.3%12.9%
Feb 202640.6%24.4%21.2%13.9%
Mar 202635.6%27.9%21.7%14.7%
Apr 202637.2%25.3%22.9%14.6%
May 202641.9%20.3%22.8%14.9%
Jun 202635.4%21.7%23.9%19.1%
Jul 202636.7%21.7%25.1%16.4%
Aug 202634.7%24.6%23.2%17.5%
Sep 202633%26.4%25.2%15.5%
  1. 1.Stihl

    33%

    Held 1st. 10.6K estimated branded searches, +7.4% vs prior month. Share -1.7 points.

  2. 2.Ryobi

    26.4%

    Held 2nd. 8.5K estimated branded searches, +21.1% vs prior month. Share +1.8 points.

  3. 3.Makita

    25.2%

    Held 3rd. 8.1K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +2 points.

  4. 4.DeWalt

    15.5%

    Held 4th. 5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -2 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?

3 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 hedge cutter brands in New Zealand decreased from 38% to 33%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl’s share of searches among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand peaked at 41.9% in May 2026 and was lowest at 33% in September 2026.

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

4 changes
  1. In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand, from 23.2% to 25.2%.

  2. In September 2026, Ryobi gained share of searches among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand, from 24.6% to 26.4%.

  3. In September 2026, DeWalt lost share of searches among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand, from 17.5% to 15.5%.

  4. In September 2026, Stihl lost share of searches among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand, from 34.7% to 33%.

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

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Is Stihl 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.