How popular isYouTube Music?
In September 2026, people searched for YouTube Music by name about 112,000 times in New Zealand, a 21.3% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 23.4% of all New Zealand music streaming service searches, placing YouTube Music second out of seven services. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about music streaming services, YouTube Music appeared in four of the five answers and was the third most recommended of the seven.
YouTube Music is the second most searched of 7 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.
SpotifyShare of searches 64.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
YouTube MusicShare of searches 23.4%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
SoundCloudShare of searches 8.9%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
Apple MusicShare of searches 2.1%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Amazon MusicShare of searches 0.41%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
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Top music streaming services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, YouTube Music was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. YouTube Music is the third most recommended of the seven.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Spotify1st
- Apple Music2nd
- YouTube Music3rd
Tidal4th- SoundCloud5th
- Amazon Music6th
Deezer–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Spotify5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- YouTube Music4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Apple Music4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Tidal4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- SoundCloud1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Amazon Music1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Deezer0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about music streaming services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which music streaming service should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best music streaming services in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best music streaming service in New Zealand for everyday listening?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best music streaming service”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“offline music app”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Which music streaming services compete with YouTube Music?
Share of searches by month for Spotify, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Apple Music. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Spotify | YouTube Music | SoundCloud | Apple Music | Amazon Music | Deezer | Tidal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.3% | 20% | 9.3% | 2.2% | 0.49% | 0.31% | 0.33% |
| Nov 2025 | 67.6% | 20.1% | 9.3% | 2.2% | 0.43% | 0.24% | 0.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 64.6% | 23.2% | 8.9% | 2.1% | 0.59% | 0.27% | 0.38% |
| Jan 2026 | 61.6% | 26.8% | 8.6% | 1.7% | 0.58% | 0.32% | 0.34% |
| Feb 2026 | 69% | 20.4% | 7.8% | 1.9% | 0.44% | 0.21% | 0.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 68.8% | 20.3% | 7.8% | 2.3% | 0.45% | 0.2% | 0.16% |
| Apr 2026 | 64.6% | 23.3% | 8.9% | 2.1% | 0.6% | 0.28% | 0.26% |
| May 2026 | 69.1% | 20.2% | 7.8% | 1.9% | 0.56% | 0.2% | 0.18% |
| Jun 2026 | 68.8% | 20.1% | 8% | 2.3% | 0.46% | 0.17% | 0.13% |
| Jul 2026 | 64.8% | 23.1% | 8.9% | 2.2% | 0.54% | 0.29% | 0.18% |
| Aug 2026 | 64.6% | 23.2% | 8.8% | 2.6% | 0.42% | 0.21% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 64.8% | 23.4% | 8.9% | 2.1% | 0.41% | 0.21% | 0.14% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 64.8% | 310K | -0.55% | +0.2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 23.4% | 112K | -0.03% | +0.2 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 8.9% | 42.4K | -0.47% | 0 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 2.1% | 10.2K | -18.2% | -0.5 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 0.41% | 2K | -2.5% | 0 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.21% | 980 | -3% | 0 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.14% | 680 | -5.6% | 0 points |
1.
Spotify64.8%
Held 1st. 310K estimated branded searches, -0.55% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
23.4%
Held 2nd. 112K estimated branded searches, -0.03% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
8.9%
Held 3rd. 42.4K estimated branded searches, -0.47% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
2.1%
Held 4th. 10.2K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.
0.41%
Held 5th. 2K estimated branded searches, -2.5% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
6.
Deezer0.21%
Held 6th. 980 estimated branded searches, -3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
7.
Tidal0.14%
Held 7th. 680 estimated branded searches, -5.6% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Compare popularity between YouTube Music and its closest rivals
Every comparison with YouTube Music
6 comparisons
How has branded search demand for YouTube Music changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for YouTube Music in New Zealand rose from 92.1K to 112K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, YouTube Music’s share of searches among music streaming services in New Zealand increased from 20% to 23.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, YouTube Music’s share of searches among music streaming services in New Zealand peaked at 26.8% in January 2026 and was lowest at 20% in October 2025.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand music streaming services in September 2026?
4 changes
YouTube Music’s share of searches among music streaming services in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 20.1% to 23.4% in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Tidal in New Zealand fell 55.3% over 12 measured months, from 1.5K to 680 in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Deezer in New Zealand fell 30.5% over 12 measured months, from 1.4K to 980 in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Amazon Music in New Zealand fell 12% over 12 measured months, from 2.3K to 2K in September 2026.
How are YouTube Music’s branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using YouTube Music’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.
- my youtube music
- open youtube music
- youtube music
- youtube music app
- youtube music channel
- youtube music chart
- youtube music music
- youtube music playlists
- youtubemusic
- youtubemusic app
- youtubemusic music
Who owns YouTube Music?
YouTube Music is owned by 
Google. Brandwave also tracks 
AppSheet, 
Chrome Remote Desktop, 
Display & Video 360, 
Firebase, 
Fitbit, 
Gemini, 
Gmail, Google, 
Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Authenticator, 
Google BigQuery, Google Calendar appointment schedules, Google Chat, 
Google Chrome, 
Google Chromecast, 
Google Classroom, Google Cloud, 
Google DeepMind, Google Drive, 
Google Family Link, Google Forms, Google Keep, Google Maps, 
Google Maps Platform, Google Meet, Google Nest, Google Nest Wifi, Google Pixel, Google Slides, 
Google Translate, Google Veo, Google Workspace, 
Looker Studio, Snapseed, YouTube and YouTube Audio Library, owned by the same company, in New Zealand.
Do you work for YouTube Music? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Is YouTube Music 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.