Pilot vs uni-ball:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, uni-ball had more branded searches than Pilot among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand. uni-ball had about 870 branded searches, while Pilot had 640. uni-ball made up 16.3% of all ballpoint pen brand searches we track, and Pilot accounted for 12%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about ballpoint pen brands, Pilot and uni-ball each appeared in four of the five answers. uni-ball was mentioned before Pilot in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
uni-ball, about 36% more searches than Pilot
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
uni-ball, named ahead of Pilot in every answer
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Top ballpoint pen brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pilot and uni-ball were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. uni-ball was listed before Pilot in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- uni-ball1st
Pilot2nd
BIC3rd
Parker4th
Faber-Castell5th
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
- BIC3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Parker3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Faber-Castell2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about ballpoint pen brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which ballpoint pen brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best ballpoint pen brand in New Zealand for everyday writing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pens nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cheap pens nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Pilot or uni-ball more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Pilot and uni-ball by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five ballpoint pen brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for uni-ball, Pilot. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Faber-Castell | BIC | Parker | uni-ball | Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.8% | 29.3% | 21% | 12.4% | 12.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 30.7% | 25.8% | 21.3% | 11.6% | 10.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.3% | 23.7% | 23.7% | 8.8% | 8.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 29.5% | 28.2% | 15.7% | 14.8% | 11.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.7% | 22.8% | 17.3% | 22.1% | 12.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 22.6% | 28.5% | 17.9% | 17.3% | 13.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 28% | 32.3% | 15.5% | 13.8% | 10.3% |
| May 2026 | 26% | 27.3% | 17.2% | 14.3% | 15.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 25.3% | 27.3% | 19.6% | 14.9% | 12.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 23.4% | 28.2% | 18.9% | 17.8% | 11.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 24% | 25.1% | 17.9% | 20.8% | 12.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.6% | 26.3% | 18.8% | 16.3% | 12% |
How has the Pilot and uni-ball comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: uni-ball took it in November 2025, Pilot took it in May 2026, uni-ball took it in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pilot’s share of searches among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand moved from 12.6% to 12%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 530 to 640.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, uni-ball’s share of searches among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand moved from 12.4% to 16.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 520 to 870.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand ballpoint pen brands in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Parker overtook uni-ball to rank 3rd among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand, with 18.8% of the searches.
In September 2026, uni-ball lost share of searches among ballpoint pen brands in New Zealand, from 20.8% to 16.3%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Pilot in New Zealand rose 20.8% over 12 measured months, from 530 to 640 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pilot’s and uni-ball’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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