Molten vs Spalding:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Molten had more branded searches than Spalding among basketball brands in New Zealand. Molten had about 710 branded searches, while Spalding had 470. Molten made up 47.3% of all basketball brand searches we track, and Spalding accounted for 31.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about basketball brands, Molten and Spalding each appeared in three of the five answers. Molten was mentioned before Spalding in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Molten, about 51% more searches than Spalding
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Molten, named ahead of Spalding in 3 of 4 answers
Follow Molten vs Spalding and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top basketball brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Molten was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Spalding was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Molten was listed before Spalding in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
See every answer about basketball brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which basketball brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best basketball brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best basketball brand in New Zealand for indoor play?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best basketballs”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“size 7 basketball”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Molten or Spalding more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Molten and Spalding by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all three basketball brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Molten, Spalding. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Molten | Spalding | Wilson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40% | 40% | 20% |
| Nov 2025 | 44.1% | 36% | 19.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 40% | 38.7% | 21.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.2% | 37.3% | 20.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 46.7% | 34.4% | 18.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 41.3% | 33.5% | 25.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.1% | 33.8% | 28.1% |
| May 2026 | 35.3% | 28.9% | 35.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 38% | 27.5% | 34.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 82.4% | 11% | 6.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 47.3% | 31.3% | 21.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.3% | 31.3% | 21.3% |
How has the Molten and Spalding comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Molten was ahead of Spalding in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Molten’s share of searches among basketball brands in New Zealand moved from 40% to 47.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 640 to 710.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spalding’s share of searches among basketball brands in New Zealand moved from 40% to 31.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 640 to 470.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand basketball brands in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Molten’s and Spalding’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.
Other head-to-heads among basketball brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.