GoFundMe vs Kickstarter:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, GoFundMe had more branded searches than Kickstarter among crowdfunding platforms in New Zealand. GoFundMe had about 8,170 branded searches, while Kickstarter had 2,420. GoFundMe made up 22.2% of all crowdfunding platform searches we track, and Kickstarter accounted for 6.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about crowdfunding platforms, Kickstarter appeared in four of the five answers and GoFundMe in one. Kickstarter was mentioned before GoFundMe in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
GoFundMe, about 3 searches for every 1 for Kickstarter
Who does AI mention more?
Kickstarter, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, GoFundMe in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Kickstarter, named ahead of GoFundMe in 4 of 4 answers
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Top crowdfunding platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kickstarter was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. GoFundMe was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kickstarter was listed before GoFundMe in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Givealittle1st
PledgeMe2nd- Kickstarter3rd
Boosted4th- GoFundMe5th
Snowball Effect6th
Patreon–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- PledgeMe5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Givealittle4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Kickstarter4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Snowball Effect2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Boosted2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- GoFundMe1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Patreon0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about crowdfunding platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which crowdfunding platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best crowdfunding platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best crowdfunding platform in New Zealand for to raise money?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best crowdfunding platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“raise money online”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is GoFundMe or Kickstarter more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for GoFundMe and Kickstarter by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven crowdfunding platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for GoFundMe, Kickstarter. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Patreon | Givealittle | GoFundMe | Kickstarter | Snowball Effect | PledgeMe | Boosted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34.1% | 50.1% | 5.5% | 6.5% | 1.1% | 2% | 0.74% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.9% | 60.8% | 3.5% | 4.4% | 1.1% | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.3% | 42.2% | 15.5% | 4.4% | 0.91% | 1.1% | 0.51% |
| Jan 2026 | 41.9% | 41.2% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 1.1% | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.1% | 35.4% | 8.6% | 7.1% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.79% |
| Mar 2026 | 40.9% | 40% | 6.7% | 7.9% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.89% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.1% | 41.2% | 4.6% | 8.1% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.92% |
| May 2026 | 36.9% | 44.5% | 6.1% | 7.2% | 1.8% | 2.5% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.3% | 27.6% | 7.3% | 8.4% | 1.6% | 2.8% | 0.95% |
| Jul 2026 | 38.1% | 46% | 6.6% | 6.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.69% |
| Aug 2026 | 44.3% | 35.7% | 7.6% | 7.2% | 2.1% | 2.2% | 0.97% |
| Sep 2026 | 40.8% | 26.9% | 22.2% | 6.6% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 0.82% |
How has the GoFundMe and Kickstarter comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: GoFundMe took it in December 2025, Kickstarter took it in March 2026, GoFundMe took it in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, GoFundMe’s share of searches among crowdfunding platforms in New Zealand moved from 5.5% to 22.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 8.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kickstarter’s share of searches among crowdfunding platforms in New Zealand moved from 6.5% to 6.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 2.4K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand crowdfunding platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, GoFundMe gained share of searches among crowdfunding platforms in New Zealand, from 7.6% to 22.2%.
In September 2026, Kickstarter lost share of searches among crowdfunding platforms in New Zealand, from 7.2% to 6.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using GoFundMe’s and Kickstarter’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.
GoFundMe
4 branded search terms
- gofundme
- gofundme crowdfunding
- gofundme donate
- gofundme fundraising
Kickstarter
4 branded search terms
- kickstarter
- kickstarter crowdfunding
- kickstarter donate
- kickstarter fundraising
Other head-to-heads among crowdfunding platforms
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