D'Addario vs Martin:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, D'Addario had more branded searches than Martin among guitar string brands in New Zealand. D'Addario had about 400 branded searches, while Martin had 60. D'Addario made up 41.2% of all guitar string brand searches we track, and Martin accounted for 6.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about guitar string brands, D'Addario appeared in all five answers and Martin in four. D'Addario was mentioned before Martin in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
D'Addario, about 7 searches for every 1 for Martin
Who does AI mention more?
D'Addario, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
D'Addario, named ahead of Martin in every answer
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Top guitar string brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, D'Addario appeared in all five answers. Martin was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. D'Addario was listed before Martin in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
D'Addario1st
Ernie Ball2nd
Elixir Strings3rd
Martin4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
D'Addario5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ernie Ball5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Elixir Strings5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Martin4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about guitar string brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which guitar string brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best guitar string brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best guitar string brand in New Zealand for a new string set?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best guitar strings”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“electric guitar strings nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is D'Addario or Martin more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for D'Addario and Martin by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four guitar string brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for D'Addario, Martin. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | D'Addario | Ernie Ball | Elixir Strings | Martin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 49.5% | 28.3% | 14.1% | 8.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 46% | 28% | 16% | 10% |
| Dec 2025 | 46% | 28% | 20% | 6% |
| Jan 2026 | 50% | 30.4% | 15.2% | 4.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.4% | 35.4% | 18.2% | 6.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 30.4% | 24.3% | 40% | 5.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 26.4% | 39.7% | 28.9% | 5% |
| May 2026 | 32% | 45.6% | 17.6% | 4.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.2% | 36.1% | 18.6% | 4.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.8% | 34.3% | 18.5% | 7.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.4% | 31.8% | 14% | 10.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.2% | 36.1% | 16.5% | 6.2% |
How has the D'Addario and Martin comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- D'Addario was ahead of Martin in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, D'Addario’s share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand moved from 49.5% to 41.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 490 to 400.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Martin’s share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand moved from 8.1% to 6.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 80 to 60.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand guitar string brands in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Martin lost share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 10.9% to 6.2%.

In September 2026, D'Addario lost share of searches among guitar string brands in New Zealand, from 43.4% to 41.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using D'Addario’s and Martin’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 guitar string brands

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