Brandwave

Faber-Castell vs Sharpie:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Sharpie had more branded searches than Faber-Castell among highlighter brands in New Zealand. Sharpie had about 1,340 branded searches, while Faber-Castell had 10. Sharpie made up 91.2% of all highlighter brand searches we track, and Faber-Castell accounted for 0.68%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about highlighter brands, Faber-Castell appeared in three of the five answers and Sharpie in one. Faber-Castell was mentioned before Sharpie in every answer.

Among highlighter brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Sharpie, about 134 searches for every 1 for Faber-Castell

Sharpie 1.3K searchesFaber-Castell 10 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Faber-Castell, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Sharpie in 1

Faber-Castell in 3 of 5Sharpie in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Faber-Castell, named ahead of Sharpie in every answer

Faber-Castell first in 3Sharpie never first

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Top highlighter brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Faber-Castell was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Sharpie was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Faber-Castell was listed before Sharpie in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Stabilo1st
  2. Zebra2nd
  3. Faber-Castell3rd
  4. Sharpie4th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Stabilo4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Faber-Castell3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Zebra2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sharpie1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about highlighter brands

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which highlighter brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. Asked ChatGPT

      “What are the best highlighter brands in New Zealand?”

      1. 1Zebra
      2. 2Stabilo
      3. 3Faber-Castell
      4. 4Sharpie

    2. Asked ChatGPT

      “What's the best highlighter brand in New Zealand for school notes?”

      1. 1Stabilo
      2. 2Zebra
      3. 3Faber-Castell

    3. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “highlighter brands”

      1. 1Stabilo
      2. 2Faber-Castell

    4. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “best highlighters”

      1. 1Stabilo

    Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

    Is Faber-Castell or Sharpie more popular in search?

    This chart shows how often people search Google for Faber-Castell and Sharpie by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four highlighter brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

    Faber-Castell and Sharpie among highlighter brands in New Zealand, by month

    Share of searches by month for Sharpie, Faber-Castell. The figures are in the table below the chart.

    View monthly share of searches table
    MonthSharpieStabiloFaber-CastellZebra
    Oct 202592.8%6.5%0.72%0%
    Nov 202589.7%8.7%0.79%0.79%
    Dec 202591.6%6.7%1.7%0%
    Jan 202688.3%8.4%2.6%0.65%
    Feb 202689.4%8.3%1.5%0.76%
    Mar 202693.1%5.6%0.69%0.69%
    Apr 202692.8%5.4%0.9%0.9%
    May 202690.2%8.3%0.75%0.75%
    Jun 202691.3%6.3%1.6%0.79%
    Jul 202690.6%7.1%1.6%0.79%
    Aug 202689.6%8.1%1.5%0.74%
    Sep 202691.2%7.5%0.68%0.68%

    How has the Faber-Castell and Sharpie comparison changed over the last 12 months?

    3 findings

    How did search popularity change for New Zealand highlighter brands in September 2026?

    2 changes

    1. In September 2026, Sharpie gained share of searches among highlighter brands in New Zealand, from 89.6% to 91.2%.

    2. In September 2026, Faber-Castell lost share of searches among highlighter brands in New Zealand, from 1.5% to 0.68%.

    How are branded searches counted?

    7 search terms

    Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Faber-Castell’s and Sharpie’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.

    Faber-Castell

    1 branded search term

    • faber castell highlighter

    Sharpie

    6 branded search terms

    • felt tip sharpie
    • fine tip sharpie
    • sharpie
    • sharpie highlighter
    • sharpie s gel
    • ultra fine sharpie

    How the Brand Demand Index is measured

    Other head-to-heads among highlighter brands

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