Faber-Castell vs Zebra:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Faber-Castell and Zebra were level in searches among highlighter brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 10 branded searches each, at 0.68% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about highlighter brands, Faber-Castell appeared in three of the five answers and Zebra in two. Zebra was mentioned before Faber-Castell in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Faber-Castell and Zebra are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Faber-Castell, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Zebra in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Zebra, named ahead of Faber-Castell in 2 of 3 answers
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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. Zebra was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Zebra was listed before Faber-Castell in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Stabilo1st
Zebra2nd
Faber-Castell3rd
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?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best highlighter brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best highlighter brand in New Zealand for school notes?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“highlighter brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best highlighters”
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 Zebra more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Faber-Castell and Zebra 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.
Share of searches by month for Faber-Castell, Zebra. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sharpie | Stabilo | Faber-Castell | Zebra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 92.8% | 6.5% | 0.72% | 0% |
| Nov 2025 | 89.7% | 8.7% | 0.79% | 0.79% |
| Dec 2025 | 91.6% | 6.7% | 1.7% | 0% |
| Jan 2026 | 88.3% | 8.4% | 2.6% | 0.65% |
| Feb 2026 | 89.4% | 8.3% | 1.5% | 0.76% |
| Mar 2026 | 93.1% | 5.6% | 0.69% | 0.69% |
| Apr 2026 | 92.8% | 5.4% | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| May 2026 | 90.2% | 8.3% | 0.75% | 0.75% |
| Jun 2026 | 91.3% | 6.3% | 1.6% | 0.79% |
| Jul 2026 | 90.6% | 7.1% | 1.6% | 0.79% |
| Aug 2026 | 89.6% | 8.1% | 1.5% | 0.74% |
| Sep 2026 | 91.2% | 7.5% | 0.68% | 0.68% |
How has the Faber-Castell and Zebra comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Faber-Castell was ahead of Zebra in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Faber-Castell’s share of searches among highlighter brands in New Zealand moved from 0.72% to 0.68%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 10.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zebra’s share of searches among highlighter brands in New Zealand moved from 0% to 0.68%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 0 to 10.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand highlighter brands in September 2026?
1 change

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?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Faber-Castell’s and Zebra’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
Zebra
1 branded search term
- zebra highlighter
Other head-to-heads among highlighter brands

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