Sharpie vs Zebra:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Sharpie had more branded searches than Zebra among highlighter brands in New Zealand. Sharpie had about 1,340 branded searches, while Zebra had 10. Sharpie made up 91.2% of all highlighter brand searches we track, and Zebra accounted for 0.68%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about highlighter brands, Zebra appeared in two of the five answers and Sharpie in one. Zebra was mentioned before Sharpie in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Sharpie, about 134 searches for every 1 for Zebra
Who does AI mention more?
Zebra, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Sharpie in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Zebra, named ahead of Sharpie in 2 of 2 answers
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Top highlighter brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and 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. 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. Zebra was listed before Sharpie in every answer that named either.
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 Sharpie or Zebra more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Sharpie 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 Sharpie, 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 Sharpie and Zebra comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sharpie was ahead of Zebra in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sharpie’s share of searches among highlighter brands in New Zealand moved from 92.8% to 91.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.3K.
- 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, Sharpie gained share of searches among highlighter brands in New Zealand, from 89.6% to 91.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
7 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Sharpie’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.
Other head-to-heads among highlighter brands
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