Muscle Nation vs Optifast:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Muscle Nation had more branded searches than Optifast among meal replacement brands in New Zealand. Muscle Nation had about 8,110 branded searches, while Optifast had 5,470. Muscle Nation made up 34.4% of all meal replacement brand searches we track, and Optifast accounted for 23.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about meal replacement brands, Optifast appeared in two of the five answers and Muscle Nation in none.
Who do people search for more?
Muscle Nation, about 48% more searches than Optifast
Who does AI mention more?
Optifast, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Muscle Nation in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Optifast, the only one of the two named
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Top meal replacement brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Optifast was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Muscle Nation did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
The Lady Shake1st
The Man Shake2nd- Optifast3rd
Huel4th
OptiSlim5th- Muscle Nation–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- The Man Shake5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Optifast2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- The Lady Shake2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- OptiSlim1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Huel1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Muscle Nation0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about meal replacement brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which meal replacement brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best meal replacement brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best meal replacement brand in New Zealand for a quick breakfast?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“meal replacement nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“high protein shake”
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 Muscle Nation or Optifast more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Muscle Nation and Optifast by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six meal replacement brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Muscle Nation, Optifast. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Muscle Nation | Optifast | OptiSlim | The Man Shake | The Lady Shake | Huel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 55.4% | 12.7% | 11.9% | 12.5% | 6.3% | 1.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.1% | 18.8% | 18.7% | 14.4% | 7.8% | 2.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 22.3% | 21% | 25.4% | 18.8% | 9.9% | 2.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 31.9% | 21% | 20.7% | 14.6% | 8.9% | 3% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.6% | 16.9% | 17.3% | 15.2% | 7.3% | 3.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 36.3% | 18.3% | 19.4% | 15.1% | 8.2% | 2.7% |
| May 2026 | 31.6% | 19.4% | 20.4% | 16.1% | 9.6% | 2.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 56.1% | 13.8% | 13.5% | 9.3% | 5.6% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.7% | 22.3% | 22.6% | 12.3% | 7.4% | 2.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.1% | 17.2% | 17.9% | 11.2% | 6.2% | 2.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 34.7% | 21.6% | 20.1% | 13.1% | 7.9% | 2.6% |
| Oct 2026 | 34.4% | 23.2% | 23.2% | 10.6% | 7% | 1.7% |
How has branded search for Muscle Nation and Optifast changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Muscle Nation was ahead of Optifast in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Muscle Nation’s share of searches among meal replacement brands in New Zealand moved from 55.4% to 34.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 8.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Optifast’s share of searches among meal replacement brands in New Zealand moved from 12.7% to 23.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1K to 5.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand meal replacement brands in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Optifast gained share of searches among meal replacement brands in New Zealand, from 21.6% to 23.2%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Muscle Nation in New Zealand fell 55.2% over 12 measured months, from 18.1K to 8.1K in October 2026.
How are Muscle Nation’s and Optifast’s branded searches counted?
16 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Muscle Nation’s and Optifast’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.
Muscle Nation
2 branded search terms
- muscle nation
- muscle nation shake
Optifast
14 branded search terms
- chocolate optifast
- optifast
- optifast bars
- optifast chocolate bars
- optifast chocolate shake
- optifast dessert
- optifast diet
- optifast meal replacement
- optifast powder
- optifast protein plus
- optifast shake
- optifast soup
- optifast vlcd
- optifast vlcd shake
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