Brandwave

a2 Milk vs Anchor:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Anchor had more branded searches than a2 Milk among milk brands in New Zealand. Anchor had about 3,940 branded searches, while a2 Milk had 2,830. Anchor made up 32.2% of all milk brand searches we track, and a2 Milk accounted for 23.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about milk brands, Anchor appeared in four of the five answers and a2 Milk in two. Anchor was mentioned before a2 Milk in every answer.

Among milk brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Anchor, about 39% more searches than a2 Milk

Anchor 3.9K searchesa2 Milk 2.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Anchor, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, a2 Milk in 2

Anchor in 4 of 5a2 Milk in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Anchor, named ahead of a2 Milk in every answer

Anchor first in 4a2 Milk never first

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Top milk brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Anchor was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. a2 Milk was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Anchor was listed before a2 Milk in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Anchor1st
  2. Meadow Fresh2nd
  3. Lewis Road Creamery3rd
  4. a2 Milk4th
  5. Puhoi Valley4th
  6. Alpro–
  7. Oatly–
  8. Oob–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Lewis Road Creamery5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Meadow Fresh5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Anchor4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • a2 Milk2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Puhoi Valley2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Alpro0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Oatly0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Oob0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about milk brands

5 answers

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 a2 Milk or Anchor more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for a2 Milk and Anchor by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight milk brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

a2 Milk and Anchor among milk brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Anchor, a2 Milk. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAnchora2 MilkLewis Road CreameryMeadow FreshPuhoi ValleyAlproOatlyOob
Oct 202526.8%24.7%9.9%17.3%12.6%3.7%4.4%0.59%
Nov 202527.2%28.7%8.2%17.7%10%3.4%4.2%0.6%
Dec 202531%21.3%9.3%18.2%11.4%4.7%3.6%0.49%
Jan 202627.1%27.6%9.6%15%12.7%3.4%4%0.57%
Feb 202623.7%28.9%9.4%19%9.6%2.8%6.3%0.4%
Mar 202627.9%25.6%10.8%19%9.1%3%4.2%0.38%
Apr 202623.5%39.9%7.8%14.4%7.7%2.8%3.5%0.2%
May 202621.2%36.9%10%14.7%10.2%2.8%3.9%0.28%
Jun 202624.8%32.5%10.9%16.4%9.1%2.6%3.5%0.3%
Jul 202627.1%30%13.1%14.2%9%2.7%3.7%0.22%
Aug 202626.5%29.5%12.4%12.4%11.9%2.3%4.6%0.49%
Sep 202632.2%23.1%14.4%11.8%10.8%3.9%3.5%0.33%

How has the a2 Milk and Anchor comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 6 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: a2 Milk took it in November 2025, Anchor took it in December 2025, a2 Milk took it in January 2026, Anchor took it in March 2026, a2 Milk took it in April 2026, Anchor took it in September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, a2 Milk’s share of searches among milk brands in New Zealand moved from 24.7% to 23.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3K to 2.8K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Anchor’s share of searches among milk brands in New Zealand moved from 26.8% to 32.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.2K to 3.9K.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Anchor overtook a2 Milk to become the leader among milk brands in New Zealand, with 32.2% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, a2 Milk lost share of searches among milk brands in New Zealand, from 29.5% to 23.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

18 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using a2 Milk’s and Anchor’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.

a2 Milk

9 branded search terms

  • a2 milk
  • a2 milk co
  • a2 milk dairy
  • a2 milk formula
  • a2 milk intolerance
  • a2 milk milk
  • a2milk
  • a2milk milk
  • organic a2 milk

Anchor

9 branded search terms

  • anchor chocolate milk
  • anchor dairy
  • anchor dairy products
  • anchor dry milk
  • anchor lite milk
  • anchor milk
  • anchor milk uht
  • anchor skim milk
  • anchor spreadable

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among milk brands

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