Parker vs uni-ball:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Parker had more branded searches than uni-ball among pen brands in New Zealand. Parker had about 880 branded searches, while uni-ball had 260. Parker made up 32.2% of all pen brand searches we track, and uni-ball accounted for 9.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pen brands, uni-ball appeared in four of the five answers and Parker in three. uni-ball was mentioned before Parker in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Parker, about 3 searches for every 1 for uni-ball
Who does AI mention more?
uni-ball, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Parker in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
uni-ball, named ahead of Parker in 4 of 4 answers
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Top pen brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, uni-ball was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Parker was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. uni-ball was listed before Parker in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Pilot4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- uni-ball4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Pentel4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Parker3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
BIC3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Zebra3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Faber-Castell0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about pen brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which pen brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best pen brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best pen brand in New Zealand for everyday writing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pen brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ballpoint pens nz”
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 Parker or uni-ball more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Parker and uni-ball by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven pen brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Parker, uni-ball. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Parker | BIC | Pilot | uni-ball | Faber-Castell | Pentel | Zebra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 42.7% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 3.4% | 4.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 49% | 12.7% | 12.7% | 8.3% | 10.3% | 4.4% | 2.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.7% | 21.8% | 17.7% | 11.8% | 9.5% | 4.1% | 2.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.9% | 16.8% | 16.8% | 13.7% | 7.4% | 4.7% | 2.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 34.9% | 19% | 19% | 10.3% | 6.7% | 4.4% | 5.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 33.2% | 27.2% | 14.7% | 7.8% | 9.7% | 4.1% | 3.2% |
| May 2026 | 34.8% | 19% | 23.3% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.1% | 20.8% | 16.9% | 9.1% | 7.4% | 3.9% | 3.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.1% | 17.3% | 17.3% | 11.6% | 7.6% | 4% | 3.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.5% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 14.2% | 7.7% | 3.3% | 3.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 38% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 12.2% | 6.5% | 3.4% | 3.4% |
| Oct 2026 | 32.2% | 26.4% | 17.6% | 9.5% | 7.7% | 4% | 2.6% |
uni-ball sells other things too, so only its searches that name this product count here, like “uni ball pen”.
How has branded search for Parker and uni-ball changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Parker was ahead of uni-ball in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Parker’s share of searches among pen brands in New Zealand moved from 42.7% to 32.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 880.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, uni-ball’s share of searches among pen brands in New Zealand moved from 10.2% to 9.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 210 to 260.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand pen brands in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Parker lost share of searches among pen brands in New Zealand, from 38% to 32.2%.
In October 2026, uni-ball lost share of searches among pen brands in New Zealand, from 12.2% to 9.5%.
How are Parker’s and uni-ball’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Parker’s and uni-ball’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 pen brands
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