Makita vs Stihl:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Stihl had more branded searches than Makita among post hole digger brands in New Zealand. Stihl had about 9,310 branded searches, while Makita had 8,100. Stihl made up 53% of all post hole digger brand searches we track, and Makita accounted for 46.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about post hole digger brands, Stihl appeared in three of the four answers and Makita in none.
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Top post hole digger brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Stihl was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Makita did not appear in any of the four answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
See every answer about post hole digger brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which post hole digger brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best post hole digger brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best post hole digger brand in New Zealand for fence posts?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“post hole digger nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“post hole auger nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Makita or Stihl more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Makita and Stihl by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all three post hole digger brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Stihl, Makita. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Stihl | Makita | ECHO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 58.8% | 40.5% | 0.74% |
| Nov 2025 | 63.5% | 35.7% | 0.76% |
| Dec 2025 | 62.4% | 36.8% | 0.78% |
| Jan 2026 | 61.8% | 37.4% | 0.74% |
| Feb 2026 | 62.2% | 37.2% | 0.62% |
| Mar 2026 | 58.6% | 40.7% | 0.74% |
| Apr 2026 | 59.1% | 40.3% | 0.61% |
| May 2026 | 62.5% | 36.7% | 0.78% |
| Jun 2026 | 57.4% | 41.8% | 0.76% |
| Jul 2026 | 57.5% | 41.9% | 0.63% |
| Aug 2026 | 57.7% | 41.6% | 0.76% |
| Sep 2026 | 53% | 46.2% | 0.8% |
How has the Makita and Stihl comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Stihl was ahead of Makita in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among post hole digger brands in New Zealand moved from 40.5% to 46.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 8.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl’s share of searches among post hole digger brands in New Zealand moved from 58.8% to 53%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.6K to 9.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand post hole digger brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among post hole digger brands in New Zealand, from 41.6% to 46.2%.
In September 2026, Stihl lost share of searches among post hole digger brands in New Zealand, from 57.7% to 53%.
How are branded searches counted?
9 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Makita’s and Stihl’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.
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