Reference manager software in New Zealand:Which are most popular?
In October 2026, Zotero was the most searched reference manager software in New Zealand, accounting for 60.8% of all searches among the four brands tracked by the Brandwave Brand Demand Index. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Zotero, EndNote and Mendeley showed up in every answer. Zotero was recommended most often, coming first in every response.
ZoteroShare of searches 60.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
EndNoteShare of searches 21%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
MendeleyShare of searches 16.6%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
PaperpileShare of searches 1.6%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top reference manager software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Zotero, EndNote and Mendeley appeared every time. Zotero was recommended most often, coming first in every answer. EndNote was second, and Mendeley was third.
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.
See every answer about reference manager software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which reference manager software should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best reference manager software options in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best reference manager software in New Zealand for a research team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“reference manager software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best reference manager”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which reference manager software do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each reference manager software by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four reference manager software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Zotero | EndNote | Mendeley | Paperpile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 57.3% | 20.5% | 19.7% | 2.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 51.8% | 22.9% | 22% | 3.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 56.1% | 23.4% | 18.4% | 2.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 55.1% | 28.3% | 15.1% | 1.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 57% | 29.4% | 12.7% | 0.88% |
| Apr 2026 | 59% | 25% | 15% | 1% |
| May 2026 | 59% | 24.9% | 15.1% | 1.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 57.9% | 20.7% | 19.6% | 1.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.5% | 29.4% | 12.8% | 1.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 56.8% | 27.9% | 14.3% | 1% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.9% | 28.6% | 15% | 1.5% |
| Oct 2026 | 60.8% | 21% | 16.6% | 1.6% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 60.8% | 2.6K | +0.38% | +5.9 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 21% | 910 | -33.6% | -7.6 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 16.6% | 720 | 0% | +1.6 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 1.6% | 70 | 0% | +0.2 points |
1.
Zotero60.8%
Held 1st. 2.6K estimated branded searches, +0.38% vs prior month. Share +5.9 points.
2.
EndNote21%
Held 2nd. 910 estimated branded searches, -33.6% vs prior month. Share -7.6 points.
3.
Mendeley16.6%
Held 3rd. 720 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.6 points.
1.6%
Held 4th. 70 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among reference manager software in New Zealand?
4 brands
In October 2026, Zotero was the most searched among reference manager software in New Zealand, with an estimated 2.6K branded searches, 60.8% of all searches for the four tracked by the Brandwave Brand Demand Index. EndNote is in 2nd place, 39.9 percentage points behind at 21%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zotero | 57.3% → 60.8% | 60.8%Oct 2026 | 51.8%Dec 2025 | 1st |
| EndNote | 20.5% → 21% | 29.4%Jul 2026 | 20.5%Nov 2025 | 2nd |
| Mendeley | 19.7% → 16.6% | 22%Dec 2025 | 12.7%Mar 2026 | 3rd |
| Paperpile | 2.5% → 1.6% | 3.2%Dec 2025 | 0.88%Mar 2026 | 4th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Zotero’s share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand increased from 57.3% to 60.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Mendeley’s share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand decreased from 19.7% to 16.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Paperpile’s share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand decreased from 2.5% to 1.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Zotero’s share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand peaked at 60.8% in October 2026 and was lowest at 51.8% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, EndNote’s share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand peaked at 29.4% in July 2026 and was lowest at 20.5% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Mendeley’s share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand peaked at 22% in December 2025 and was lowest at 12.7% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Paperpile’s share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand peaked at 3.2% in December 2025 and was lowest at 0.88% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, EndNote held steady: its share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand reference manager software in October 2026?
4 changes
In October 2026, Zotero gained share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand, from 54.9% to 60.8%.
In October 2026, Mendeley gained share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand, from 15% to 16.6%.
In October 2026, EndNote lost share of searches among reference manager software in New Zealand, from 28.6% to 21%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Paperpile in New Zealand fell 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 90 to 70 in October 2026.
How are branded searches counted for reference manager software?
9 search terms
Each brand's share of searches among reference manager software comes from the terms listed under its name. When people mostly search for a brand because of something else it sells, only the searches that name this product count here.
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