Dark Sky Project vs Silver River Stargazing:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Dark Sky Project had more branded searches than Silver River Stargazing among stargazing tours in New Zealand. Dark Sky Project had about 9,950 branded searches, while Silver River Stargazing had 1,300. Dark Sky Project made up 58.1% of all stargazing tour searches we track, and Silver River Stargazing accounted for 7.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stargazing tours, Dark Sky Project appeared in all five answers and Silver River Stargazing in three. Dark Sky Project was mentioned before Silver River Stargazing in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Dark Sky Project, about 8 searches for every 1 for Silver River Stargazing
Who does AI mention more?
Dark Sky Project, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Dark Sky Project, named ahead of Silver River Stargazing in every answer
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Top stargazing tours in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Dark Sky Project appeared in all five answers. Silver River Stargazing was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Dark Sky Project was listed before Silver River Stargazing in every answer.
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.
Dark Sky Project5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Big Sky Stargazing4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Silver River Stargazing3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Chameleon Stargazing2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Good Heavens2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tekapo Star Gazing1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about stargazing tours
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which stargazing tour should I book in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best stargazing tours in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best stargazing tour in New Zealand for dark sky viewing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“night sky tour”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“stargazing tours nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Dark Sky Project or Silver River Stargazing more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Dark Sky Project and Silver River Stargazing by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six stargazing tours we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Dark Sky Project, Silver River Stargazing. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Dark Sky Project | Tekapo Star Gazing | Silver River Stargazing | Big Sky Stargazing | Chameleon Stargazing | Good Heavens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 48.2% | 20% | 7.8% | 2.3% | 21.4% | 0.36% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.2% | 26.2% | 9.2% | 3.2% | 14% | 0.29% |
| Jan 2026 | 54.7% | 30.6% | 8.8% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 0.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 55.3% | 30.5% | 8.6% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 52.2% | 31.9% | 10.3% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 0.47% |
| Apr 2026 | 57.9% | 28.8% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 0.43% |
| May 2026 | 56.2% | 31.4% | 7.3% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 0.23% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.3% | 36.3% | 9.4% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 0.29% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.8% | 33.4% | 7% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 0.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 55.5% | 30.4% | 8.8% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.27% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.8% | 28.9% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 0.41% |
| Oct 2026 | 58.1% | 29% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.41% |
How has branded search for Dark Sky Project and Silver River Stargazing changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Dark Sky Project was ahead of Silver River Stargazing in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Dark Sky Project’s share of searches among stargazing tours in New Zealand moved from 48.2% to 58.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.9K to 9.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Silver River Stargazing’s share of searches among stargazing tours in New Zealand moved from 7.8% to 7.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand stargazing tours in October 2026?
2 changes

Dark Sky Project’s share of searches among stargazing tours in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 52.8% to 58.1% in October 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Silver River Stargazing in New Zealand fell 45.8% over 12 measured months, from 2.4K to 1.3K in October 2026.
How are Dark Sky Project’s and Silver River Stargazing’s branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dark Sky Project’s and Silver River Stargazing’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.
Dark Sky Project
4 branded search terms
- dark sky project
- dark sky project stargazing
- darkskyproject
- the dark sky project
Silver River Stargazing
1 branded search term
- silver river stargazing
Other head-to-heads among stargazing tours

Dark Sky Project vs Tekapo Star Gazing: compare popularity
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Tekapo Star Gazing vs Silver River Stargazing: compare popularity
Tekapo Star Gazing vs Big Sky Stargazing: compare popularity
Silver River Stargazing vs Big Sky Stargazing: compare popularity

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