Brandwave

Billabong vs Rip Curl:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Billabong and Rip Curl were level in searches among swim shorts brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 5.9K versus 5.8K branded searches, at 9.7% and 9.6% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about swim shorts brands, Billabong and Rip Curl each appeared in four of the five answers. Billabong and Rip Curl were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.

Among swim shorts brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Billabong and Rip Curl are searched for about as often as each other.

Billabong 5.9K searchesRip Curl 5.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.

Billabong in 4 of 5Rip Curl in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

Billabong first in 2Rip Curl first in 2

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Top swim shorts brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Billabong and Rip Curl were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Billabong and Rip Curl were each listed first in two of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Rip Curl1st
  2. Billabong2nd
  3. Quiksilver3rd
  4. Patagonia4th
  5. AS Colour5th
  6. Roxy–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Billabong4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Rip Curl4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Quiksilver4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Patagonia3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • AS Colour2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Roxy0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about swim shorts 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 Billabong or Rip Curl more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Billabong and Rip Curl by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six swim shorts brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Billabong and Rip Curl among swim shorts brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Billabong, Rip Curl. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAS ColourPatagoniaBillabongRip CurlQuiksilverRoxy
Oct 202558.6%21.4%8.3%10.2%1%0.56%
Nov 202560.7%18.2%8.8%10.6%0.9%0.72%
Dec 202556.7%20.7%8.7%12.2%0.88%0.68%
Jan 202646.2%31%9.2%12%0.87%0.67%
Feb 202652.8%28.9%7.7%9.2%0.88%0.51%
Mar 202658%25.9%6.8%8.2%0.73%0.3%
Apr 202654.2%29.7%7.6%7.7%0.67%0.28%
May 202658.8%26.3%7%6.9%0.76%0.3%
Jun 202659.6%26.6%5.7%7.1%0.76%0.31%
Jul 202654.5%29.8%6.5%7.9%0.82%0.43%
Aug 202655.3%30.3%6.7%6.5%0.72%0.44%
Sep 202654.9%24.6%9.7%9.6%0.7%0.53%

How has the Billabong and Rip Curl comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Billabong took it in May 2026, Rip Curl took it in June 2026, Billabong took it in August 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Billabong’s share of searches among swim shorts brands in New Zealand moved from 8.3% to 9.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.7K to 5.9K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rip Curl’s share of searches among swim shorts brands in New Zealand moved from 10.2% to 9.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7K to 5.8K.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Rip Curl gained share of searches among swim shorts brands in New Zealand, from 6.5% to 9.6%.

  2. In September 2026, Billabong gained share of searches among swim shorts brands in New Zealand, from 6.7% to 9.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

20 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Billabong’s and Rip Curl’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.

Billabong

12 branded search terms

  • billabong
  • billabong backpacks
  • billabong bathers
  • billabong hat
  • billabong hoodies
  • billabong jackets
  • billabong one piece
  • billabong shorts
  • billabong sundress
  • billabong t shirt
  • billabong wet suits
  • shirt billabong

Rip Curl

8 branded search terms

  • rip curl
  • rip curl outlet
  • rip curl sale
  • rip curl shirts
  • rip curl swimwear
  • rip curl togs
  • ripcurl
  • ripcurl rashvest

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among swim shorts brands

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