Brandwave

Dilmah vs Lipton:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Dilmah had more branded searches than Lipton among tea bag brands in New Zealand. Dilmah had about 480 branded searches, while Lipton had 170. Dilmah made up 21% of all tea bag brand searches we track, and Lipton accounted for 7.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tea bag brands, Dilmah appeared in all five answers and Lipton in none.

Among tea bag brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Dilmah, about 3 searches for every 1 for Lipton

Dilmah 480 searchesLipton 170 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Dilmah, mentioned in every answer we collected

Dilmah in 5 of 5Lipton in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Dilmah, the only one of the two named

Dilmah first in 3Lipton never named

Follow Dilmah vs Lipton and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top tea bag brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Dilmah appeared in all five answers. Lipton did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Dilmah1st
  2. Bell Tea2nd
  3. Twinings3rd
  4. Zealong4th
  5. Pukka5th
  6. Lipton–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Dilmah5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Bell Tea3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Twinings3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Zealong2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Pukka1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Lipton0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about tea bag 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 Dilmah or Lipton more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Dilmah and Lipton by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six tea bag brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Dilmah and Lipton among tea bag brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Dilmah, Lipton. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthZealongBell TeaDilmahTwiningsLiptonPukka
Oct 202547.6%14.3%17.6%14.3%5.1%1.1%
Nov 202549.6%14.9%18.3%9.9%6.5%0.76%
Dec 202558%11.6%14.1%9.4%6.2%0.72%
Jan 202655%13.4%13.4%11%5.8%1.4%
Feb 202651.8%12.7%15.5%12.7%6.8%0.4%
Mar 202642.6%20.4%16.6%13.6%6%0.85%
Apr 202644.8%17.5%17.5%14.3%4.9%0.9%
May 202650.5%15.1%15.1%15.1%3.5%0.63%
Jun 202639.7%23.4%15.5%15.5%5.6%0.4%
Jul 202641%19.7%19.7%13.1%5.7%0.82%
Aug 202635.2%19.2%23.6%12.8%8.4%0.8%
Sep 202638.4%21%21%11.4%7.4%0.87%

How has the Dilmah and Lipton comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Dilmah was ahead of Lipton in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dilmah’s share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand moved from 17.6% to 21%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 480.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lipton’s share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand moved from 5.1% to 7.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 140 to 170.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand tea bag brands in September 2026?

3 changes
  1. In September 2026, Bell Tea overtook Dilmah to rank 2nd among tea bag brands in New Zealand, with 21% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Dilmah lost share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand, from 23.6% to 21%.

  3. In September 2026, Lipton lost share of searches among tea bag brands in New Zealand, from 8.4% to 7.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dilmah’s and Lipton’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.

Dilmah

1 branded search term

  • dilmah

Lipton

1 branded search term

  • lipton ice tea

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among tea bag brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.