Brandwave

Apple Podcasts vs RNZ:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, RNZ had more branded searches than Apple Podcasts among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand. RNZ had about 368,000 branded searches, while Apple Podcasts had 880. RNZ made up 52.3% of all podcast and radio app searches we track, and Apple Podcasts accounted for 0.13%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about podcast and radio apps, RNZ appeared in four of the five answers and Apple Podcasts in three. RNZ was mentioned before Apple Podcasts in four out of five answers.

Among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

RNZ, about 418 searches for every 1 for Apple Podcasts

RNZ 368K searchesApple Podcasts 880 searches

Who does AI mention more?

RNZ, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Apple Podcasts in 3

RNZ in 4 of 5Apple Podcasts in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

RNZ, named ahead of Apple Podcasts in 4 of 5 answers

RNZ first in 4Apple Podcasts first in 1

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Top podcast and radio apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, RNZ was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple Podcasts was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. RNZ was listed before Apple Podcasts in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. RNZ1st
  2. Spotify2nd
  3. rova3rd
  4. Pocket Casts4th
  5. iHeartRadio5th
  6. Apple Podcasts6th
  7. Overcast7th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • RNZ4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Spotify4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • iHeartRadio3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • rova3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple Podcasts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Pocket Casts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Overcast1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about podcast and radio apps

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Apple Podcasts or RNZ more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Podcasts and RNZ by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven podcast and radio apps we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Apple Podcasts and RNZ among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for RNZ, Apple Podcasts. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRNZSpotifyiHeartRadiorovaApple PodcastsOvercastPocket Casts
Oct 202552.1%43.8%2.8%1%0.13%0.06%0.03%
Nov 202547.1%48.4%3%1.3%0.16%0.05%0.03%
Dec 202551.6%43.9%3.3%1%0.15%0.05%0.04%
Jan 202660.8%34.9%3.3%0.8%0.15%0.05%0.04%
Feb 202647.2%48.7%3.1%0.76%0.17%0.05%0.03%
Mar 202647.5%48.9%2.7%0.72%0.14%0.04%0.03%
Apr 202656.5%39.3%3.1%0.94%0.14%0.04%0.03%
May 202647.3%49.2%2.6%0.72%0.13%0.03%0.03%
Jun 202642.3%54%2.7%0.78%0.14%0.04%0.03%
Jul 202656.1%39.9%3%0.69%0.15%0.04%0.03%
Aug 202652%44.2%2.8%0.78%0.13%0.04%0.03%
Sep 202652.3%44%2.3%1.1%0.13%0.04%0.03%

How has the Apple Podcasts and RNZ comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand podcast and radio apps in September 2026?

0 changes

Neither Apple Podcasts nor RNZ moved beyond provider rounding among podcast and radio apps in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Podcasts’ and RNZ’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.

Apple Podcasts

4 branded search terms

  • apple podcasts
  • apple podcasts listen
  • apple podcasts podcasts
  • applepodcasts

RNZ

1 branded search term

  • RNZ

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among podcast and radio apps

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