Area 51 vs I Love Ugly:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, I Love Ugly had more branded searches than Area 51 among streetwear and surf retailers in New Zealand. I Love Ugly had about 22,300 branded searches, while Area 51 had 5,410. I Love Ugly made up 12.1% of all streetwear and surf retailer searches we track, and Area 51 accounted for 2.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about streetwear and surf retailers, I Love Ugly appeared in two of the three answers and Area 51 in none.
Who do people search for more?
I Love Ugly, about 4 searches for every 1 for Area 51
Who does AI mention more?
I Love Ugly, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Area 51 in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
I Love Ugly, the only one of the two named
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Top streetwear and surf retailers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, I Love Ugly was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Area 51 did not appear in any of the three answers.
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.
North Beach3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Backdoor3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers- I Love Ugly2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Huffer2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
FallenFront2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Culture Kings0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Jay Jays0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
General Pants Co0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Hype DC0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Area 510 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about streetwear and surf retailers
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which streetwear or surf retailer should I shop at in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best streetwear and surf retailers in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best streetwear or surf retailer in New Zealand for streetwear clothes?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“surf shops nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“surf and skate shops”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Area 51 or I Love Ugly more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Area 51 and I Love Ugly by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten streetwear and surf retailers we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for I Love Ugly, Area 51. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | North Beach | Culture Kings | Jay Jays | I Love Ugly | Huffer | General Pants Co | Hype DC | Area 51 | Backdoor | FallenFront |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.6% | 21% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 9.2% | 7.2% | 3.5% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 1.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 23% | 23.1% | 11.5% | 18.8% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 2.8% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.4% | 19.8% | 14.9% | 10.8% | 8.3% | 5.8% | 3.3% | 2.1% | 4.2% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 27% | 22.2% | 13.5% | 9.9% | 8.4% | 7.9% | 3.1% | 3% | 3.3% | 1.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 26.2% | 21.5% | 13.1% | 11.7% | 8.3% | 7.7% | 3% | 3.5% | 3.2% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 21.5% | 21.6% | 14.6% | 14.4% | 10% | 6.3% | 3.6% | 3.5% | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.9% | 20.5% | 13.9% | 11.2% | 11.9% | 6.2% | 3.4% | 3.3% | 2.9% | 1.8% |
| May 2026 | 20.1% | 20.2% | 13.7% | 13.4% | 14% | 7.2% | 3.4% | 3.3% | 3% | 1.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 20.9% | 21.2% | 11.7% | 14% | 15% | 6.1% | 3.5% | 3.4% | 2.5% | 1.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 27% | 18.1% | 12.3% | 12.1% | 14% | 5.5% | 3% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 2% |
| Aug 2026 | 20.9% | 17.1% | 11.7% | 20.9% | 12.5% | 6.3% | 3.5% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 1.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.9% | 18.1% | 15% | 12.1% | 9.9% | 7% | 3.7% | 2.9% | 2.5% | 2% |
How has the Area 51 and I Love Ugly comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- I Love Ugly was ahead of Area 51 in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Area 51’s share of searches among streetwear and surf retailers in New Zealand moved from 3.4% to 2.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 5.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, I Love Ugly’s share of searches among streetwear and surf retailers in New Zealand moved from 11.5% to 12.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 22.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand streetwear and surf retailers in September 2026?
4 changes
In September 2026, Culture Kings overtook I Love Ugly to rank 2nd among streetwear and surf retailers in New Zealand, with 18.1% of the searches.
In September 2026, Jay Jays overtook I Love Ugly and Huffer to rank 3rd among streetwear and surf retailers in New Zealand, with 15% of the searches.
In September 2026, I Love Ugly lost share of searches among streetwear and surf retailers in New Zealand, from 20.9% to 12.1%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Area 51 in New Zealand fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 5.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Area 51’s and I Love Ugly’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.
Area 51
2 branded search terms
- area 51
- area 51 sneakers
I Love Ugly
3 branded search terms
- i love ugly
- i love ugly clothing
- iloveugly
Other head-to-heads among streetwear and surf retailers
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