Difflam vs Vicks:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Difflam had more branded searches than Vicks among cold and flu brands in New Zealand. Difflam had about 5,050 branded searches, while Vicks had 3,170. Difflam made up 18.6% of all cold and flu brand searches we track, and Vicks accounted for 11.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cold and flu brands, neither Difflam nor Vicks appeared in any of the five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Difflam, about 59% more searches than Vicks
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 0 of 5 answers.
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Top cold and flu brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, neither Difflam nor Vicks showed up in any of the five 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.
Codral3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sudafed2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Lemsip2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Demazin1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Difflam0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Strepsils0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Vicks0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Coldrex0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cold and flu brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cold and flu brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cold and flu brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cold and flu brand in New Zealand for blocked nose?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cold and flu medicine”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sore throat relief”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Difflam or Vicks more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Difflam and Vicks by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight cold and flu brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Difflam, Vicks. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sudafed | Difflam | Codral | Strepsils | Lemsip | Vicks | Demazin | Coldrex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 23.6% | 16.7% | 16.4% | 15.7% | 12% | 12.4% | 2.5% | 0.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 21.8% | 19.1% | 15.2% | 14.2% | 12.5% | 13.9% | 2.9% | 0.39% |
| Dec 2025 | 21.7% | 20.3% | 14.7% | 14.8% | 11.2% | 14.3% | 2.5% | 0.57% |
| Jan 2026 | 21.5% | 18.4% | 14% | 16.4% | 12.2% | 14.5% | 2.5% | 0.48% |
| Feb 2026 | 20.7% | 15.7% | 14.9% | 16.2% | 15.1% | 14.6% | 2.3% | 0.54% |
| Mar 2026 | 21% | 15.3% | 16.3% | 17.1% | 15.6% | 11.8% | 2.4% | 0.52% |
| Apr 2026 | 21.4% | 15.8% | 19.7% | 13.7% | 13% | 13.1% | 2.6% | 0.62% |
| May 2026 | 21.2% | 13.4% | 18.8% | 13.8% | 15.4% | 13.9% | 3% | 0.59% |
| Jun 2026 | 20.4% | 14.3% | 19.4% | 13.6% | 15.3% | 13.6% | 2.9% | 0.49% |
| Jul 2026 | 20.3% | 14.6% | 19.2% | 13.5% | 15.6% | 13.5% | 2.8% | 0.55% |
| Aug 2026 | 18.6% | 13.7% | 17.7% | 15.2% | 17.1% | 14.2% | 3% | 0.44% |
| Sep 2026 | 18.9% | 18.6% | 17.1% | 15.7% | 14.2% | 11.7% | 3.3% | 0.52% |
How has the Difflam and Vicks comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Vicks took it in May 2026, Difflam took it in June 2026, Vicks took it in August 2026, Difflam took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Difflam’s share of searches among cold and flu brands in New Zealand moved from 16.7% to 18.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vicks’ share of searches among cold and flu brands in New Zealand moved from 12.4% to 11.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.1K to 3.2K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand cold and flu brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Difflam overtook Codral and 3 others to rank 2nd among cold and flu brands in New Zealand, with 18.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, Vicks lost share of searches among cold and flu brands in New Zealand, from 14.2% to 11.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
18 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Difflam’s and Vicks’ 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.
Difflam
12 branded search terms
- benzydamine difflam
- difflam
- difflam gargle
- difflam mouth gel
- difflam mouth rinse
- difflam mouthwash
- difflam oral rinse
- difflam plus
- difflam spray
- difflam throat lozenges
- difflam throat spray
- difflamplus
Vicks
6 branded search terms
- vicks cough
- vicks inhaler
- vicks lozenges
- vicks sore throat
- vicks vaporub
- vicks vaporub newborn
Other head-to-heads among cold and flu brands
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