iHeartRadio vs Spotify:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Spotify had more branded searches than iHeartRadio among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand. Spotify had about 310,000 branded searches, while iHeartRadio had 16,500. Spotify made up 44% of all podcast and radio app searches we track, and iHeartRadio accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about podcast and radio apps, Spotify appeared in four of the five answers and iHeartRadio in three. Spotify was mentioned before iHeartRadio in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Spotify, about 19 searches for every 1 for iHeartRadio
Who does AI mention more?
Spotify, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, iHeartRadio in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Spotify, named ahead of iHeartRadio in 3 of 5 answers
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Top podcast and radio apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Spotify was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. iHeartRadio was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Spotify was listed before iHeartRadio in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
RNZ1st- Spotify2nd
rova3rd
Pocket Casts4th
iHeartRadio5th
Apple Podcasts6th
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which podcast or radio app should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best podcast and radio apps in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best podcast or radio app in New Zealand for listening on the go?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best podcast app”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“radio apps nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is iHeartRadio or Spotify more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for iHeartRadio and Spotify 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.
Share of searches by month for Spotify, iHeartRadio. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | RNZ | Spotify | iHeartRadio | rova | Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Pocket Casts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.1% | 43.8% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.13% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| Nov 2025 | 47.1% | 48.4% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.16% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Dec 2025 | 51.6% | 43.9% | 3.3% | 1% | 0.15% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 60.8% | 34.9% | 3.3% | 0.8% | 0.15% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.2% | 48.7% | 3.1% | 0.76% | 0.17% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.5% | 48.9% | 2.7% | 0.72% | 0.14% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.5% | 39.3% | 3.1% | 0.94% | 0.14% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| May 2026 | 47.3% | 49.2% | 2.6% | 0.72% | 0.13% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Jun 2026 | 42.3% | 54% | 2.7% | 0.78% | 0.14% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.1% | 39.9% | 3% | 0.69% | 0.15% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 52% | 44.2% | 2.8% | 0.78% | 0.13% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.3% | 44% | 2.3% | 1.1% | 0.13% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
How has the iHeartRadio and Spotify comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Spotify was ahead of iHeartRadio in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, iHeartRadio’s share of searches among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand moved from 2.8% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 19.6K to 16.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spotify’s share of searches among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand moved from 43.8% to 44%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 310K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand podcast and radio apps in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for iHeartRadio in New Zealand fell 16.1% over 12 measured months, from 19.6K to 16.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
19 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using iHeartRadio’s and Spotify’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.
iHeartRadio
11 branded search terms
- iheart radio
- iheart radio awards
- iheartradio
- iheartradio 1zb
- iheartradio app
- iheartradio country
- iheartradio festival
- iheartradio listen
- iheartradio podcasts
- iheartradio radio app
- iheartradio station
Spotify
8 branded search terms
- michael jackson spotify
- play spotify web
- spotify
- spotify dl
- spotify family
- spotify gift card
- spotify playlist downloader
- spotify podcast
Other head-to-heads among podcast and radio apps
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