Kernel vs Snowball Effect:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kernel had more branded searches than Snowball Effect among investment platforms in New Zealand. Kernel had about 27,200 branded searches, while Snowball Effect had 600. Kernel made up 15.1% of all investment platform searches we track, and Snowball Effect accounted for 0.33%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about investment platforms, Kernel appeared in four of the five answers and Snowball Effect in none.
Who do people search for more?
Kernel, about 45 searches for every 1 for Snowball Effect
Who does AI mention more?
Kernel, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Snowball Effect in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Kernel, the only one of the two named
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Top investment platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kernel was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Snowball Effect 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.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Sharesies5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
InvestNow5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Kernel4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hatch4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
ASB Securities2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Tiger Brokers1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Craigs Investment Partners0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Forsyth Barr0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Jarden0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Snowball Effect0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about investment platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which investment platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best investment platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best investment platform in New Zealand for a beginner investor?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“investment platforms nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“share trading app”
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 Kernel or Snowball Effect more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Kernel and Snowball Effect by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 investment platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Kernel, Snowball Effect. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sharesies | Kernel | Hatch | InvestNow | Craigs Investment Partners | Forsyth Barr | ASB Securities | Jarden | Tiger Brokers | Snowball Effect | Stake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.6% | 7.9% | 16.3% | 7.9% | 8.2% | 4.7% | 5.2% | 0.7% | 0.82% | 0.21% | 0.42% |
| Nov 2025 | 44.6% | 9% | 15.1% | 9% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 4.8% | 0.76% | 0.78% | 0.36% | 0.28% |
| Dec 2025 | 41% | 9.8% | 16.9% | 10% | 9.1% | 6% | 5.4% | 0.62% | 0.68% | 0.27% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 46.1% | 9.4% | 15.5% | 9.2% | 8.3% | 4.5% | 5% | 0.55% | 0.96% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| Feb 2026 | 45.8% | 9.3% | 12.7% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 5.5% | 4.9% | 0.93% | 0.8% | 0.54% | 0.25% |
| Mar 2026 | 43.5% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 8.7% | 9.6% | 6.3% | 5.8% | 0.92% | 0.77% | 0.42% | 0.23% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.8% | 11.1% | 14.5% | 10.5% | 9.4% | 5.1% | 4.6% | 0.63% | 0.75% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| May 2026 | 42.5% | 12.7% | 14.5% | 10.4% | 8.9% | 4.2% | 4.6% | 0.72% | 0.89% | 0.34% | 0.24% |
| Jun 2026 | 42.4% | 12.7% | 14.4% | 10.5% | 8.5% | 5% | 4.6% | 0.5% | 0.89% | 0.28% | 0.21% |
| Jul 2026 | 37.2% | 16.6% | 12.7% | 11.2% | 9.5% | 5.4% | 4.9% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.18% |
| Aug 2026 | 40% | 14.9% | 11.1% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 5.8% | 5.3% | 2.1% | 0.54% | 0.39% | 0.23% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.8% | 15.1% | 11.6% | 10.2% | 9.9% | 5% | 4.5% | 0.83% | 0.5% | 0.33% | 0.21% |
How has the Kernel and Snowball Effect comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Kernel was ahead of Snowball Effect in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kernel’s share of searches among investment platforms in New Zealand moved from 7.9% to 15.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.5K to 27.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Snowball Effect’s share of searches among investment platforms in New Zealand moved from 0.21% to 0.33%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 490 to 600.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand investment platforms in September 2026?
2 changes

Estimated monthly branded searches for Kernel in New Zealand rose 47.2% over 12 measured months, from 18.5K to 27.2K in September 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Snowball Effect in New Zealand rose 22.4% over 12 measured months, from 490 to 600 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
14 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kernel’s and Snowball Effect’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.
Kernel
11 branded search terms
- kernel cash fund
- kernel fund
- kernel funds
- kernel invest
- kernel investment funds
- kernel kiwisaver
- kernel kiwisaver funds
- kernel wealth
- kernel wealth funds
- kernel wealth kiwisaver
- kiwisaver kernel
Snowball Effect
3 branded search terms
- Snowball Effect
- snowball effect investing
- snowball effect investment
Other head-to-heads among investment platforms

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