Kobo vs Spotify:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Spotify had more branded searches than Kobo among audiobook and ebook services in New Zealand. Spotify had about 310,000 branded searches, while Kobo had 12,800. Spotify made up 85.8% of all audiobook and ebook service searches we track, and Kobo accounted for 3.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about audiobook and ebook services, Kobo appeared in all five answers and Spotify in two. Kobo was mentioned before Spotify in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Spotify, about 24 searches for every 1 for Kobo
Who does AI mention more?
Kobo, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Kobo, named ahead of Spotify in 4 of 5 answers
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Top audiobook and ebook services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kobo appeared in all five answers. Spotify was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kobo was listed before Spotify in four out of 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.
- Kobo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Libby5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Audible4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Kindle3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
BorrowBox3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Spotify2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Storytel0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about audiobook and ebook services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which audiobook or ebook service should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best audiobook and ebook services in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best audiobook or ebook service in New Zealand for reading on the go?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best audiobook app”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ebook 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 Kobo or Spotify more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Kobo and Spotify by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven audiobook and ebook services we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Spotify, Kobo. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Spotify | Kindle | Kobo | Audible | Libby | BorrowBox | Storytel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 86.1% | 7.3% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 0.7% | 0.31% | 0.03% |
| Nov 2025 | 82.7% | 10% | 3.3% | 3% | 0.69% | 0.28% | 0.03% |
| Dec 2025 | 79.2% | 11.5% | 4.6% | 3.5% | 0.81% | 0.3% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 75.7% | 13.4% | 5% | 4.2% | 1.2% | 0.43% | 0.05% |
| Feb 2026 | 86.2% | 7.2% | 2.6% | 2.8% | 0.84% | 0.29% | 0.02% |
| Mar 2026 | 87.6% | 6.2% | 2.2% | 3% | 0.79% | 0.23% | 0.03% |
| Apr 2026 | 82% | 8.8% | 3.8% | 4.1% | 1.1% | 0.32% | 0.03% |
| May 2026 | 86.7% | 6.3% | 2.8% | 3% | 0.96% | 0.25% | 0.02% |
| Jun 2026 | 87% | 6.8% | 2.7% | 2.4% | 0.91% | 0.22% | 0.02% |
| Jul 2026 | 82.7% | 8.4% | 3.8% | 3.5% | 1.2% | 0.45% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 85.5% | 7% | 3.3% | 2.8% | 1.1% | 0.3% | 0.03% |
| Sep 2026 | 85.8% | 7.1% | 3.6% | 2.6% | 0.73% | 0.26% | 0.02% |
How has the Kobo and Spotify comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Spotify was ahead of Kobo in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kobo’s share of searches among audiobook and ebook services in New Zealand moved from 2.6% to 3.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.2K to 12.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spotify’s share of searches among audiobook and ebook services in New Zealand moved from 86.1% to 85.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 310K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand audiobook and ebook services in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Kobo in New Zealand rose 39.3% over 12 measured months, from 9.2K to 12.8K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
21 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kobo’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.
Kobo
13 branded search terms
- kobo
- kobo app
- kobo audiobooks
- kobo clara
- kobo clara cover
- kobo colour
- kobo cover
- kobo ebooks
- kobo inc
- kobo libra
- kobo nia
- kobo sage
- kobo stylus
Spotify
8 branded search terms
- michael jackson spotify
- play spotify web
- spotify
- spotify dl
- spotify family
- spotify gift card
- spotify playlist downloader
- spotify podcast
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