Brandwave

Listerine vs Macleans:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, Listerine had more branded searches than Macleans among oral care brands in New Zealand. Listerine had about 2,160 branded searches, while Macleans had 280. Listerine made up 9.5% of all oral care brand searches we track, and Macleans accounted for 1.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about oral care brands, Macleans appeared in two of the five answers and Listerine in one. Macleans was mentioned before Listerine in two out of three answers that named either.

Among oral care brands in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Listerine, about 8 searches for every 1 for Macleans

Listerine 2.2K searchesMacleans 280 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Macleans, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Listerine in 1

Macleans in 2 of 5Listerine in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Macleans, named ahead of Listerine in 2 of 3 answers

Macleans first in 2Listerine first in 1

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Top oral care brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Macleans was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Listerine was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Macleans was listed before Listerine in two out of three answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Colgate1st
  2. Sensodyne2nd
  3. Oral-B3rd
  4. Listerine4th
  5. Grin Natural5th
  6. Macleans6th
  7. Philips Sonicare7th
  8. Waterpik–
  9. Corsodyl–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Colgate5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sensodyne4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Oral-B4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Grin Natural2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Macleans2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Philips Sonicare1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Listerine1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Waterpik0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Corsodyl0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about oral care brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Listerine or Macleans more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Listerine and Macleans by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine oral care brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Listerine and Macleans among oral care brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Listerine, Macleans. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthColgateSensodynePhilips SonicareOral-BListerineWaterpikGrin NaturalMacleansCorsodyl
Nov 202522.4%14.5%18.3%14%10.1%13.4%4.9%1.8%0.7%
Dec 202527.7%13.8%15.7%12.3%9.5%14.9%4.3%1.1%0.74%
Jan 202628%17%15.4%12.4%10.8%8.5%5.2%1.6%1%
Feb 202626.1%19.6%14.6%12%10.4%9.5%5.4%1.2%1.2%
Mar 202628.5%19.1%14.7%11.9%10.4%8%4.7%1.7%0.99%
Apr 202627.8%21%15.7%10.9%10.1%7.8%4.6%1.1%0.9%
May 202627.3%21%16%11.1%10.6%7%5%1.3%0.65%
Jun 202625.4%22.1%16.2%11%10.7%7.4%5.3%1.3%0.57%
Jul 202625.1%25.9%17.7%10%9.8%5%4.3%1.5%0.6%
Aug 202625.1%23.5%18.3%10.2%10%6.3%4.7%1.3%0.53%
Sep 202625.5%21.3%17.5%12.3%9.3%6.7%5.4%1.1%0.67%
Oct 202624.4%21.5%19.3%11.5%9.5%7.1%5%1.2%0.35%

How has branded search for Listerine and Macleans changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Listerine was ahead of Macleans in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Listerine’s share of searches among oral care brands in New Zealand moved from 10.1% to 9.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4K to 2.2K.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Macleans’ share of searches among oral care brands in New Zealand moved from 1.8% to 1.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 250 to 280.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand oral care brands in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Listerine in New Zealand rose 51% over 12 measured months, from 1.4K to 2.2K in October 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Macleans in New Zealand rose 12% over 12 measured months, from 250 to 280 in October 2026.

How are Listerine’s and Macleans’ branded searches counted?

18 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Listerine’s and Macleans’ 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.

Listerine

16 branded search terms

  • antiseptic listerine mouthwash
  • listerine
  • listerine antiseptic mouthwash
  • listerine antiseptic mouthwash original
  • listerine cool mint
  • listerine gold mouthwash
  • listerine mint cool
  • listerine mouthwash
  • listerine mouthwash original
  • listerine mouthwash zero
  • listerine original
  • listerine pocketpaks
  • listerine tabs
  • listerine total care
  • listerine zero
  • listerine zero mouthwash

Macleans

2 branded search terms

  • macleans toothbrush
  • macleans toothpaste

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among oral care brands

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