WhatsApp vs YouTube:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, YouTube had more branded searches than WhatsApp among social media platforms in New Zealand. YouTube had about 3.4 million branded searches, while WhatsApp had 184,000. YouTube made up 42.8% of all social media platform searches we track, and WhatsApp accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social media platforms, YouTube appeared in four of the five answers and WhatsApp in two. YouTube was mentioned before WhatsApp in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
YouTube, about 19 searches for every 1 for WhatsApp
Who does AI mention more?
YouTube, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, WhatsApp in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
YouTube, named ahead of WhatsApp in 3 of 4 answers
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Top social media platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, YouTube was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. WhatsApp was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. YouTube was listed before WhatsApp in three out of four answers that named either.
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.
Facebook5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Instagram5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
TikTok5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- YouTube4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Reddit4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
LinkedIn3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Snapchat3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pinterest2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
WhatsApp2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Threads0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about social media platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which social media platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best social media platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best social media platform in New Zealand for sharing and browsing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“social media platforms nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“popular social media apps”
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 WhatsApp or YouTube more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for WhatsApp and YouTube by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten social media platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for YouTube, WhatsApp. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | YouTube | TikTok | Snapchat | Threads | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.9% | 30.2% | 8.7% | 4.1% | 4.7% | 3.4% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.8% | 30.9% | 7.3% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 44.8% | 31.6% | 7.4% | 4.2% | 4% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 1.8% | 1.1% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 44% | 31.2% | 7.3% | 4.1% | 3.9% | 4.2% | 2% | 2.1% | 1% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 43.8% | 31% | 7.2% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.2% | 27.2% | 7.7% | 4.3% | 5% | 3.7% | 2% | 2.3% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.9% | 30.7% | 7.1% | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.1% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 41.7% | 29.8% | 8.4% | 4.7% | 5.5% | 4% | 2.3% | 2% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 42.4% | 30.2% | 7% | 4.8% | 5.6% | 4% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.4% | 30.9% | 7.2% | 4.1% | 4.7% | 4.1% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.3% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.2% | 30.2% | 7% | 4.8% | 5.6% | 4% | 2.3% | 2.5% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.8% | 30.6% | 7.1% | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 1.5% | <0.01% |
How has the WhatsApp and YouTube comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- YouTube was ahead of WhatsApp in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WhatsApp’s share of searches among social media platforms in New Zealand moved from 2.1% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 184K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, YouTube’s share of searches among social media platforms in New Zealand moved from 42.9% to 42.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 3.4M.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand social media platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, YouTube gained share of searches among social media platforms in New Zealand, from 42.2% to 42.8%.
In September 2026, WhatsApp rose from 8th to 7th among social media platforms in New Zealand.
How are branded searches counted?
17 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using WhatsApp’s and YouTube’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.
Other head-to-heads among social media platforms
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