Chocolate brands in the United States:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, Hershey's was the most searched chocolate brand in the United States, accounting for 20.1% of all searches among the 11 brands we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Ghirardelli, Lindt and Valrhona were mentioned most often, in three of the five answers. Lindt was recommended most often, coming first in one out of three responses that gave a list.
Hershey'sShare of searches 20.1%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
M&M'sShare of searches 16.5%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
Reese'sShare of searches 13.5%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
GhirardelliShare of searches 11%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
KitKatShare of searches 11%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
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Top chocolate brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ghirardelli, Lindt and Valrhona were mentioned most often, in three of the five answers. Lindt was recommended most often, coming first in one out of three answers that gave a list. Ghirardelli was second, and Valrhona was third. M&M's, which ranked second in searches, was not mentioned at all.
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.
Ghirardelli3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Lindt3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Valrhona3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hershey's2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Snickers2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Twix2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tony's Chocolonely2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Reese's1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Hu1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
M&M's0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
KitKat0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about chocolate brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best chocolate brand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which candy bar is the most popular in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best chocolate to give as a gift?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chocolate brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best chocolate”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 27, 2026.
Which chocolate brands do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each chocolate brand by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 chocolate brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Hershey's, M&M's, Reese's, Ghirardelli, KitKat, Snickers, Twix, Tony's Chocolonely, Hu, Lindt. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Hershey's | M&M's | Reese's | Ghirardelli | KitKat | Snickers | Twix | Tony's Chocolonely | Hu | Lindt | Valrhona |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 13.4% | 16.4% | 16.4% | 9% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 9% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 3.3% | 0.44% |
| Nov 2025 | 13.9% | 13.9% | 13.9% | 13.9% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 4.2% | 2.3% | 5.1% | 0.68% |
| Dec 2025 | 14% | 11.4% | 14% | 20.8% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 6.3% | 0.84% |
| Jan 2026 | 16% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 16% | 10.6% | 10.6% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 4.8% | 0.78% |
| Feb 2026 | 15.1% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 3% | 4.5% | 0.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 14.1% | 14.1% | 11.6% | 9.4% | 25.8% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 3.5% | 0.57% |
| Apr 2026 | 14.9% | 14.9% | 14.9% | 10% | 18.2% | 10% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 3% | 0.73% |
| May 2026 | 16.3% | 16.3% | 13.3% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 6% | 0.65% |
| Jun 2026 | 13.3% | 36.2% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 10.8% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.43% |
| Jul 2026 | 17.6% | 14.4% | 11.8% | 14.4% | 14.4% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 0.57% |
| Aug 2026 | 18.4% | 15% | 15% | 12.2% | 10.1% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 3% | 0.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 20.1% | 16.5% | 13.5% | 11% | 11% | 11% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 0.54% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 20.1% | 201K | +21.8% | +1.8 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 16.5% | 165K | +22.2% | +1.5 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.5% | 135K | 0% | -1.5 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 11% | 110K | 0% | -1.2 points | |
| 5, moved from 6th to 5th | 11% | 110K | +21.5% | +1 pointsmoved from 6th to 5th | |
| 6, moved from 5th to 6th | 11% | 110K | 0% | -1.2 pointsmoved from 5th to 6th | |
| 7, held 7th | 7.4% | 74K | +22.3% | +0.7 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 3.3% | 33.1K | 0% | -0.4 points | |
| 9, held 9th | 2.7% | 27.1K | 0% | -0.3 points | |
| 10, held 10th | 2.7% | 27.1K | 0% | -0.3 points | |
| 11, held 11th | 0.54% | 5.4K | 0% | -0.1 points |
20.1%
Held 1st. 201K estimated branded searches, +21.8% vs prior month. Share +1.8 points.
2.
M&M's16.5%
Held 2nd. 165K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +1.5 points.
3.
Reese's13.5%
Held 3rd. 135K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.5 points.
11%
Held 4th. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.2 points.
5.
KitKat11%
Moved from 6th to 5th. 110K estimated branded searches, +21.5% vs prior month. Share +1 points.
6.
Snickers11%
Moved from 5th to 6th. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.2 points.
7.
Twix7.4%
Held 7th. 74K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
3.3%
Held 8th. 33.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
9.
Hu2.7%
Held 9th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
10.
Lindt2.7%
Held 10th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
11.
Valrhona0.54%
Held 11th. 5.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among chocolate brands in the United States?
11 brands
In September 2026, Hershey's was the most searched among chocolate brands in the United States, with an estimated 201K branded searches, 20.1% of all searches for the 11 we track. M&M's is in 2nd place, 3.6 percentage points behind at 16.5%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.4% → 20.1% | 20.1%Sep 2026 | 13.3%Jun 2026 | 3rd → 1st | |
| 16.4% → 16.5% | 36.2%Jun 2026 | 11.4%Dec 2025 | 1st → 2nd | |
| 16.4% → 13.5% | 16.4%Oct 2025 | 8.9%Jun 2026 | 2nd → 3rd | |
| 9% → 11% | 20.8%Dec 2025 | 8.9%Jun 2026 | 6th → 4th | |
| 13.4% → 11% | 25.8%Mar 2026 | 9.3%Dec 2025 | 4th → 5th | |
| 13.4% → 11% | 13.4%Oct 2025 | 8.9%Jun 2026 | 5th → 6th | |
| 9% → 7.4% | 9.3%Nov 2025 | 4.9%Jun 2026 | 7th | |
| 3.3% | 5.1%Dec 2025 | 2.8%Mar 2026 | 9th → 8th | |
| 1.8% → 2.7% | 3.2%Jan 2026 | 1.8%Oct 2025 | 10th → 9th | |
| 3.3% → 2.7% | 6.3%Dec 2025 | 2.2%Jun 2026 | 8th → 10th | |
| 0.44% → 0.54% | 0.84%Dec 2025 | 0.43%Jun 2026 | 11th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hershey's’ share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States increased from 13.4% to 20.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Reese's’ share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States decreased from 16.4% to 13.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ghirardelli’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States increased from 9% to 11%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KitKat’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States decreased from 13.4% to 11%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Snickers’ share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States decreased from 13.4% to 11%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Twix’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States decreased from 9% to 7.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hu’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States increased from 1.8% to 2.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lindt’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States decreased from 3.3% to 2.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hershey's’ share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 20.1% in September 2026 and was lowest at 13.3% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, M&M's’ share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 36.2% in June 2026 and was lowest at 11.4% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Reese's’ share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 16.4% in October 2025 and was lowest at 8.9% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ghirardelli’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 20.8% in December 2025 and was lowest at 8.9% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KitKat’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 25.8% in March 2026 and was lowest at 9.3% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Snickers’ share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 13.4% in October 2025 and was lowest at 8.9% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Twix’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 9.3% in November 2025 and was lowest at 4.9% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tony's Chocolonely’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 5.1% in December 2025 and was lowest at 2.8% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hu’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 3.2% in January 2026 and was lowest at 1.8% in October 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lindt’s share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States peaked at 6.3% in December 2025 and was lowest at 2.2% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hershey's rose from 3rd to 1st among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, M&M's fell from 1st to 2nd among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Reese's fell from 2nd to 3rd among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ghirardelli rose from 6th to 4th among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KitKat fell from 4th to 5th among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Snickers fell from 5th to 6th among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tony's Chocolonely rose from 9th to 8th among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hu rose from 10th to 9th among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lindt fell from 8th to 10th among chocolate brands in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Valrhona held steady: its share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for United States chocolate brands in September 2026?
8 changes

In September 2026, KitKat overtook Snickers to rank 5th among chocolate brands in the United States, with 11% of the searches.

In September 2026, Hershey's gained share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States, from 18.4% to 20.1%.

In September 2026, M&M's gained share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States, from 15% to 16.5%.

In September 2026, Twix gained share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States, from 6.7% to 7.4%.

In September 2026, Reese's lost share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States, from 15% to 13.5%.

In September 2026, Ghirardelli lost share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States, from 12.2% to 11%.

In September 2026, Snickers lost share of searches among chocolate brands in the United States, from 12.2% to 11%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Lindt in the United States fell 45.3% over 12 measured months, from 49.5K to 27.1K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted for chocolate brands?
11 search terms
Each brand's share of searches among chocolate brands comes from the terms listed under its name. When people mostly search for a brand because of something else it sells, only the searches that name this product count here.
Hershey's
1 branded search term
- hershey's
M&M's
1 branded search term
- m&ms
Reese's
1 branded search term
- reese's
Ghirardelli
1 branded search term
- ghirardelli
KitKat
1 branded search term
- kitkat
Snickers
1 branded search term
- snickers
Twix
1 branded search term
- twix
Tony's Chocolonely
1 branded search term
- tony's chocolonely
Hu
1 branded search term
- hu chocolate
Lindt
1 branded search term
- lindt
Valrhona
1 branded search term
- valrhona
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