Aleve vs Excedrin:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Aleve and Excedrin were level in searches among pain relief brands in the United States, with an estimated 165K branded searches each, at 13.7% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pain relief brands, Aleve appeared in four of the five answers and Excedrin in one. Aleve was mentioned before Excedrin in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Aleve and Excedrin are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Aleve, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Excedrin in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Aleve, named ahead of Excedrin in 3 of 4 answers
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Top pain relief brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Aleve was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Excedrin was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Aleve was listed before Excedrin in three out of four 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.
Advil5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Tylenol4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Aleve4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Motrin4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Excedrin1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Icy Hot0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Bayer Aspirin0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about pain relief brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best over-the-counter pain reliever?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best thing to take for a migraine?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's good for back pain?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pain reliever”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best pain reliever”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 27, 2026.
Is Aleve or Excedrin more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Aleve and Excedrin by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven pain relief brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Aleve, Excedrin. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tylenol | Advil | Aleve | Excedrin | Motrin | Icy Hot | Bayer Aspirin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.6% | 13.6% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 6.1% | 1% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.5% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 11.6% | 6.3% | 1.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.7% | 16.4% | 13.5% | 13.5% | 13.5% | 4.9% | 1.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.2% | 16.2% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 6% | 1.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 39.9% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 12% | 12% | 5.4% | 1.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.3% | 14% | 14% | 14% | 11.5% | 6.3% | 1.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 34.7% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 12.7% | 12.7% | 7% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 35.2% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 12.9% | 12.9% | 5.8% | 1.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 36% | 16.2% | 16.2% | 13.2% | 10.8% | 5.9% | 1.8% |
| Jul 2026 | 40.3% | 14.8% | 14.8% | 12.1% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.4% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 6.3% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.2% | 16.6% | 13.7% | 13.7% | 11.2% | 6.1% | 1.5% |
How has the Aleve and Excedrin comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Aleve was ahead of Excedrin in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Aleve’s share of searches among pain relief brands in the United States moved from 11.2% to 13.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Excedrin’s share of searches among pain relief brands in the United States moved from 11.2% to 13.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 165K.
How did search popularity change for United States pain relief brands in September 2026?
1 change
Aleve’s share of searches among pain relief brands in the United States has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 16.2% to 13.7% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Aleve’s and Excedrin’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 pain relief brands
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