Brandwave

Nerds vs Trolli:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Nerds and Trolli were level in searches among candy brands in the United States, with an estimated 27.1K branded searches each, at 5.2% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about candy brands, Nerds and Trolli each appeared in two of the four answers. Trolli was mentioned before Nerds in two out of three answers.

Among candy brands in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Nerds and Trolli are searched for about as often as each other.

Nerds 27.1K searchesTrolli 27.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 4 answers.

Nerds in 2 of 4Trolli in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Trolli, named ahead of Nerds in 2 of 3 answers

Trolli first in 2Nerds first in 1

Follow Nerds vs Trolli and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top candy brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Nerds was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Trolli was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Trolli was listed before Nerds in two out of three answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Haribo1st
  2. Sour Patch Kids2nd
  3. Trolli3rd
  4. Nerds4th
  5. Skittles5th
  6. Swedish Fish6th
  7. Twizzlers–
  8. Starburst–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Sour Patch Kids3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Haribo3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Skittles2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Nerds2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Trolli2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Swedish Fish1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Twizzlers0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Starburst0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about candy brands

4 answers

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 Nerds or Trolli more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Nerds and Trolli by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight candy brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Nerds and Trolli among candy brands in the United States, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthSkittlesSour Patch KidsTwizzlersSwedish FishHariboNerdsTrolliStarburst
Oct 202529.6%24.3%13.3%8.9%7.3%7.3%6%3.3%
Nov 202528.4%23.2%15.6%8.5%8.5%7%5.7%3.1%
Dec 202527.2%27.2%12.2%10%8.2%6.7%5.5%3%
Jan 202627.6%27.6%12.4%8.3%8.3%6.8%5.5%3.7%
Feb 202631.9%26.1%11.7%7.8%7.8%6.4%5.2%2.9%
Mar 202631.4%25.7%11.5%9.4%7.7%6.3%5.2%2.8%
Apr 202627.2%27.2%12.2%10%8.2%6.7%5.5%3%
May 202627.1%27.1%12.1%9.9%8.1%6.6%6.6%2.4%
Jun 202628.7%23.6%12.9%10.6%8.6%7.1%5.8%2.6%
Jul 202625.3%25.3%13.9%11.3%9.3%7.6%5.1%2.3%
Aug 202630.1%24.6%13.5%9%9%5%6.1%2.7%
Sep 202631.9%26.1%11.7%9.6%7.8%5.2%5.2%2.3%

How has the Nerds and Trolli comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Trolli took it in August 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nerds’ share of searches among candy brands in the United States moved from 7.3% to 5.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 27.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Trolli’s share of searches among candy brands in the United States moved from 6% to 5.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 27.1K.

How did search popularity change for United States candy brands in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Trolli lost share of searches among candy brands in the United States, from 6.1% to 5.2%.

  2. In September 2026, Nerds rose from 7th to 6th among candy brands in the United States.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Nerds’ and Trolli’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.

Nerds

1 branded search term

  • nerds candy

Trolli

1 branded search term

  • trolli

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among candy brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.