Brandwave

Nerds vs Twizzlers:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Twizzlers had more branded searches than Nerds among candy brands in the United States. Twizzlers had about 60,500 branded searches, while Nerds had 27,100. Twizzlers made up 11.7% of all candy brand searches we track, and Nerds accounted for 5.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about candy brands, Nerds appeared in two of the four answers and Twizzlers in none.

Among candy brands in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Twizzlers, about 2 searches for every 1 for Nerds

Twizzlers 60.5K searchesNerds 27.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Nerds, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Twizzlers in 0

Nerds in 2 of 4Twizzlers in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Nerds, the only one of the two named

Nerds first in 2Twizzlers never named

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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. Twizzlers did not appear in any of the four 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 Twizzlers more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Nerds and Twizzlers 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 Twizzlers among candy brands in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Twizzlers, Nerds. 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 Twizzlers comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Twizzlers was ahead of Nerds in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 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, Twizzlers’ share of searches among candy brands in the United States moved from 13.3% to 11.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 60.5K.

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

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Twizzlers lost share of searches among candy brands in the United States, from 13.5% to 11.7%.

  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 Twizzlers’ 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

Twizzlers

1 branded search term

  • twizzlers

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among candy brands

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