Generative AI’s Top Choice for ‘Water Server’ is Every Precious (77.8% Mention Rate) — Surveying ‘AI Recommendations’ via Fixed-Point Queries to ChatGPT and Gemini (September 2026) —

Branding Works, Inc. (Headquarters: Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture; CEO: Yasunori Neya; hereinafter ‘the Company’) is conducting a fixed-point survey to continuously record which companies generative AI names when asked, ‘What water server do you recommend?’ and is releasing the results for September 2026.

Key Findings of the Survey

・The most frequently mentioned brand was Every Precious (77.8% mention rate, average appearance rank of 1.2).

・The top brand by mention rate differed by AI, with ChatGPT favoring Water Stand (67%) and Gemini favoring Every Precious (100%).

・The information source most frequently cited by AI as the basis for its answers was waterserver.kakaku.com (17% citation share).

Background of the Survey

As the behavior of asking ChatGPT or Gemini directly, ‘What service do you recommend?’ becomes more widespread, whether or not an AI mentions a company name is beginning to influence customer acquisition. On the other hand, because AI responses are determined by criteria different from search rankings, there have been almost no means to grasp how one’s own company or competitors are being treated by AI. Our company uses a proprietary LLMO measurement tool to record generative AI responses daily and continuously surveys ‘companies chosen by AI’ for each industry.

Survey Results

Mention Rate Ranking: 1st Place is Every Precious (77.8%)

1st: Every Precious – Mention Rate 77.8% (Average Appearance Rank 1.2)

2nd: Premium Water – Mention Rate 77.8% (Average Appearance Rank 3.9)

3rd: Cosmo Water – Mention Rate 64.8% (Average Appearance Rank 4.5)

4th: Water Stand – Mention Rate 63% (Average Appearance Rank 3.4)

5th: Frecious – Mention Rate 51.9% (Average Appearance Rank 3.8)

6th: Locca – Mention Rate 48.1% (Average Appearance Rank 2.6)

7th: Crecla – Mention Rate 48.1% (Average Appearance Rank 6.2)

8th: Aquaclara – Mention Rate 38.9% (Average Appearance Rank 6.6)

9th: Humming Water – Mention Rate 35.2% (Average Appearance Rank 2.8)

10th: Japanet Water – Mention Rate 13% (Average Appearance Rank 4.7)

* Mention Rate = The percentage of total responses in which the company name appeared. In the case of a tie, ranking is determined by the average appearance rank (the order in which it was mentioned within the response).

ChatGPT ranks Water Stand 1st, while Gemini ranks Every Precious 1st

The top mention rate differed by AI, with ChatGPT favoring Water Stand (67%) and Gemini favoring Every Precious (100%).

Additionally, while Every Precious (ChatGPT 56%, Gemini 100%), Premium Water (ChatGPT 63%, Gemini 93%), and Cosmo Water (ChatGPT 30%, Gemini 100%) appeared in both AIs, their mention rates were significantly higher in Gemini.

Conversely, Frecious (ChatGPT 67%, Gemini 37%) had a significantly higher mention rate in ChatGPT.

These results demonstrate that even with the same question, the companies suggested change depending on which AI is asked.

AI introduces options based on three perspectives: ‘Design,’ ‘Ease of bottle replacement,’ and ‘For babies/child-rearing’

Analyzing the responses, AI tended not to simply list company names but to introduce them based on what users prioritize. The main perspectives that appeared in the September 2026 responses are as follows:

1. Design (appeared in 77.8% of responses) — Main companies introduced: Premium Water, Frecious, Every Precious

2. Ease of bottle replacement (appeared in 44.4% of responses) — Main companies introduced: Cosmo Water, Frecious, Water Stand

3. For babies/child-rearing (appeared in 44.4% of responses) — Main companies introduced: Crecla, Aquaclara, Premium Water

Response examples:

・ ‘Models with high design quality are at the top of the popularity rankings’

・ ‘There are models that use lightweight 7-9L packs, which are easier to replace than 12L bottles’

・ ‘Premium Water, which has won 1st place in the natural water server category of the Tamahiyo Baby Goods Awards for multiple years’

* Response examples are summaries based on the content of actual AI responses

In other words, to increase nominations via AI, it is important to design which ‘perspective’ your company is discussed through.

Approximately 20% of citations are from waterserver.kakaku.com, with comparison sites being the primary source

The top sites cited as the basis for the responses are as follows.

1. waterserver.kakaku.com (Citation share 17%)

2. mynavi.jp (Citation share 6.7%)

3. mizu-navi.jp (Citation share 6.2%)

4. cosmolife.co.jp (Citation share 6.2%)

5. my-best.com (Citation share 5.8%)

Comparison sites and ranking articles are the primary sources of citations, and it is believed that AI recommendations are influenced by the content published on these sites. The structure is such that being featured in specific media determines whether or not a brand is chosen by AI.

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Generative AI Industry Survey (September 2026)

Survey Conducted By: Branding Works Inc.

Survey Period: 9 days of measurement conducted between September 18 and September 30, 2026

Survey Method: The same question, “What water server do you recommend?”, was sent 3 times per day to both ChatGPT (model: gpt-5.1) and Gemini (model: gemini-3.1-pro) APIs, and the company names appearing in the responses were aggregated (conducted with Web Search enabled).

Number of Valid Responses: 54 (2 AIs × 3 times per day × 9 days of measurement)

Aggregation Definition: Mention Rate = Number of responses where the company name appeared ÷ Total number of responses / Average Appearance Rank = Average position in which the company was listed within the response

Notes on Using Survey Results

・Since generative AI responses fluctuate daily, these results indicate trends as of the survey period.

・This survey does not evaluate the quality of service of each company.

・The figures and graphs in this release may be used freely in reports, articles, etc., provided that “Source: Branding Works Inc. Survey” is clearly stated.

About Branding Works Inc.

A company providing SEO and AI search optimization (AIO/LLMO) services based on over 10 years of SEO expertise.

Features include a contract structure starting from 15,000 yen per month, with zero initial fees, no minimum contract period, and the ability to decide whether to continue the following month based on monthly results.

There are cases where monthly applications to job sites via AI search increased from 1 to 83, and inquiries for clinics increased from 0 to 56.

We are currently offering a free AI search strategy diagnostic worth 300,000 yen, limited to 10 companies per month. (Details and application: https://www.branding-works.jp/shindan/)

Features

・Price: From 15,000 yen per month

・Initial cost: 0 yen

・Minimum contract period: None (decide whether to continue month by month)

・Track record: Over 10 years of SEO experience / Applications via AI search increased from 1 to 83, inquiries from 0 to 56 and 0 to 38

・Scope of support: SEO + AI search optimization (AIO/LLMO), from content design to site implementation

Company Overview

Company Name: Branding Works Co., Ltd.

Address: 6F Shop & Office Building, Kashiwanoha Campus 148 Block 2, 178-4 Wakashiba, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture

Representative: Yasunori Neya, Representative Director

Business Description: SEO/LLMO optimization, content marketing support, article creation, web production, media operation, etc.

URL: https://branding-works.jp