A new 5WPR analysis reveals that AI search results dynamically tailor product recommendations based on consumer intent rather than traditional brand dominance. This new data shows that Liquid Death Sparkling Energy captured the #1 spot for studying, while Celsius took top honors prior to a gym workout. Meanwhile, legacy favorite Red Bull Sugarfree landed on both lists, yet failed to lead in either scenario.
These AI rankings—where lesser-searched brands like Liquid Death and Celsius outperformed legacy giants—defied traditional Google search volume. Our analysis estimated 368,000 monthly U.S. Google searches for Red Bull and 2,900 for Liquid Death Energy. In the captured answers, ChatGPT discussed caffeine, sugar, serving size, and the activity each drink might suit.
What is a use-case for energy drinks?
A use-case query describes what a consumer wants to do or needs from a product. Examples include “best energy drink for studying,” “best energy drink before the gym,” and “healthiest energy drink.” A branded search identifies a product or company, such as “Red Bull” or “Celsius energy drink.” The analysis compares U.S. Google search estimates with monthly AI query estimates in ChatGPT.
How do consumers search for energy drinks?
In the selected keyword groups, use-case queries had a higher ratio of estimated AI queries to Google searches than brand queries. An estimated 8,428 monthly AI queries and 45,440 Google searches across 12 use-case and product-attribute phrases. The ratio was 18.5%, compared with 8.8% across eight brand terms. Without Red Bull, the brand-term ratio was 3.3%.
The difference also appeared in individual phrases. “Healthiest energy drink” had an estimated 5,925 monthly AI queries, equal to 40.0% of its Google search estimate. “Alani Nu energy drink” had 159 AI queries, or 0.2% of its Google estimate.
| Query | Query type | Google searches / month | AI queries / month | AI-to-Google ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| healthiest energy drink | Use case | 14,800 | 5,925 | 40.0% |
| best energy drink for running | Use case | 90 | 20 | 22.2% |
| energy drink for weight loss | Use case | 480 | 76 | 15.8% |
| best sugar free energy drink | Use case | 590 | 70 | 11.9% |
| best energy drink | Use case | 18,100 | 2,112 | 11.7% |
| red bull | Brand | 368,000 | 60,929 | 16.6% |
| monster energy | Brand | 135,000 | 10,809 | 8.0% |
| celsius energy drink | Brand | 74,000 | 1,418 | 1.9% |
| ghost energy drink | Brand | 135,000 | 2,042 | 1.5% |
| alani nu energy drink | Brand | 74,000 | 159 | 0.2% |
The ratios compare estimates from two different search channels. They don't measure the percentage of Google consumers who use AI. Exact phrases can overlook longer, conversational prompts. For example, an estimated 11 monthly AI queries for “best energy drink for studying.” The nootropics and cognitive AI visibility index offers a separate view of brands mentioned in AI answers for focus-related products.
How did ChatGPT rank energy drinks for studying and the gym?
ChatGPT changed its product order between the study and pre-workout questions. The two prompts were “what is the best energy drink for studying” and “what is the best energy drink to have before the gym.”
| Product | Studying rank | Gym rank | How ChatGPT described the product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid Death Sparkling Energy (100 mg caffeine, 0 g sugar) | 1 | Not listed | First choice for studying |
| Red Bull Sugarfree (80 mg per 8.4 oz) | 2 | 4 | Lower-caffeine choice for studying or for consumers sensitive to caffeine |
| Celsius (200 mg caffeine, 0 g sugar) | 3 | 1 | Higher-caffeine study option and first pre-workout choice |
| Monster Ultra Zero (150–160 mg caffeine) | 4 | 2 | Larger drink for studying; higher-caffeine gym option |
| Alani Nu (200 mg caffeine, 0 g sugar) | Not listed | 3 | Higher-caffeine gym option |
Red Bull had the highest Google search estimate among the listed brands, but ChatGPT placed Red Bull Sugarfree second for studying and fourth for the gym. Celsius moved from third for studying to first for the gym.
Notably, ChatGPT responded to queries with follow-up questions. For studying, it asked about session length and caffeine tolerance. For the gym, it asked about the workout and suggested caffeine ranges of 80–100 mg, 150–200 mg, and more than 200 mg. Those follow-ups show which consumer details ChatGPT requested before narrowing a recommendation. Price may affect other product comparisons; a separate 5WPR study examined Black Friday discounts and AI recommendations.
Which product details appeared in the AI recommendations?
Caffeine content, sugar, and serving size helped distinguish the products in the captured answers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports 41–246 mg of caffeine per 12 fluid ounces of energy drink. The FDA cites 400 mg per day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most adults, while noting that sensitivity varies.
Seven of the eight product entries in the responses included a caffeine figure. Every listed drink was a zero-sugar version. Google's AI Overview for “best energy drink for studying” mentioned Lucky Energy at approximately 200 mg of caffeine and Proper Wild at approximately 100 mg of green tea caffeine and 120 mg of L-theanine, based on the captured answer.
| Product detail | How the captured answer used it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per can | Distinguished lower- and higher-caffeine options | Red Bull Sugarfree appeared as an 80 mg option |
| Sugar per can | Described the selected zero-sugar products | All eight ChatGPT list entries named zero-sugar versions |
| Serving size | Added context about drink size | ChatGPT described Monster Ultra Zero as a larger, 16 oz can |
| Other ingredients | Supported a focus-related description | Google's AI Overview mentioned Proper Wild's L-theanine |
| Timing | Provided use guidance | ChatGPT suggested 30–60 minutes before a workout |
| Safety limits | Added cautions | ChatGPT advised against energy drinks for people under 18 |
Each of the three analyzed AI outputs—the two ChatGPT responses and the Google AI Overview—incorporated safety information. The ChatGPT responses cited the FDA's caffeine guidance, and the gym response referred to the International Society of Sports Nutrition's position stand. Brands can make their product information easier to evaluate by publishing accurate serving sizes, ingredient amounts, and warnings.
Which sources did ChatGPT and Google cite?
The three responses cited student publications, product reviews, health resources, and two brand articles. None cited a brand or manufacturer's homepage or product page.
| Captured AI answer | Sources cited |
|---|---|
| Google AI Overview: “best energy drink for studying” | The University Daily Kansan; The Daily Collegian; WIRED; Proper Wild's studying article; a TikTok video |
| ChatGPT: studying | Roon's energy drink ranking; UC Davis Nutrition Department; Good Housekeeping; Healthline |
| ChatGPT: gym | NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand |
Proper Wild's studying article and Roon's energy drink ranking were the two brand-published sources. Other cited material included university publications, independent product coverage, and health references. The 5WPR Web Sources Index examines citation patterns across a broader set of AI answers.
How did Proper Wild appear in Google's studying answer?
Google's November 12 AI Overview cited Proper Wild's article, “Best Energy Drink for Studying and Long Study Sessions”. The answer mentioned approximately 100 mg of green tea caffeine and 120 mg of L-theanine for Proper Wild.
An estimated 2,400 monthly U.S. Google searches for Proper Wild and 135,000 for Monster Energy, a difference of roughly 56 to 1. Monster didn't appear in the captured AI Overview. Google led its results with Celsius and linked its recommendation to exam preparation.
Proper Wild's article title matches a studying question, and the excerpt in Google's result addresses adult learners and working professionals. Those details connect the product to a defined audience and use.
Liquid Death Energy ranked first despite having an estimated 2,900 monthly brand searches, compared with Red Bull's 368,000. ChatGPT described Liquid Death's 100 mg, zero-sugar drink as an option for a two- to three-hour study session.
What should energy drink brands publish for use-case questions?
Here are some ways for brands to provide consumers and AI models additional relevant, use-drive information by pairing product specifications with specific use cases.
| Action | What the brand can do | What the team can measure |
|---|---|---|
| Identify use cases | Review AI query estimates for studying, workouts, sugar-free options, and other needs | Queries where the brand appears, and how often |
| Publish use-case pages | Explain product fit with caffeine in mg, sugar in g, and serving size in oz | Whether relevant pages receive citations |
| State product limits | Include age guidance, caffeine cautions, and appropriate health references | Whether AI answers represent warnings accurately |
| Support independent reviews | Offer verified product specifications and samples to relevant editorial reviewers | Mentions and citations in independent coverage |
| Repeat the tests | Run an identical prompt set in ChatGPT and Google on a set schedule | Changes in product inclusion, order, citations, and descriptions |
The answers in our analysis drew their sources from reviews and trusted health resources; none cited a press release. Brands preparing a launch can provide reviewers with a product specification sheet and use the food and beverage PR practices outlined by 5WPR. A food and beverage PR program can coordinate outreach, while independent outlets decide what to publish.
Overall, Liquid Death led for studying and Celsius led for the gym. The responses linked product choices to caffeine, sugar, serving size, and intended use. Brands can test and monitor similar prompts, improve product information, and track citations through 5WPR's AI search and GEO services.
5W is The Communications Firm Built for the AI Era, building brand authority across the platforms where decisions now happen, ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews, alongside earned media, digital, and influencer channels. 5W combines public relations, digital marketing, and proprietary AI visibility research to help clients measure and grow their presence in AI-driven discovery.
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