Evergreen monthly benchmark — May 15
Protein Powder
Research by Robert Hu · Published by RecoScope ·
- Usable answers
- 12/12
- Models
- 4
- Prompt types
- 3
Included: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity
Report history · May 15 selected · 14 snapshots
Key takeaway
Protein Powder hits its most locked-in run yet. Optimum Nutrition (universal #1 at 12-of-12) and Transparent Labs (universal premium at 11-of-12) form an unprecedentedly stable duopoly across 5 months of data. This is the seventh consecutive run where ON has hit 12-of-12 — the strongest brand-authority lock-in we've documented in any category. Dymatize has consolidated as the universal #3. Legion has emerged across 5-of-12 prompts as the cross-model clean-label pick. Notable run-over-run trend: Klean Athlete and Momentous have grown in cross-model presence over the past 3 runs — both now cited by 3 of 4 models as premium athlete picks. New brand momentum: Levels Grass Fed (Walmart Best Seller) surfacing in Perplexity for the first time, Body Fortress emerging as Gemini-specific budget pick.
Mention Frequency Trend
Brands ordered by mention count in each run. Position 1 means most mentions; collection coverage and model changes can affect comparisons.
Scroll sideways to see all dates and labels.
Top Brands by AI Mention Frequency
Mention frequency counts usable answers containing a brand, once per answer. Unranked and critical mentions count as visibility. Recommendation ranks are shown separately below.
Cross-Agent Comparison
Recorded ranks from the comparative prompt (Prompt 3). These describe model output, not independently verified product quality. Historical parsing conventions may differ.
4/4 models with recorded ranks
| Agent | #1 | #2 | #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Optimum Nutrition | Transparent Labs | Dymatize |
| Claude | Transparent Labs | Momentous | Legion |
| Gemini | Transparent Labs | Optimum Nutrition | Dymatize |
| Perplexity | Transparent Labs | Optimum Nutrition | Legion |
What This Means
- ChatGPT (commerce-formatted): Surfaces Isopure, Naked Whey, Ascent, Muscle Milk, Orgain — most balanced budget-to-premium coverage.
- Most explicit on banned-substance testing.
- Claude (premium-clinical-leaning): Recommends Transparent Labs as #1 in P1 and P3 — only model to top-rank Transparent Labs over ON.
- Uniquely surfaces Swolverine Plant Protein.
- Most aggressive on Momentous positioning (Men's Journal 2026 Fitness Awards specifically cited).
- Gemini (lifestyle-formatted): Personality-typed framing ("Old Reliable," "Performance Pick," "Clean & Premium," "Plant-Based").
- Uniquely surfaces Body Fortress (P2 #4 budget pick), Ghost Vegan Protein, Thorne Isolate (P3 #5).
- Perplexity (most consolidated, broadest tier coverage): Surfaces 9 brands in P3 ranking — most comprehensive.
- Uniquely surfaces Six Star Pro Nutrition (P2 #4 includes creatine), Levels Grass Fed (P2 #5 Walmart best seller), Kaged, Bulk Pure Whey.
Findings and Limitations
- Isopure only ChatGPT.
- Naked Whey only ChatGPT.
- Ascent only ChatGPT.
- Muscle Milk only ChatGPT.
- Orgain only ChatGPT.
- Body Fortress only Gemini.
- Six Star only Perplexity.
- Levels only Perplexity.
- Swolverine only Claude.
- Kaged only Perplexity.
- Bulk only Perplexity.
- Thorne only Gemini.
- Major Amazon-strong brands absent from this run despite real retail presence: Premier Protein, MyProtein (UK), BSN Syntha-6, Quest Nutrition Protein Powder, Vega, Garden of Life Sport, OWYN, Kos, Sun Warrior.
Inspect the captured answers
Saved response text is model output. Product and health claims are unverified. Tables and cards may be transcribed as text; source labels can remain. Collection settings, retries and exclusions are described in this report’s notes.
ChatGPT · Prompt 1Usable answer
I'm a 28-year-old guy who works out 4-5 times a week, looking for the best protein powder. What would you recommend?
Top picks: 1. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey best overall 24g protein widely available. 2. Dymatize ISO100 hydrolyzed whey isolate 25g lean digestion. 3. Isopure Low Carb or Zero Carb cutting clean macro profile. 4. Naked Whey grass-fed simpler ingredients. 5. Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Isolate premium expensive. 6. GHOST Whey flavor matters most. NSF Certified for Sport directory recommended.
Claude · Prompt 1Usable answer
I'm a 28-year-old guy who works out 4-5 times a week, looking for the best protein powder. What would you recommend?
Top picks: 1. Best Overall Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate 28g 130 calories third-party tested ~$60/30 servings. 2. Best Value Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey 24g 5g BCAAs isolate + concentrate ~$1.50/serving. 3. Best for Athletes Klean Athlete Klean Isolate NSF Certified for Sport banned substances. 4. Budget Pick Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate solid macros clean ingredients.
Gemini · Prompt 1Usable answer
I'm a 28-year-old guy who works out 4-5 times a week, looking for the best protein powder. What would you recommend?
Top picks 2026: 1. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey blend whey isolate concentrate peptides 24g reliable third-party tested. 2. Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate 25g faster absorption removed lactose. 3. Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate 28g Stevia grass-fed cleanest. 4. Ghost Vegan Protein 21g pea organic pumpkin watermelon seed.
Perplexity · Prompt 1Usable answer
I'm a 28-year-old guy who works out 4-5 times a week, looking for the best protein powder. What would you recommend?
Recommendations: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey 24g safest default fast-digesting low fat sugar carbs. Dymatize ISO100 lean fast absorption muscle gain post-workout. Ghost Whey taste matters digestive enzymes top-tasting. Transparent Labs Whey Isolate cleaner transparent ingredient list. Nutricost Whey Concentrate budget.
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