Evergreen monthly benchmark — May 26
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 26 selected · 14 snapshots
Key takeaway
For a lean-muscle-focused lifter, AI routes to a stable Optimum Nutrition, Transparent Labs, and Dymatize core, but the aggregate #1 split three ways this run (Transparent Labs for ChatGPT, Momentous for Claude, Optimum Nutrition for Gemini and Perplexity) rather than consolidating on one brand. A brand outside that core plus Momentous and Nutricost is effectively invisible at purchase intent unless the buyer names it.
Mention Frequency Trend
Brands ordered by mention count in each run. Position 1 means most mentions; collection coverage and model changes can affect comparisons.
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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 | Transparent Labs | Dymatize | Optimum Nutrition |
| Claude | Momentous | Transparent Labs | Optimum Nutrition |
| Gemini | Transparent Labs | Dymatize | Optimum Nutrition |
| Perplexity | Optimum Nutrition | Momentous | Dymatize |
What This Means
- All four models keep Optimum Nutrition, Transparent Labs, and Dymatize as the core, but the aggregate top pick splits: ChatGPT leads Transparent Labs (top-ranked in P1 and P3, the commerce-formatted model surfacing the widest budget-to-premium set including Isopure, MuscleTech, Levels), Claude leads Momentous (top-ranked P1 and P3, premium-clinical-leaning, Huberman/NSF framing, uniquely surfacing Swolverine plant protein), Gemini leads Optimum Nutrition (personality-typed framing, uniquely surfacing Vega, Muscle Milk, NOW Sports), and Perplexity leads Optimum Nutrition (most consolidated and broadest P3 ranking of ten brands, uniquely surfacing Kaged, Promix, Premier Protein, Myprotein, NutraBio, Body Fortress).
- The whey-isolate-vs-concentrate and premium-vs-value forks drive the divergence.
Findings and Limitations
- The challenger tier is highly fragmented: MuscleTech and Levels appear only in ChatGPT, Vega/Muscle Milk/NOW Sports only in Gemini, Kaged/Promix/Premier Protein/Myprotein/NutraBio/Body Fortress only in Perplexity, Swolverine only in Claude.
- Major brands with retail presence are absent: Premier Protein (Costco/Walmart bestseller) surfaces only once despite marketplace dominance, and Quest, BSN Syntha-6, Garden of Life Sport, Vega (mostly), Kos, and OWYN do not register cross-model.
- The plant-based tier is thin and inconsistent.
- No single budget brand below Nutricost has cross-model agreement.
Recurring themes in the answers
- The brands AI favors share whey isolate positioning (the universal best-for-lean-muscle pick over concentrate), third-party testing (NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport) as the universal quality gate, 24-28g protein per serving as the cited floor, and transparent or clean-label formulation.
- Optimum Nutrition owns the value/everyday slot, Transparent Labs the clean-label premium slot, Dymatize the fast-digestion slot, and Momentous the certified-athlete slot.
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
Best protein powder for 28yo, works out 4-5x/week, lean muscle and recovery
ChatGPT P1: 1 Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate (best overall, clean, 28g, third-party tested, pricier). 2 Dymatize ISO100 (best fast digestion/flavors, 25g hydrolyzed, sucralose). 3 Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey (best budget all-rounder, 24g, widely available).
Claude · Prompt 1Usable answer
Best protein powder for 28yo, works out 4-5x/week, lean muscle and recovery
Claude P1: Momentous Essential Whey (best overall, NSF Certified for Sport whey isolate, pro athletes, premium). Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Isolate (best clean-label, 28g grass-fed, stevia, published COAs). Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (best value, 24g blend, industry standard). Nutricost Whey Concentrate (best budget, ~$25-35/5lb).
Gemini · Prompt 1Usable answer
Best protein powder for 28yo, works out 4-5x/week, lean muscle and recovery
Gemini P1: Whey isolate picks Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (24g, taste, availability) and Dymatize ISO100 (25g hydrolyzed, fast absorption). Clean/transparent Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Isolate (28g, no artificial sweeteners, published COAs). Plant-based Ghost Vegan Protein and Vega Sport Premium. Look for 20-25g, minimal sugar, third-party testing.
Perplexity · Prompt 1Usable answer
Best protein powder for 28yo, works out 4-5x/week, lean muscle and recovery
Perplexity P1: Best overall Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (safest default, 24g, easy mix). Cleaner/lower-carb Kaged Whey Isolate or Promix Whey Isolate. Plant-based Optimum Nutrition 100% Plant Gold Standard (24g pea/rice/fava). Whey isolate best for muscle gain and recovery; choose 20-30g, low sugar, short ingredient list.
ChatGPT · Prompt 2Usable answer
Protein powder under $50 everyday use, same profile
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