Majors

Which Brands Generated the Most Buzz in 2017?

MajorsJan 29, 2018

Which Brands Generated the Most Buzz in 2017?

We’ll bet you can guess the e-commerce giant that came in first.

2016_Amazon-logo.jpg
Amazon is ranked No. 1 in positive buzz among consumers last year, according to YouGov’s 2017 Buzz Rankings.

New York--YouGov has released its list of brands that generated the most positive buzz among consumers last year in the United States.  

The company’s 2017 Buzz Rankings position 1,600 brands according to “buzz score,” which is determined by asking consumers if they’ve heard anything about a specific brand in the last two weeks through advertising, news or word of mouth, and, if so, was it positive or negative?  

Scores are calculated by subtracting the percentage of negative responses from the percentage of positive responses for each brand.

Generating the most positive buzz among Americans and earning the top spot for the fifth consecutive year is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Amazon.

Last year was a big one for the e-commerce giant. In June, it acquired high-end grocer Whole Foods for $13.7 billion, giving it a physical presence in many markets.

A few months after that, Amazon announced plans to open a second headquarters, inviting cities and regions to place bids to be the host of the $5 billion investment. They have now narrowed the list down to 20 possibilities.

And on top of everything else, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos also became the richest person in the world in 2017, ending the year with a total worth of about $100 billion.

CNBC reported last spring that some analysts believe the company could account for half of all e-commerce sales by 2021.

Following Amazon at No. 2 on YouGov’s Buzz Rankings is Netflix, which continues to pick up buzz as it generates more of its own content. In fact, Netflix earned a total of 91 Emmy nominations in 2017.

Amazon continued its dominance by also earning the No. 3 spot with Amazon Prime, its paid subscription service that gives users access to free two-day delivery, streaming video/music and other benefits.

It’s estimated that half of all households now have a subscription to Prime, not to mention that Amazon said its 2017 Prime Day, a one-day only sales event just for subscribers, was its biggest sales day yet and pulled in more new members than ever before.

At No. 4 is YouTube, which claims through its own statistics that nearly one-third of all people on the internet use the video sharing site to watch a billion hours of video every day.

At No. 5 is Google, followed by Nike at No. 6, dish soap Dawn at No. 7--boosted

perhaps by its association with rescuing and restoring wildlife affected by oil pollution, YouGov said--and M&Ms.

The top 10 list is rounded out by Apple’s iPhone at No. 9, which rejoined after a year off due in part to the release of the iPhone X.

Fittingly then, No. 10 on the list is Apple, which celebrated not only the release of the aforementioned phone but also the launch of its Siri-powered HomePod to rival Amazon’s Alexa-powered Echo and the acquisition of sound-identifying app Shazam in 2017.

YouGov also ranked the best Buzz Improvers--brands with the highest increase in Buzz scores between 2016 and 2017.

It included brands such as Chipotle, which had to deal with multiple E.coli and norovirus outbreaks in 2016; cable channel HLN, which benefited from a revamp last year; and Volkswagen, which had been suffering from negative perception in the last few years after it got caught cheating on diesel-emissions tests.

Also on the list are telecommunications company Spectrum (previously Time Warner Cable), Walmart, Hulu and ride sharing app Lyft.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Wrapped holiday present boxes
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard Say

The credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.

Christie’s Kimberly Miller
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for Luxury

Kimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.

Lionheart Serenity Opal Amulet Charm
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal Charm

The “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.

Recipients Collage 2025 - NJ (1872 x 1050 px) (1872 x 1052 px).png
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow Today

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie in Pandora Bridgerton campaign
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms

“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.

Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Ana Khouri logo
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry Excellence

Founded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”

Stuller’s Color of the Year for 2026, “Signature Red”
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s White

The jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

Gracie Abrams Chanel Coco Crush
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry Campaign

The singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.

Headshot of National Jewler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?

As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.

Pinar Hakim Rainbow Seahorse Pendant, Nue Fine Jewelry Irene Charm, Susannah King Venus Ring
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC Show

The trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.

Akiva Gil garnet ring
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for Garnet

January’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.

Diamonds Do Good 2025 Impact Report
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact Report

The annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.

Police cars with lights on
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District Brawl

Footage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.

Rio Grande xTool F2 Ultra Portable Laser Engraver Bundle
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026

The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.

Zales storefront
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New Look

The Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”

Linda Coutu
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of Sales

Linda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.

AGA board 2026-2029
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Board

The governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.

Jenna Blake diamond Fan earrings
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s Edition

Sparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.

Ben Nighthorse Campbell
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92

The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.

Jacquie Aiche Alien Heart Eye Inlay Necklace, Cicada Dragonfly Brooch, Harkness After the Rain Earrings
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool Blue

In its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.

Saks Fifth Avenue flagship window installation
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global

Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.

Couture Retailer Liaison Jan Mohr
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71

Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.

Shekhar Shah Real Gems
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of Directors

Shekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.

Lalaounis good luck charm 2026
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to Resilience

This year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.

Collage of NationalJeweler.com’s most-read stories of 2025
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025

Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.

Becka Johnson Kibby
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail Academy

As part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy