Some of the most popular citrus sodas at the time included:
* Sprite: Introduced in 1961, Sprite was a lemon-lime soda that became a major competitor to 7-Up.
* 7-Up: This lemon-lime soda was introduced in 1929 and had a long history of popularity before Mello Yello came along.
* Mountain Dew: While technically a citrus-flavored soda, it was more closely associated with a "citrus punch" flavor than a pure lemon-lime. Mountain Dew was introduced in 1940 and had established itself as a popular choice in the decades leading up to Mello Yello.
* Other regional brands: Many smaller regional brands existed, offering a variety of citrus flavors and blends.
Mello Yello was marketed as a more "intense" and "citrusy" alternative to existing lemon-lime sodas, aiming to capture a niche market for those who wanted a bolder citrus flavor. It was successful in its initial marketing campaign, carving out a space for itself within the crowded soda landscape.