US Retail Books and Music - PPC Market Share Analysis September 2026

Leveraging Adthena’s Whole Market View, this analysis explores recent trends in Google Ads for the US Books and Music category from the last month. Our Data Analyst, Ask Arlo provides commentary on key findings.

Books and Music – US

Google AI Overview visibility for Retail Books and Music US

See how often AIOs appear and how search intent is distributed across buying signals.

AIO Frequency

How often a Google AI overview appears on search terms relevant to this category.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 64.1022003031
35.8977996969
64%

Complex Query Frequency

A complex query is a longer, more detailed search that often contains multiple keywords, specific conditions, or multi-part questions.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 13
87
13%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 4%
Transactional 9%
Navigational 41%
Seasonal 3%
Local 0%
Problem Solving 2%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 US Retail Books and Music brands

Here are the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Clicks for the last month.

Share of Clicks - Last month
Share of Clicks - Last month
Domain Share of clicks
guitarcenter.com 31.97
amazon.com 15.44
calendars.com 11.9
thriftbooks.com 4.1
sweetwater.com 3.24
christianbook.com 2.69
rakuten.com 2.39
target.com 2.32
etsy.com 1.77
abebooks.com 1.5
others 22.68
  • guitarcenter.com - 31.97%
  • amazon.com - 15.44%
  • calendars.com - 11.9%
  • thriftbooks.com - 4.1%
  • sweetwater.com - 3.24%
  • christianbook.com - 2.69%
  • rakuten.com - 2.39%
  • target.com - 2.32%
  • etsy.com - 1.77%
  • abebooks.com - 1.5%
  • others - 22.68%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Guitarcenter.com leads with 31.97% click share, followed by Amazon at 15.44%. Others collectively hold 22.68%, showcasing diverse competition.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 US Retail Books and Music brands

Curious about your market position? Here you can see the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Spend for the last month. 

Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date guitarcenter.com amazon.com sweetwater.com zazzle.com thriftbooks.com target.com etsy.com calendars.com vistaprint.com papier.com
2026/09/01 10.28% 14.08% 3.13% 4.79% 4.66% 4.05% 3.44% 3.81% 3.56% 2.46%
2026/09/02 12.54% 8.96% 3.61% 7.03% 5.35% 3.85% 5.44% 4.5% 3.76% 4.05%
2026/09/03 8.74% 9.17% 3.96% 6.69% 3.82% 2.78% 6.38% 5.15% 3.01% 3.84%
2026/09/04 9.49% 9.2% 3.59% 4.8% 3.85% 3.38% 4.63% 3.64% 3.21% 3.52%
2026/09/05 6.6% 10.45% 3.36% 5.12% 4.23% 2.76% 5.67% 9.3% 3.14% 2.38%
2026/09/06 6.31% 10.69% 2.61% 5.85% 4.9% 1.71% 5.66% 8.29% 2.64% 3.55%
2026/09/07 6.84% 12% 2.64% 4.97% 4.23% 1.88% 5.72% 6% 2.71% 3.18%
2026/09/08 7.16% 11.69% 2.33% 5.64% 6.01% 1.95% 4.26% 5.45% 3.16% 4%
2026/09/09 10.94% 11.76% 3.4% 2.87% 5.5% 2.53% 3.8% 3.31% 3.48% 2.97%
2026/09/10 11.51% 10.16% 3.93% 4.58% 5.21% 2.45% 4.71% 4.18% 2.85% 3.86%
2026/09/11 11.1% 8.44% 3.2% 6.1% 4.23% 3.61% 5.03% 3.44% 3.26% 5.08%
2026/09/12 12.07% 8.24% 4.13% 7.29% 4.26% 3.76% 4.01% 4.72% 5.11% 5.13%
2026/09/13 11.61% 7.72% 4.31% 8.49% 5.25% 4.66% 3.94% 3.16% 4.45% 5.48%
2026/09/14 10.11% 7.78% 4.05% 6.8% 4.54% 4.56% 3.31% 4.36% 4.95% 5.7%
2026/09/15 12.51% 9.02% 5.03% 5.89% 6.05% 4.31% 4.42% 2.54% 3.5% 4.85%
2026/09/16 10.93% 7.67% 5.34% 5.93% 4.33% 4.28% 4.39% 2.28% 3.56% 5.47%
2026/09/17 11.22% 6.72% 5.06% 7.73% 4.2% 4.37% 3.59% 4.06% 3.84% 6.15%
2026/09/18 9.39% 6.87% 4.37% 6.31% 4.37% 4.4% 3.98% 4.11% 3.77% 5.12%
2026/09/19 10.57% 8.84% 4.97% 4.87% 4.44% 4.03% 3.29% 4.5% 3.75% 3.24%
2026/09/20 12.16% 8.9% 4.99% 5.74% 4.86% 4.24% 4.49% 6.48% 2.68% 2.96%
2026/09/21 10.55% 9.65% 4.49% 4.59% 4.23% 3.3% 5.01% 7.59% 3.27% 2.14%
2026/09/22 12.82% 10.05% 2.75% 2.66% 4.63% 3.14% 5.01% 5% 2.11% 2.06%
2026/09/23 15.38% 10.98% 4.34% 2.72% 4.48% 2.76% 3.18% 5.23% 3.04% 2.2%
2026/09/24 16.41% 8.95% 4.81% 3.3% 3.7% 2.85% 3.83% 7.05% 3.92% 2.2%
2026/09/25 15.75% 9.74% 4.88% 2.66% 5% 3.08% 3.33% 4.51% 2.48% 1.94%
2026/09/26 12.41% 7.58% 4.99% 3.71% 3.89% 2.69% 5.88% 4.53% 2.48% 1.4%
2026/09/27 13.18% 10.44% 4.64% 4.71% 4.84% 3.76% 4.5% 5.25% 1.8% 1.09%
2026/09/28 12.65% 9.36% 5.16% 3.71% 4.29% 3.88% 4.91% 3.29% 3.89% 2.55%
2026/09/29 14.09% 9.75% 6.56% 3.9% 4.21% 3.44% 3.78% 3.36% 3.7% 3.14%
2026/09/30 13.57% 9.01% 6.53% 4.89% 4% 3.41% 3.3% 2.86% 2.84% 2.56%
  • guitarcenter.com
  • amazon.com
  • sweetwater.com
  • zazzle.com
  • thriftbooks.com
  • target.com
  • etsy.com
  • calendars.com
  • vistaprint.com
  • papier.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, Guitar Center’s PPC spend share surged, peaking at 16.41% on the 24th. Amazon’s share fluctuated, ending at 9.01%. Sweetwater and Zazzle showed steady growth, while Thriftbooks and Target remained stable. Vistaprint and Papier experienced minor declines.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for US Retail Books and Music

Ever wondered how many competitors you’re up against in your industry? Well look no further, here we can see the number of advertisers bidding over the last month. 

Competitor Count - Last month
Competitor Count - Last month
Date Competitor Count
2026/09/01 552
2026/09/02 676
2026/09/03 644
2026/09/04 648
2026/09/05 617
2026/09/06 638
2026/09/07 636
2026/09/08 594
2026/09/09 623
2026/09/10 639
2026/09/11 680
2026/09/12 674
2026/09/13 681
2026/09/14 660
2026/09/15 656
2026/09/16 706
2026/09/17 731
2026/09/18 695
2026/09/19 675
2026/09/20 611
2026/09/21 588
2026/09/22 590
2026/09/23 544
2026/09/24 569
2026/09/25 563
2026/09/26 529
2026/09/27 523
2026/09/28 518
2026/09/29 562
2026/09/30 577

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

September began with 552 advertisers, peaking at 731 mid-month. A decline followed, ending with 577. The month showcased dynamic shifts, reflecting competitive fluctuations.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for US Retail Books and Music

Here we’re looking at the Top 10 biggest industry movers by market share gains and losses for the last 30 days.

Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Name Market Trend
guitarcenter.com 4.63%
sweetwater.com 1%
rakuten.com 0.37%
bradfordexchange.com 0.31%
christianbook.com 0.22%
bookoutlet.com -0.39%
grainger.com -0.49%
thriftbooks.com -1.03%
calendars.com -1.27%
amazon.com -2.42%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Guitarcenter.com soared with a 4.63% click share increase, while amazon.com dropped by 2.42%. Sweetwater.com also rose by 1.0%, contrasting with thriftbooks.com’s 1.03% decline.

Campaign Efficiency

US Retail Books and Music Share of Impressions

Take a look at the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Impressions over the last month.

Date guitarcenter.com sweetwater.com amazon.com target.com thriftbooks.com etsy.com walmart.com calendars.com christianbook.com zazzle.com
2026/09/01 14.07% 6.33% 12.42% 5.68% 6.17% 3.22% 1.31% 4.74% 2.44% 1.22%
2026/09/02 17.98% 7.29% 9.14% 5.96% 7.3% 5.37% 1.35% 5.51% 1.3% 1.85%
2026/09/03 12.93% 7.65% 9.51% 4.77% 5.82% 7.07% 1.03% 6.95% 1.28% 1.82%
2026/09/04 15.48% 7.03% 9.91% 5.18% 5.56% 4.51% 1.12% 5.01% 1.76% 1.38%
2026/09/05 11.08% 7.25% 11.55% 4.68% 5.73% 5.89% 1.26% 10.35% 1.49% 1.57%
2026/09/06 9.72% 5.73% 11.87% 3.33% 6.99% 6.09% 0.97% 9.57% 1.99% 1.76%
2026/09/07 10.67% 5.27% 12.3% 3.34% 6.18% 6.36% 1.06% 6.84% 2.81% 1.35%
2026/09/08 10.95% 4.49% 12.76% 3.37% 9.47% 4.61% 1.58% 6.99% 1.72% 1.48%
2026/09/09 13.84% 7.26% 11.1% 4.01% 7.55% 4.54% 1.69% 3.82% 5.68% 0.98%
2026/09/10 15.2% 8.36% 9.2% 3.9% 7.43% 5.3% 3.08% 5.18% 4.1% 1.4%
2026/09/11 15.46% 6.94% 8.4% 5.23% 6.17% 5.96% 2.75% 4.31% 3.94% 1.83%
2026/09/12 16.32% 9.6% 7.99% 5.8% 5.65% 4.19% 2.33% 5.96% 1.18% 2.17%
2026/09/13 15.76% 10.15% 8.29% 7.22% 7.01% 4.29% 3.62% 3.83% 0.97% 2.59%
2026/09/14 14.84% 9.33% 7.77% 7.31% 6.37% 3.46% 2.61% 5.33% 2.33% 2.25%
2026/09/15 16.32% 10.24% 8.94% 6.84% 8.39% 4.66% 2.5% 3.1% 1.3% 1.77%
2026/09/16 15.09% 11.94% 6.59% 6.5% 6.48% 4.14% 2.56% 3.25% 1.87% 1.73%
2026/09/17 15.42% 12.09% 6.22% 6.65% 5.92% 3.08% 2.5% 4.52% 0.94% 2.26%
2026/09/18 12.57% 10% 6.51% 6.92% 5.97% 4.36% 2.64% 4.9% 2.81% 1.96%
2026/09/19 13.83% 11.26% 8.13% 6.46% 5.48% 3.07% 2.3% 5.4% 2.24% 1.54%
2026/09/20 14.68% 10.66% 7.75% 6.87% 5.97% 4.18% 2.63% 6.9% 2.28% 1.71%
2026/09/21 13.59% 9.69% 9.58% 5.94% 4.71% 4.79% 1.87% 8.74% 2.62% 1.44%
2026/09/22 16.92% 7.85% 9.09% 5.69% 5.45% 5.16% 1.68% 5.83% 4.91% 1%
2026/09/23 20.39% 9.94% 8.66% 4.36% 5.42% 2.63% 1.6% 6.18% 2.09% 0.96%
2026/09/24 21.22% 10.05% 8.69% 4.67% 4.09% 3.73% 1.53% 6.87% 1.92% 1.06%
2026/09/25 19.7% 11.36% 8.54% 5.08% 5.34% 3.13% 1.66% 4.41% 1.6% 0.94%
2026/09/26 16.29% 10.32% 7.28% 4.36% 4.3% 6.45% 1.92% 4.82% 4.9% 1.18%
2026/09/27 15.86% 10.09% 9.18% 5.63% 4.84% 4.74% 2.82% 5.71% 2.95% 1.27%
2026/09/28 15.72% 10.74% 8.12% 5.78% 4.05% 5.46% 3.49% 4.29% 2.27% 1.12%
2026/09/29 17.22% 12.42% 7.26% 5.41% 4.08% 3.98% 1.87% 4.08% 1.73% 1.18%
2026/09/30 17.35% 12.11% 6.09% 5.03% 4.09% 3.47% 3.41% 3.18% 1.72% 1.47%
  • guitarcenter.com
  • sweetwater.com
  • amazon.com
  • target.com
  • thriftbooks.com
  • etsy.com
  • walmart.com
  • calendars.com
  • christianbook.com
  • zazzle.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, Guitar Center’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 21.22% on the 24th. Sweetwater saw a steady rise, ending at 12.11%. Amazon’s share declined, finishing at 6.09%. Overall, Guitar Center led the month.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Retail Books and Music

Ever wondered how your rivals’ ads are doing? Here we can see the top-performing ads in the industry over the last month.

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Retail Books and Music - Last month
  1. 1
    Amazon.com® Official Site https://www.amazon.com › shop › amazon+usa

    Shop on Amazon — The best shopping & entertainment with Prime. Free, easy returns on millions of items. Free, easy returns on millions of items.

  2. 2
    Secondhand Books - 90% Off - Used Books, Free Shipping https://www.betterworldbooks.com

    Used Books. Shop Over 8 Million New And Used Books At Bargain Prices.

  3. 3
    Guitar Center® Official Site https://www.guitarcenter.com

    Shop Guitar Center® Deals — From beginners to pros, Guitar Center® has the perfect gear for every musician. Guitar Center®. Your one-stop shop for all things music-related.

  4. 4
    Sweetwater Music & Pro Audio - In Stock & Ready to Ship https://www.sweetwater.com

    Check Out Sweetwater's Extensive Selection of Pro Audio Gear From the Top Brands! Browse...

  5. 5
    New & Used Books | Buy Cheap Books Online at ThriftBooks https://www.thriftbooks.com

    Over 13 million titles available from the largest seller of used books. Cheap prices on high quality gently used books. Free shipping over $20.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the realm of Google PPC, Amazon.com leads with its promise of seamless shopping and entertainment through Prime. Better World Books and ThriftBooks captivate book lovers with massive discounts and free shipping. Guitar Center and Sweetwater cater to musicians, offering a vast array of gear and pro audio equipment.

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