US Automotive Online Car Retailers - PPC Market Share Analysis February 2026

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

Online Car Retailers – US

Google AI Overview visibility for Automotive Online Car Retailers 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 21.2404394816
78.7595605184
21%

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 68
32
68%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 31%
Transactional 27%
Navigational 6%
Seasonal 0%
Local 2%
Problem Solving 13%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 US Automotive Online Car Retailers 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
carvana.com 30.5
kbb.com 21.51
cargurus.com 7.19
carmax.com 5.1
cars.com 4.96
autotrader.com 4.06
edmunds.com 3.6
enterprise.com 3.56
carfax.com 2.93
truecar.com 1.48
others 15.11
  • carvana.com - 30.5%
  • kbb.com - 21.51%
  • cargurus.com - 7.19%
  • carmax.com - 5.1%
  • cars.com - 4.96%
  • autotrader.com - 4.06%
  • edmunds.com - 3.6%
  • enterprise.com - 3.56%
  • carfax.com - 2.93%
  • truecar.com - 1.48%
  • others - 15.11%

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Carvana leads with 30.5% click share, followed by KBB at 21.51%. Others collectively hold 15.11%, highlighting diverse competition.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 US Automotive Online Car Retailers 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 carvana.com cargurus.com carmax.com kbb.com cars.com enterprise.com autotrader.com autonation.com carfax.com edmunds.com
2026/02/01 22.97% 11.4% 10.29% 7.74% 3.75% 4.83% 3.13% 2.84% 3.5% 3.7%
2026/02/02 18.28% 11.28% 8.17% 5.95% 3.21% 5.03% 3.01% 1.19% 2.41% 2.93%
2026/02/03 26.69% 10.06% 9.3% 6.84% 3.85% 4.99% 2.95% 2.91% 3.59% 2.71%
2026/02/04 27.34% 10.54% 8.91% 4.69% 3.31% 3.83% 3.3% 2.38% 4% 2.34%
2026/02/05 23.67% 11.94% 9.51% 4.95% 3.44% 2.42% 4.39% 2.87% 3.21% 1.87%
2026/02/06 26.18% 10.84% 8.19% 5.78% 3.86% 3.26% 3.71% 2.93% 2.9% 2.76%
2026/02/07 23.76% 11.47% 9.96% 7.93% 3.25% 3.42% 3.66% 1.99% 1.17% 3.03%
2026/02/08 28.23% 9.62% 10.09% 6.65% 2.88% 3.35% 2.93% 1.26% 2.66% 2.73%
2026/02/09 21.32% 10.31% 8.65% 9.33% 3.08% 3.48% 3.02% 2.75% 2.71% 3.55%
2026/02/10 21.82% 10.58% 8.75% 9.39% 3.73% 3.39% 3.07% 2.53% 2.87% 3.31%
2026/02/11 25.79% 10.52% 9.23% 8.56% 4.37% 3.78% 3.16% 2.97% 2.58% 2.43%
2026/02/12 22.85% 11.52% 9.18% 4.77% 3.32% 2.34% 4.24% 2.77% 3.1% 1.8%
2026/02/13 25.33% 10.49% 7.92% 5.59% 3.73% 3.16% 3.59% 2.84% 2.81% 2.68%
2026/02/14 23.3% 11.25% 9.77% 7.79% 3.19% 3.35% 3.59% 1.95% 1.15% 2.97%
2026/02/15 27.67% 9.43% 9.9% 6.53% 2.82% 3.28% 2.87% 1.23% 2.6% 2.68%
2026/02/16 20.2% 9.76% 8.19% 8.84% 2.92% 3.3% 2.86% 2.62% 2.56% 3.37%
2026/02/17 26.61% 11.3% 7.79% 10.24% 4.61% 2.32% 3.39% 3.43% 3.69% 1.81%
2026/02/18 20.73% 12.3% 9.63% 10.73% 4.1% 5.15% 3.02% 2.59% 3.08% 2.97%
2026/02/19 31.54% 8.98% 10.12% 7.02% 3.88% 4.4% 3.33% 3.12% 2.29% 1.65%
2026/02/20 20.56% 10.37% 11.42% 10.09% 5.2% 6.19% 3.17% 2.9% 2.33% 2.36%
2026/02/21 19.59% 13.61% 11.49% 6.33% 5.87% 5.62% 3.85% 1.92% 3.23% 2.83%
2026/02/22 18.12% 11.8% 11.13% 10.77% 5.5% 2.41% 4.88% 3.55% 2.54% 3.77%
2026/02/23 19.1% 9.82% 11.99% 9.66% 4.62% 5.28% 2.9% 1.53% 3.22% 3.06%
2026/02/24 20.02% 10.5% 13.35% 8.73% 3.83% 5.63% 2.87% 3.26% 3.04% 2.51%
2026/02/25 22.22% 10.35% 12.75% 9.98% 4.33% 5.53% 2.48% 3.45% 2.25% 2.77%
2026/02/26 20.77% 9.72% 13.27% 10% 4.98% 5.91% 2.17% 2.55% 1.94% 2.09%
2026/02/27 27.1% 10.07% 12.15% 9.49% 5.05% 4.72% 2.16% 2.83% 2.24% 2.11%
2026/02/28 24.79% 11.93% 10.31% 6.55% 4.82% 3.2% 2.87% 2.54% 2.5% 2.34%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carmax.com
  • kbb.com
  • cars.com
  • enterprise.com
  • autotrader.com
  • autonation.com
  • carfax.com
  • edmunds.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana led February with fluctuating spend, peaking at 31.54% on the 19th. CarGurus and CarMax followed, showing steady trends. KBB and Cars.com had moderate shares, while Enterprise and AutoTrader saw varied activity. The month ended with Carvana maintaining dominance.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for US Automotive Online Car Retailers

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
2026/02/01 1062
2026/02/02 1109
2026/02/03 1120
2026/02/04 1158
2026/02/05 1169
2026/02/06 1120
2026/02/07 1122
2026/02/08 1112
2026/02/09 1113
2026/02/10 1091
2026/02/11 1100
2026/02/12 1169
2026/02/13 1120
2026/02/14 1122
2026/02/15 1112
2026/02/16 1113
2026/02/17 920
2026/02/18 989
2026/02/19 946
2026/02/20 915
2026/02/21 862
2026/02/22 954
2026/02/23 925
2026/02/24 925
2026/02/25 886
2026/02/26 894
2026/02/27 883
2026/02/28 861

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

February began with 1,062 advertisers, peaking at 1,169 by mid-month. A decline followed, ending with 861 advertisers.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for US Automotive Online Car Retailers

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
kbb.com 2.76%
carvana.com 2.07%
cars.com 0.61%
enterprise.com 0.41%
carmax.com 0.13%
campingworld.com -0.57%
autotrader.com -0.8%
truecar.com -0.84%
cargurus.com -0.89%
edmunds.com -0.99%

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Kbb.com and Carvana.com surged in click share, while Edmunds.com and Cargurus.com faced declines.

Campaign Efficiency

US Automotive Online Car Retailers Share of Impressions

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

Date carvana.com carmax.com cargurus.com kbb.com cars.com edmunds.com autonation.com carfax.com autotrader.com truecar.com
2026/02/01 19.72% 12.53% 11.83% 8.32% 3.64% 6.34% 4.7% 3.99% 3.32% 1.88%
2026/02/02 17.59% 10.46% 15.21% 6.3% 3.36% 4.02% 1.72% 2.87% 3.23% 1.22%
2026/02/03 25.97% 10.2% 11.63% 6.66% 3.8% 4.31% 3.93% 4.19% 2.96% 2.04%
2026/02/04 26.53% 11.24% 11.57% 4.72% 3.59% 4.38% 2.5% 5.35% 3.15% 2.87%
2026/02/05 19.78% 10.92% 12.66% 5.26% 3.74% 2.78% 4.46% 3.52% 4.47% 3.08%
2026/02/06 25.65% 9.15% 11.64% 6.23% 3.83% 4.82% 3.6% 3.28% 3.66% 2.39%
2026/02/07 21.11% 11% 13.8% 8.81% 3.61% 5.21% 2.27% 1.31% 3.88% 3.71%
2026/02/08 27.62% 11.14% 10.64% 7.52% 3.02% 4.25% 1.29% 3.32% 3.2% 2.33%
2026/02/09 18.77% 10.65% 10.8% 8.57% 3.27% 5.43% 3.98% 3.04% 3.06% 2.33%
2026/02/10 19.43% 10.7% 12.55% 10.12% 3.77% 4.73% 2.97% 3.2% 2.95% 2.58%
2026/02/11 26.32% 12.56% 10.32% 7.59% 3.74% 3.4% 4.15% 2.59% 2.94% 2%
2026/02/12 19.78% 10.92% 12.66% 5.26% 3.74% 2.78% 4.46% 3.52% 4.47% 3.08%
2026/02/13 25.65% 9.15% 11.64% 6.23% 3.83% 4.82% 3.6% 3.28% 3.66% 2.39%
2026/02/14 21.11% 11% 13.8% 8.81% 3.61% 5.21% 2.27% 1.31% 3.88% 3.71%
2026/02/15 27.62% 11.14% 10.64% 7.52% 3.02% 4.25% 1.29% 3.32% 3.2% 2.33%
2026/02/16 18.77% 10.65% 10.8% 8.57% 3.27% 5.43% 3.98% 3.04% 3.06% 2.33%
2026/02/17 28.65% 8.51% 12.32% 8.59% 4.24% 2.67% 4.64% 3.43% 3.52% 4.31%
2026/02/18 18.04% 11.56% 14.07% 10.86% 4.3% 4.43% 4.19% 3.68% 3.22% 2.05%
2026/02/19 32.8% 11.6% 9.95% 7.55% 3.88% 1.93% 4.99% 2.35% 3.18% 0.78%
2026/02/20 20.14% 14.23% 12.94% 9.54% 4.66% 3.28% 6.48% 2.8% 3.22% 1.19%
2026/02/21 18.41% 13.43% 17% 7.05% 5.25% 3.43% 1.61% 3.37% 4.12% 1.24%
2026/02/22 15.27% 13.43% 13.79% 10.23% 4.73% 4.46% 5.77% 2.87% 4.3% 0.95%
2026/02/23 18.58% 14.43% 11.34% 10.51% 4.32% 5.32% 2.35% 3.46% 2.8% 1.44%
2026/02/24 18.35% 15.84% 11.73% 8.7% 3.68% 3.7% 5.98% 3.51% 2.81% 0.48%
2026/02/25 22.61% 15.9% 10.98% 9.26% 4.09% 4.78% 4.47% 2.52% 2.53% 1.2%
2026/02/26 19.7% 14.91% 12.94% 8.58% 5% 3.06% 3.83% 1.93% 1.98% 1.11%
2026/02/27 26.95% 14.64% 11.23% 7.75% 4.58% 3.13% 5.66% 2.5% 2.14% 0.59%
2026/02/28 24.78% 14.6% 13.38% 5.64% 4.63% 3.3% 3.12% 2.84% 2.82% 0.73%
  • carvana.com
  • carmax.com
  • cargurus.com
  • kbb.com
  • cars.com
  • edmunds.com
  • autonation.com
  • carfax.com
  • autotrader.com
  • truecar.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana led February with fluctuating impressions, peaking at 32.8% on the 19th. Carmax and Cargurus showed steady growth, while KBB and Cars.com had moderate gains. Autonation and Carfax experienced volatility, ending with lower shares.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Automotive Online Car Retailers

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 Automotive Online Car Retailers - Last month
  1. 1
    Cheap Used Cars For Sale - Largest Online Inventory https://www.cargurus.com

    Best Prices From Local Dealers. Shop for Cheap Used Cars Today! Don't Miss Out.

  2. 2
    What's Your Car's Value? https://www.carmax.com › appraisals

    Learn Your Vehicle's Value — Want To Trade? Find Out Your Car's Value And Take Up To 7-Days To Compare Your Options.

  3. 3
    Buy, Sell, Or Trade Online https://www.carvana.com

    Shop Cars Online, Haggle-Free — Find The Right Used Car For You At Carvana®. Search By Make, Model, Mileage And More! Buy...

  4. 4
    Official Kelley Blue Book Site - Find Your Car's Book Value https://www.kbb.com

    Kelley Blue Book® Empowering You in the Car Market. From Values To Service & Repair Guide. Used Car Values & Instant Cash Offers. Shop, Sell, Trade with Kelley Blue Book®. Trusted Car Valuations.

  5. 5
    TrueCar® Official Site - Find New & Used Cars for Sale https://www.truecar.com

    Find a great price on the car you want. Browse top used car deals near you.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of online car retail, five advertisers stand out with compelling narratives. CarGurus entices with the promise of the largest inventory and best local deals. CarMax focuses on transparency, offering a 7-day window to assess your car’s value. Carvana simplifies the process with haggle-free online transactions. Kelley Blue Book empowers consumers with trusted valuations and comprehensive guides. TrueCar highlights competitive pricing and local deals, ensuring buyers find the perfect match. Each ad weaves a unique story, capturing the essence of convenience, trust, and value.

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