US Automotive Online Car Retailers - PPC Market Share Analysis March 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 10.663560467
89.336439533
10%

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 62
38
62%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 29%
Transactional 30%
Navigational 8%
Seasonal 0%
Local 2%
Problem Solving 9%

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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 35.59
kbb.com 20.65
cargurus.com 6.67
cars.com 5.11
carmax.com 4.95
autotrader.com 3.89
edmunds.com 3.48
enterprise.com 3.42
carfax.com 2.24
campingworld.com 1.27
others 12.73
  • carvana.com - 35.59%
  • kbb.com - 20.65%
  • cargurus.com - 6.67%
  • cars.com - 5.11%
  • carmax.com - 4.95%
  • autotrader.com - 3.89%
  • edmunds.com - 3.48%
  • enterprise.com - 3.42%
  • carfax.com - 2.24%
  • campingworld.com - 1.27%
  • others - 12.73%

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Carvana leads with 35.59% click share, followed by KBB at 20.65%. Others collectively hold 12.73%, showcasing 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 carmax.com cargurus.com kbb.com cars.com autonation.com enterprise.com edmunds.com autotrader.com carfax.com
2026/03/01 22.34% 13.8% 11.41% 7.96% 4.77% 3.07% 2.53% 3.05% 4.48% 2.9%
2026/03/02 21.9% 11.31% 11.21% 7.97% 6.14% 1.83% 5.52% 2.83% 4.53% 3.13%
2026/03/03 32.48% 9.01% 11.66% 7.68% 4.32% 2.55% 2.46% 1.61% 4.76% 2.74%
2026/03/04 22.51% 10.06% 13.66% 8.64% 4.65% 1.6% 3.96% 2.83% 4.25% 2.86%
2026/03/05 29.03% 9.5% 10.51% 6.9% 4.84% 2.33% 4.15% 2.58% 4.86% 1.91%
2026/03/06 29.53% 10.13% 11.38% 6.99% 4.83% 1.32% 2.93% 1.95% 4.67% 1.89%
2026/03/07 26.09% 11.25% 9.59% 9.15% 4.62% 1.76% 3.95% 2.36% 4.06% 2.15%
2026/03/08 31.81% 11.37% 9.63% 7.39% 3.55% 2.99% 2.68% 2.49% 4.49% 1.65%
2026/03/09 19.84% 12.34% 12.06% 9.38% 5.38% 2.2% 4.3% 2.44% 3.71% 1.75%
2026/03/10 19.68% 11.95% 12.04% 9.17% 5.84% 2.45% 4.8% 2.51% 4.8% 1.96%
2026/03/11 37.64% 9.49% 8.48% 5.95% 4.69% 1.29% 2.88% 1.99% 3.45% 1.72%
2026/03/12 25.31% 10.48% 10.53% 7.57% 5.02% 1.59% 3.75% 1.83% 3.13% 2.65%
2026/03/13 36.96% 9.9% 6.57% 7.45% 3.6% 4.13% 2.5% 1.96% 2.5% 1.74%
2026/03/14 29.05% 11.22% 9.72% 7.47% 4.53% 1.96% 2.63% 2.17% 3.01% 1.84%
2026/03/15 21.08% 14.72% 11.32% 8.88% 5.84% 2.14% 3.55% 2.9% 3.74% 2.17%
2026/03/16 19.47% 12.98% 11.76% 8.88% 5.23% 2.01% 3.9% 2.44% 2.86% 2.27%
2026/03/17 35.57% 8.68% 11% 5.81% 4.69% 2.77% 3.13% 1.98% 2.48% 1.99%
2026/03/18 20.54% 12.1% 12.43% 8.84% 5.11% 2.28% 3.34% 2.86% 3.54% 2%
2026/03/19 19.3% 12.91% 10.25% 8.49% 5.33% 2.21% 5.06% 2.82% 3.12% 1.52%
2026/03/20 19.19% 10.93% 11.8% 10.86% 5.65% 3.14% 4.06% 2.95% 4.02% 1.38%
2026/03/21 20.95% 11% 11.5% 8.81% 4.79% 1.43% 4.68% 3.21% 2.78% 1.28%
2026/03/22 20.95% 13.88% 12.1% 8.23% 5.4% 1.99% 3.58% 2.29% 4.97% 1.64%
2026/03/23 26.68% 12.16% 10.86% 8.5% 4.87% 2.6% 4.4% 2.51% 3.67% 1.48%
2026/03/24 20.79% 12.84% 11.33% 10.57% 4.39% 2.55% 6.01% 2.04% 3.58% 2%
2026/03/25 18.48% 13.38% 12.53% 10.26% 4.64% 3.99% 2.11% 2.14% 3.03% 1.91%
2026/03/26 27.32% 11.68% 11.17% 10.13% 4.25% 2.96% 2.86% 2.28% 3.42% 2.12%
2026/03/27 21% 14.43% 11.03% 10.19% 5.2% 1.16% 3.89% 2.72% 2.37% 2.45%
2026/03/28 19.55% 13.94% 13.02% 10.77% 4.77% 1.35% 3.69% 3.17% 2.65% 2.12%
2026/03/29 26.03% 12.67% 9.9% 9.5% 4.18% 3.09% 4.09% 2.8% 2.32% 1.47%
2026/03/30 24.82% 10.39% 9.86% 9.92% 5.26% 2.33% 3.38% 3.41% 2.81% 1.89%
2026/03/31 16.99% 12.3% 11.68% 10.77% 5.12% 4.92% 4.66% 3.74% 2.02% 1.79%
  • carvana.com
  • carmax.com
  • cargurus.com
  • kbb.com
  • cars.com
  • autonation.com
  • enterprise.com
  • edmunds.com
  • autotrader.com
  • carfax.com

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Carvana’s PPC spend fluctuated, peaking at 37.64% on March 11. Carmax and Cargurus maintained steady shares, while KBB saw a rise. By month’s end, Carvana led, closing at 16.99%.

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
2026/03/01 854
2026/03/02 846
2026/03/03 909
2026/03/04 891
2026/03/05 872
2026/03/06 936
2026/03/07 758
2026/03/08 777
2026/03/09 826
2026/03/10 846
2026/03/11 893
2026/03/12 877
2026/03/13 870
2026/03/14 847
2026/03/15 821
2026/03/16 862
2026/03/17 906
2026/03/18 887
2026/03/19 829
2026/03/20 797
2026/03/21 705
2026/03/22 790
2026/03/23 782
2026/03/24 708
2026/03/25 740
2026/03/26 687
2026/03/27 786
2026/03/28 764
2026/03/29 715
2026/03/30 750
2026/03/31 759

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March began with 854 advertisers, peaking at 936 on the 6th. A decline followed, reaching a low of 687 on the 26th. The month concluded with 759 advertisers, reflecting a dynamic landscape.

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 6.26%
edmunds.com 1.01%
cars.com 0.83%
enterprise.com 0.76%
carmax.com 0.73%
autorentals.com -0.05%
drivetime.com -0.09%
sca.auction -0.09%
campingworld.com -0.55%
carvana.com -11.8%

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Kbb.com surged with a 6.26% click share increase, while carvana.com faced an 11.8% decline. Edmunds.com, cars.com, and enterprise.com also saw positive growth.

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 carmax.com carvana.com cargurus.com kbb.com autonation.com edmunds.com cars.com carfax.com autotrader.com driveway.com
2026/03/01 14.48% 19.31% 13.13% 7.15% 4.2% 5.03% 4.48% 3.33% 3.82% 1.08%
2026/03/02 15.27% 19.84% 12.55% 8.09% 2.16% 4.73% 5.41% 3.34% 4% 2.18%
2026/03/03 11.45% 30.86% 12.85% 7.38% 3.54% 2.24% 4.02% 3.34% 4.41% 0.8%
2026/03/04 13.1% 20.25% 14.24% 8.82% 2.2% 4.19% 4.88% 3.81% 4.53% 2.74%
2026/03/05 12.08% 26.65% 11.32% 7.21% 4.23% 4.05% 4.3% 2.36% 4.4% 2.55%
2026/03/06 12.98% 28.94% 11.87% 6.89% 0.95% 2.78% 4.27% 2.29% 4.35% 2.9%
2026/03/07 13.17% 24.04% 10.8% 8.73% 2.63% 3.84% 4.42% 2.4% 3.47% 3.08%
2026/03/08 13.04% 30.99% 10.08% 7.16% 4.79% 3.8% 3.49% 2.26% 3.92% 1.59%
2026/03/09 14.4% 17.29% 12.24% 9.67% 3.85% 3.88% 5.76% 2.12% 3.51% 1.56%
2026/03/10 15.42% 16.78% 11.98% 9.9% 4.24% 4.1% 5.62% 2.43% 4.7% 2.99%
2026/03/11 13.73% 37.71% 7.89% 4.75% 1.05% 2.87% 4.23% 2.64% 3.06% 0.81%
2026/03/12 13.26% 23.32% 10.9% 6.92% 1.49% 2.97% 4.78% 2.72% 3.04% 1.68%
2026/03/13 12.02% 31.81% 6.64% 6.84% 6.09% 3.5% 3.56% 3.3% 2.31% 2.77%
2026/03/14 13.35% 27.79% 9.09% 7.71% 3.14% 3.65% 3.98% 2.23% 2.92% 1.71%
2026/03/15 16.92% 18.27% 11.59% 8.47% 2.1% 6.72% 5.33% 2.66% 3.98% 1.24%
2026/03/16 15.27% 15.88% 11.69% 8.17% 2.81% 3.64% 5.12% 2.54% 3.19% 2.58%
2026/03/17 9.67% 34.37% 12.01% 5.72% 3.86% 3.3% 4.89% 2.25% 2.56% 0.95%
2026/03/18 14.57% 16.93% 14.17% 9.17% 2.98% 5.11% 5.57% 2.6% 3.83% 1.72%
2026/03/19 15.91% 16.77% 12.1% 8.59% 2.59% 5.93% 4.58% 1.89% 2.82% 2.36%
2026/03/20 14.15% 16.03% 11.92% 10.39% 3.9% 5.09% 5.05% 1.68% 3.82% 4.46%
2026/03/21 12.44% 19.26% 12.28% 8.72% 1.58% 5.59% 4.47% 1.6% 2.59% 1.91%
2026/03/22 16.27% 21.28% 12.78% 8.33% 3.1% 3.3% 4.73% 1.98% 4.03% 3.87%
2026/03/23 14.88% 27.42% 10.81% 7.68% 4.15% 3.93% 4.04% 1.77% 3.18% 2.69%
2026/03/24 15.61% 20.47% 12.29% 10.7% 3.48% 2.71% 4.29% 2.33% 3.39% 1.48%
2026/03/25 15.9% 18.21% 12.91% 10.23% 6.41% 2.91% 4.28% 2.05% 3.02% 0.91%
2026/03/26 12.53% 29.5% 12.03% 9.73% 4.56% 3.46% 3.89% 2.5% 2.96% 1.47%
2026/03/27 15.83% 20.33% 11.24% 9.08% 1.67% 4.26% 4.64% 4.17% 2.12% 1.06%
2026/03/28 14.52% 18.43% 15.09% 10.74% 1.52% 5.58% 4.65% 2.54% 2.59% 1.9%
2026/03/29 12.16% 27.43% 9.49% 9.11% 4.16% 4.32% 3.72% 1.88% 2.17% 2.26%
2026/03/30 11.86% 23.83% 10.71% 10.11% 2.72% 5.97% 4.33% 2.24% 2.44% 3.34%
2026/03/31 16.06% 13.15% 11.6% 10.22% 7.64% 6.36% 4.94% 2.07% 2.01% 1.58%
  • carmax.com
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • kbb.com
  • autonation.com
  • edmunds.com
  • cars.com
  • carfax.com
  • autotrader.com
  • driveway.com

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Carvana led March with fluctuating dominance, peaking mid-month. Carmax and Cargurus showed steady presence, while KBB and Autonation had varied performances. The month concluded with Carvana maintaining a strong impression share.

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
    We'll Buy Your Car https://www.autonation.com › sell-my-car

    Sell or Trade Your Car — Our process is fast, easy, and transparent. Start with your VIN or plate.

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

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

  3. 3
    Cars.com https://www.cars.com

    Official Cars.com Site — Cars.com - Your One-Stop-Shop for Buying and Selling Cars. 2M+ Vehicles Available! Explore 2M...

  4. 4
    Used Car Value Calculator https://www.edmunds.com › used_car › book_value

    Fair Book Value — How much is my car worth: Instant used car value and trade in value, Get the most for your car. Compare up to three online...

  5. 5
    Official Kelley Blue Book Site https://www.kbb.com › shop › kbb

    Free Used Car Price Quote — From Car Research To Auto Repair Pricing, Kelley Blue Book® Is A Great Car Resource. Used Car Values & Instant Cash Offers. Shop, Sell, Trade with Kelley Blue Book®. Find The Right Car.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of online car retail, AutoNation’s ad promises a swift, transparent car selling process. CarMax emphasizes value comparison, offering a 7-day decision window. Cars.com positions itself as a comprehensive marketplace with over 2 million vehicles. Edmunds provides instant car valuations, while Kelley Blue Book offers extensive car resources and instant cash offers.

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