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UK Retail Books and Music - PPC Market Share Analysis March 2026

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

Books and Music – UK

Google AI Overview visibility for Retail Books and Music UK

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

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AIO Frequency

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

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 11.1687937533
88.8312062467
11%

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 39
61
39%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 13%
Transactional 15%
Navigational 13%
Seasonal 9%
Local 0%
Problem Solving 5%

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Market Exposure

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

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

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Share of Clicks - Last month
Share of Clicks - Last month
Domain Share of clicks
amazon.co.uk 90.5
worldofbooks.com 2.62
etsy.com 1.08
gear4music.com 0.88
abebooks.co.uk 0.38
hmv.com 0.33
ebay.co.uk 0.28
audible.co.uk 0.26
blackwells.co.uk 0.22
axelbooks.com 0.21
others 3.24
  • amazon.co.uk - 90.5%
  • worldofbooks.com - 2.62%
  • etsy.com - 1.08%
  • gear4music.com - 0.88%
  • abebooks.co.uk - 0.38%
  • hmv.com - 0.33%
  • ebay.co.uk - 0.28%
  • audible.co.uk - 0.26%
  • blackwells.co.uk - 0.22%
  • axelbooks.com - 0.21%
  • others - 3.24%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Amazon.co.uk dominates with 90.5% click share, overshadowing others like Worldofbooks.com at 2.62% and Etsy.com at 1.08%. ‘Others’ collectively hold 3.24%.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 UK 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. 

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Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date amazon.co.uk worldofbooks.com papier.com gear4music.com photobox.co.uk etsy.com ebay.co.uk audible.co.uk axelbooks.com moonpig.com
2026/03/01 64.84% 5.17% 0.97% 1.67% 3.65% 2.89% 2.31% 1.11% 0.78% 0.91%
2026/03/02 61.86% 5.4% 1.6% 2% 2.99% 2.93% 2.28% 1.34% 1.22% 1.16%
2026/03/03 49.21% 8.21% 3.49% 1.93% 3.79% 3.2% 2.65% 1.76% 1.05% 1.85%
2026/03/04 54.03% 6.99% 2.81% 2.25% 3.39% 3.82% 2.62% 1.54% 1.13% 1.46%
2026/03/05 57.67% 6.92% 1.64% 1.84% 2.55% 4.71% 2.09% 1.83% 0.83% 1.32%
2026/03/06 51.94% 7.54% 2.28% 3.06% 3.02% 3.77% 2.01% 3.01% 0.98% 2.13%
2026/03/07 72.89% 4.72% 0.77% 1.71% 1.88% 1.56% 1.23% 1.61% 0.71% 1.28%
2026/03/08 71.12% 4.85% 1.49% 1.04% 2.78% 2.74% 1.3% 1.49% 0.6% 1.2%
2026/03/09 60.46% 5.97% 2% 2.94% 2.55% 3% 1.48% 2.74% 1.02% 1.48%
2026/03/10 57.45% 6.44% 2.34% 4.14% 2.97% 3.2% 1.39% 1.77% 1.07% 1.74%
2026/03/11 69.42% 4.97% 2.36% 2.69% 1.06% 1.54% 1.41% 1.48% 0.76% 1.45%
2026/03/12 69.18% 3.33% 2.6% 2.22% 1.57% 1.58% 1.01% 2.13% 0.93% 2.14%
2026/03/13 64.7% 4.26% 1.99% 3.33% 2.25% 1.24% 0.99% 1.66% 1.11% 1.78%
2026/03/14 51.94% 7.74% 2.33% 3.12% 4.01% 2.18% 1.86% 2.74% 1.62% 1.36%
2026/03/15 56.72% 6.98% 1.67% 2.44% 1.83% 2.81% 1.95% 3.64% 1.42% 1.89%
2026/03/16 69.82% 3.15% 1.05% 1.85% 2.53% 3.38% 1.06% 1.51% 0.87% 1.2%
2026/03/17 52.76% 4.76% 1.88% 2.55% 2.56% 4.61% 2.29% 3.18% 1.79% 0.75%
2026/03/18 51.61% 5.72% 2.12% 2.26% 2.45% 5.81% 2.01% 2.7% 1.75% 0.8%
2026/03/19 53.07% 5.83% 3.92% 2.69% 2.41% 3.81% 1.89% 2.59% 1.92% 0.86%
2026/03/20 50.59% 8.42% 2.97% 3.43% 2.86% 2.98% 1.62% 3.11% 1.69% 0.91%
2026/03/21 55.61% 7.37% 4.64% 3.03% 2.34% 2.69% 1.79% 1.8% 0.98% 0.93%
2026/03/22 51.68% 7.92% 5.49% 4.03% 2.82% 3.18% 1.64% 2.09% 1.29% 1.21%
2026/03/23 58.08% 6.18% 4.22% 3.75% 2.3% 3.15% 1.74% 2.4% 1.14% 0.81%
2026/03/24 52.7% 4.75% 1.87% 2.55% 2.56% 4.63% 2.28% 3.17% 1.79% 0.75%
2026/03/25 48.72% 7.91% 5.26% 5.55% 1.76% 4.17% 1.65% 1.36% 1.64% 1.7%
2026/03/26 51.76% 7.35% 4.25% 5.4% 4.04% 2.49% 1.52% 1.41% 1.82% 0.83%
2026/03/27 47.91% 6.26% 5.38% 5.62% 4.1% 4.11% 2.23% 1.24% 2.26% 0.92%
2026/03/28 56.93% 6.61% 3.02% 4.36% 2.97% 2.72% 1.66% 1.37% 1.33% 0.78%
2026/03/29 54.22% 7.75% 3.23% 3.9% 2.67% 2.73% 2.01% 1.67% 1.25% 0.85%
2026/03/30 43.91% 8.59% 4.26% 4.15% 3.73% 4.03% 2.03% 2.29% 1.49% 1.02%
2026/03/31 49.37% 6.74% 4.62% 4.5% 4.44% 3.41% 1.7% 1.59% 1.38% 0.85%
  • amazon.co.uk
  • worldofbooks.com
  • papier.com
  • gear4music.com
  • photobox.co.uk
  • etsy.com
  • ebay.co.uk
  • audible.co.uk
  • axelbooks.com
  • moonpig.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Amazon.co.uk dominated March with fluctuating spend, peaking at 72.89% on the 7th. Worldofbooks.com saw a steady rise, ending at 6.74%. Papier.com and Gear4music.com showed consistent growth, while Photobox.co.uk and Etsy.com maintained moderate shares.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for UK 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. 

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Competitor Count - Last month
Competitor Count - Last month
Date Competitor Count
2026/03/01 441
2026/03/02 455
2026/03/03 451
2026/03/04 457
2026/03/05 451
2026/03/06 458
2026/03/07 437
2026/03/08 436
2026/03/09 448
2026/03/10 437
2026/03/11 429
2026/03/12 444
2026/03/13 446
2026/03/14 419
2026/03/15 436
2026/03/16 456
2026/03/17 506
2026/03/18 473
2026/03/19 488
2026/03/20 488
2026/03/21 457
2026/03/22 443
2026/03/23 463
2026/03/24 506
2026/03/25 397
2026/03/26 412
2026/03/27 425
2026/03/28 408
2026/03/29 420
2026/03/30 417
2026/03/31 420

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

March saw fluctuating advertiser numbers, peaking at 506 on the 17th and 24th. The month concluded with 420 advertisers, reflecting a dynamic landscape.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for UK 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.

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Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Name Market Trend
worldofbooks.com 0.45%
gear4music.com 0.35%
etsy.com 0.19%
papier.com 0.17%
axelbooks.com 0.09%
audible.co.uk -0.02%
brittensmusic.co.uk -0.02%
theworks.co.uk -0.04%
moonpig.com -0.12%
amazon.co.uk -1.73%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the past month, worldofbooks.com surged by 0.45, while amazon.co.uk dropped by 1.73 in click share.

Campaign Efficiency

UK 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.

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Date amazon.co.uk worldofbooks.com etsy.com gear4music.com ebay.co.uk axelbooks.com papier.com zazzle.co.uk audible.co.uk awesomebooks.com
2026/03/01 83.33% 3.52% 1.76% 0.9% 1.52% 0.54% 0.21% 0.55% 0.5% 0.14%
2026/03/02 79.78% 3.78% 2.13% 1.19% 1.77% 1.02% 0.37% 0.43% 0.63% 0.24%
2026/03/03 76.79% 5.37% 1.99% 0.96% 1.83% 0.74% 0.64% 0.85% 0.69% 0.17%
2026/03/04 77.74% 4.69% 2.31% 1.14% 1.99% 0.82% 0.43% 0.87% 0.67% 0.12%
2026/03/05 74.62% 5.54% 2.92% 1.2% 1.94% 0.7% 0.45% 0.77% 1.03% 0.48%
2026/03/06 78.29% 4.67% 2.24% 1.22% 1.43% 0.63% 0.41% 0.89% 1.28% 0.36%
2026/03/07 86.46% 3.26% 1.08% 0.72% 0.85% 0.53% 0.16% 0.43% 0.79% 0.22%
2026/03/08 86.61% 3.28% 1.52% 0.48% 0.89% 0.48% 0.26% 0.45% 0.64% 0.29%
2026/03/09 79.38% 4.23% 1.8% 1.29% 1.16% 0.76% 0.46% 0.55% 1.32% 0.58%
2026/03/10 74.86% 5.14% 2.22% 1.95% 1.25% 0.98% 0.66% 0.64% 0.94% 0.99%
2026/03/11 81.96% 4.01% 1.42% 1.23% 1.3% 0.69% 0.56% 0.49% 0.76% 0.46%
2026/03/12 84.14% 2.31% 1.33% 1.05% 0.92% 0.8% 0.61% 0.48% 0.97% 0.52%
2026/03/13 80.98% 3.45% 0.92% 1.69% 1.05% 0.96% 0.48% 0.5% 0.77% 0.65%
2026/03/14 76.14% 4.89% 1.7% 1.45% 1.53% 1.37% 0.4% 0.78% 1.25% 0.54%
2026/03/15 76.84% 4.88% 1.86% 1.14% 1.57% 1.21% 0.44% 0.54% 1.8% 0.57%
2026/03/16 81.58% 2.78% 2.42% 1.04% 1.12% 0.87% 0.32% 0.57% 0.87% 0.33%
2026/03/17 72.23% 3.54% 3.17% 1.78% 2.19% 1.55% 0.49% 0.64% 1.76% 0.42%
2026/03/18 74.54% 4.33% 3.1% 1.17% 1.88% 1.45% 0.52% 0.88% 1.41% 0.63%
2026/03/19 72.47% 4.48% 2.64% 1.87% 2.04% 1.61% 1.11% 0.81% 1.49% 0.66%
2026/03/20 76.45% 5.4% 1.8% 1.51% 1.38% 1.22% 0.78% 0.66% 1.25% 0.45%
2026/03/21 81.38% 4.23% 1.54% 1.17% 1.12% 0.63% 1.17% 0.78% 0.69% 0.32%
2026/03/22 78.29% 4.85% 1.93% 1.61% 1.17% 0.95% 1.52% 0.71% 0.83% 0.41%
2026/03/23 76.76% 4.66% 2.68% 1.8% 1.45% 0.97% 1.32% 0.52% 1.03% 0.81%
2026/03/24 72.23% 3.54% 3.17% 1.78% 2.19% 1.55% 0.49% 0.64% 1.76% 0.42%
2026/03/25 77% 4.67% 2.91% 2.2% 1.08% 1.07% 1.4% 0.88% 0.44% 0.58%
2026/03/26 78.55% 4.23% 1.45% 2.69% 1.26% 1.2% 1.09% 0.51% 0.53% 0.54%
2026/03/27 74.83% 4.25% 2.22% 2.75% 1.63% 1.72% 1.37% 0.6% 0.56% 0.51%
2026/03/28 82.08% 3.76% 1.5% 1.49% 1.07% 0.89% 0.66% 0.25% 0.51% 0.48%
2026/03/29 76.92% 4.92% 2.13% 1.78% 1.43% 0.95% 0.84% 0.57% 0.74% 0.39%
2026/03/30 73.14% 5.24% 2.48% 1.93% 1.51% 1.08% 1.14% 0.59% 0.84% 0.54%
2026/03/31 76.56% 4.33% 2.49% 1.87% 1.22% 1.05% 1.04% 0.81% 0.61% 0.43%
  • amazon.co.uk
  • worldofbooks.com
  • etsy.com
  • gear4music.com
  • ebay.co.uk
  • axelbooks.com
  • papier.com
  • zazzle.co.uk
  • audible.co.uk
  • awesomebooks.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In March 2026, Amazon.co.uk dominated with fluctuating impressions, peaking at 86.61% on March 8. Worldofbooks.com saw a steady rise, reaching 5.54% on March 5. Etsy.com and Gear4music.com showed modest gains, while eBay.co.uk maintained a stable presence. Axelbooks.com and Papier.com experienced minor fluctuations. Zazzle.co.uk and Audible.co.uk had slight increases, with Awesomebooks.com remaining consistent. The month concluded with Amazon.co.uk leading, despite some variability.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK 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.

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Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK Retail Books and Music - Last month
  1. 1
    AbeBooks® UK Official Site https://www.abebooks.co.uk

    Shop the AbeBooks Marketplace — AbeBooks is an online marketplace for books, fine art and collectibles. The magic of AbeBooks is filling your shelves with new, used, and collectible books. Rare & Collectible Books.

  2. 2
    Order At Amazon.co.uk Now | All-In-One Online Store https://www.amazon.co.uk/

    Check out our selection & order now. Free UK delivery on eligible orders. Get deals on popular products on Amazon.

  3. 3
    Blackwell's, books for life and for learning Blackwell's https://www.blackwells.co.uk

    Trading since 1879, Blackwell of Oxford is the largest academic and specialist bookseller in the UK. Fast dispatch, carefully packaged, worldwide delivery.

  4. 4
    The UK's No. 1 Music Store | Shop With Gear4music Today http://www.gear4music.com › music › gear

    Whatever Music You're Into, We've Got the Gear For You. Thousands Of Products In Stock & Ready For Shipping Straight To Your Door. Types: Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars, Pianos, Keyboards.

  5. 5
    World of Books https://www.worldofbooks.com

    Sustainable Book Buying — Find Millions Of Best-Selling Books At Your Fingertips + Get Free Delivery On All Orders! Huge Selection Of High Quality Used Books. Low Prices...

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the vibrant world of online book and music retail, AbeBooks enchants with its rare and collectible offerings, while Amazon entices with convenience and deals. Blackwell’s stands as a beacon for academic pursuits, Gear4music caters to diverse musical tastes, and World of Books champions sustainability with affordable, high-quality used books.

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