UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - PPC Market Share Analysis March 2026

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

Mobile Phone & Smart Phones – UK

Google AI Overview visibility for Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones UK

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 17.243932065
82.756067935
17%

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 56
44
56%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 20%
Transactional 29%
Navigational 6%
Seasonal 1%
Local 2%
Problem Solving 7%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones 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
backmarket.co.uk 9.67
vodafone.co.uk 8.87
ee.co.uk 8.85
o2.co.uk 8.58
three.co.uk 6.61
lebara.co.uk 5.54
samsung.com 5.22
carphonewarehouse.com 4.98
sky.com 4.51
asda.com 3.37
others 33.8
  • backmarket.co.uk - 9.67%
  • vodafone.co.uk - 8.87%
  • ee.co.uk - 8.85%
  • o2.co.uk - 8.58%
  • three.co.uk - 6.61%
  • lebara.co.uk - 5.54%
  • samsung.com - 5.22%
  • carphonewarehouse.com - 4.98%
  • sky.com - 4.51%
  • asda.com - 3.37%
  • others - 33.8%

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In the competitive landscape of Google’s PPC, ‘backmarket.co.uk’ leads with 9.67% click share, while ‘others’ collectively dominate with 33.8%.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones 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 o2.co.uk backmarket.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com sky.com ee.co.uk vodafone.co.uk mobiles.co.uk lebara.co.uk samsung.com three.co.uk
2026/03/01 10.48% 8.89% 6.33% 4.93% 5.74% 5.81% 4.16% 4.63% 4.89% 6.91%
2026/03/02 8.86% 9.2% 7.26% 4.94% 6.22% 5.73% 4.93% 4.11% 4.08% 6.45%
2026/03/03 9.11% 8.35% 7.21% 4.16% 8.99% 6.32% 4.95% 3.91% 4.04% 7.62%
2026/03/04 8.25% 8.83% 6.99% 4.49% 9.57% 6.62% 4.74% 4.14% 5.19% 6.52%
2026/03/05 8.6% 7.94% 6.39% 4.43% 8.51% 5.67% 4.29% 4.18% 6.12% 8.06%
2026/03/06 8.87% 7.23% 7.43% 4.06% 8.27% 6.87% 3.32% 4.43% 5.59% 8.88%
2026/03/07 12.13% 7.8% 5.58% 4.55% 6.9% 7.44% 3.4% 4.93% 3.85% 10.25%
2026/03/08 13.75% 7.27% 3.7% 3.76% 7.42% 8.29% 2.94% 6.17% 3.97% 9.52%
2026/03/09 10.55% 7.79% 6.68% 4.61% 6.91% 7.49% 3.32% 5.49% 6.12% 6.97%
2026/03/10 10.73% 7.68% 5.26% 3.91% 9.99% 7.75% 3.21% 4.46% 5.31% 8.05%
2026/03/11 10.28% 7.86% 5.5% 4.88% 11.77% 7.9% 3.52% 3.55% 3.67% 7.84%
2026/03/12 10.21% 9.22% 5.15% 5.31% 10.96% 7.3% 3.85% 3.15% 3.97% 7.58%
2026/03/13 9.88% 11.17% 6.05% 4.06% 9.02% 8.96% 3.17% 4.01% 3.19% 7.81%
2026/03/14 9.43% 10.98% 5.85% 3.49% 9.14% 9.07% 3.17% 3.9% 2.25% 8.03%
2026/03/15 10.23% 9.36% 6.12% 3.12% 9.99% 8.35% 3.37% 3.76% 2.58% 8.05%
2026/03/16 9.67% 8.5% 6.25% 3.31% 10.92% 8% 3.97% 3.73% 2.37% 7.21%
2026/03/17 7.31% 9.97% 6.31% 4.97% 10.07% 7.32% 4.32% 2.81% 2.44% 6.94%
2026/03/18 9.37% 8.03% 5.24% 4.73% 11.34% 8.42% 4.62% 3.9% 3.22% 8.23%
2026/03/19 10.19% 7.57% 4.72% 4.9% 10.88% 7.57% 4.57% 4.2% 3.46% 8.53%
2026/03/20 11.66% 6.97% 3.62% 5.07% 8.45% 7.68% 4.26% 4.61% 4.08% 9.25%
2026/03/21 13.79% 6.54% 3.02% 3.32% 7.42% 8.44% 4.41% 5.29% 4.1% 9.08%
2026/03/22 15.31% 6.29% 3.03% 3.29% 7.15% 8.73% 4.52% 6.02% 3.42% 8.33%
2026/03/23 12.24% 8.27% 7.46% 5.96% 6.39% 6.52% 5.42% 4.81% 2.67% 8.04%
2026/03/24 7.29% 9.96% 6.29% 4.97% 10.05% 7.31% 4.32% 2.81% 2.45% 6.93%
2026/03/25 14.44% 8.08% 4.01% 6.46% 7.21% 5.79% 3.13% 5.56% 2.04% 10.24%
2026/03/26 11.98% 10.8% 5.85% 4.67% 6.31% 4.82% 4.5% 3.99% 1.89% 9.15%
2026/03/27 12.08% 10.43% 4.46% 6.17% 5.02% 5.55% 4% 4.58% 2.3% 8.78%
2026/03/28 13.87% 9.06% 4.44% 5.03% 4.56% 8.2% 4.78% 4.27% 2.46% 9.13%
2026/03/29 12.94% 8.08% 6.25% 5.37% 5% 7.41% 5.72% 4.17% 2.66% 8.88%
2026/03/30 13.11% 8.77% 7.7% 5.93% 5.37% 6.52% 5.01% 4.55% 2.96% 8.63%
2026/03/31 13.45% 9.83% 8.58% 8.12% 6.11% 5.56% 5.11% 4.96% 2.84% 0.61%
  • o2.co.uk
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • sky.com
  • ee.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • lebara.co.uk
  • samsung.com
  • three.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In March 2026, O2’s PPC spend share fluctuated, peaking at 15.31% on March 22. Backmarket saw a decline, while Carphone Warehouse’s share rose towards month’s end. Sky and EE showed varied trends, with EE peaking mid-month. Vodafone and Mobiles.co.uk had steady shares, while Lebara and Samsung experienced fluctuations. Three.co.uk’s share dropped significantly on March 31, ending the month at 0.61%.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones

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
2026/03/01 326
2026/03/02 324
2026/03/03 340
2026/03/04 331
2026/03/05 334
2026/03/06 336
2026/03/07 321
2026/03/08 322
2026/03/09 319
2026/03/10 313
2026/03/11 324
2026/03/12 323
2026/03/13 323
2026/03/14 312
2026/03/15 320
2026/03/16 310
2026/03/17 339
2026/03/18 325
2026/03/19 329
2026/03/20 323
2026/03/21 307
2026/03/22 301
2026/03/23 324
2026/03/24 339
2026/03/25 292
2026/03/26 296
2026/03/27 296
2026/03/28 284
2026/03/29 288
2026/03/30 298
2026/03/31 294

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

March began with 326 advertisers, peaking at 340 on March 3. A decline followed, reaching 284 on March 28. The month concluded with 294 advertisers.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones

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
sky.com 1.46%
o2.co.uk 1.22%
lebara.co.uk 1%
three.co.uk 0.72%
mobiles.co.uk 0.64%
motorola.com -0.52%
asda.com -0.56%
apple.com -1.2%
ee.co.uk -1.54%
samsung.com -1.96%

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In the past month, sky.com soared with a 1.46% click share increase, while samsung.com faced a 1.96% decline.

Campaign Efficiency

UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones Share of Impressions

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

Date backmarket.co.uk o2.co.uk vodafone.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com sky.com ee.co.uk lebara.co.uk mobiles.co.uk samsung.com three.co.uk
2026/03/01 18.5% 5.11% 5.65% 4.67% 4.16% 4.67% 3.85% 3.11% 5.38% 4.88%
2026/03/02 18.72% 4.01% 6.19% 5.26% 3.92% 6.53% 3.35% 3.69% 4.18% 4.49%
2026/03/03 17.07% 4.16% 6.88% 5% 3.09% 9.81% 3.31% 3.68% 4.36% 5.2%
2026/03/04 17.37% 3.75% 7.08% 4.72% 3.44% 11.02% 3.35% 3.49% 5.38% 4.64%
2026/03/05 15.37% 3.93% 5.72% 4.35% 3.42% 9.96% 3.42% 3.03% 6.54% 5.99%
2026/03/06 14.58% 4.16% 7.93% 4.96% 3.27% 8.8% 3.8% 2.69% 5.67% 6.68%
2026/03/07 17.02% 5.98% 7.03% 4.2% 4.08% 5.98% 4.28% 2.73% 4.48% 8%
2026/03/08 15.57% 6.39% 8.72% 3.23% 3.27% 6.13% 5.47% 2.4% 4.76% 7.63%
2026/03/09 16.22% 5.1% 9.03% 5.09% 3.86% 5.9% 4.69% 2.68% 6.98% 5.32%
2026/03/10 16.17% 5.18% 8.31% 3.83% 2.84% 10.61% 3.48% 2.57% 5.97% 5.78%
2026/03/11 16.19% 4.83% 8.52% 3.8% 3.91% 13.24% 2.92% 2.62% 4.05% 5.5%
2026/03/12 18.62% 4.89% 8.17% 3.51% 3.94% 11.73% 2.51% 3.04% 4.08% 5.36%
2026/03/13 22.75% 4.49% 10.09% 3.86% 3.13% 8.4% 3.23% 2.52% 3.2% 5.24%
2026/03/14 21.68% 3.89% 10.59% 3.85% 2.63% 8.76% 3.21% 2.46% 2.3% 5.38%
2026/03/15 18.77% 4.3% 10.29% 4.27% 2.61% 9.64% 2.98% 2.51% 2.76% 5.09%
2026/03/16 17.81% 4.18% 10.02% 4.63% 2.51% 10.26% 2.97% 3.15% 2.48% 4.98%
2026/03/17 19.97% 3.09% 8.09% 4.12% 3.89% 9.62% 2.2% 2.95% 2.34% 4.42%
2026/03/18 17.02% 4.26% 9.63% 3.92% 3.98% 11.47% 3.09% 3.79% 3.43% 5.31%
2026/03/19 15.95% 4.66% 9.27% 3.69% 3.77% 11.79% 3.31% 3.7% 3.69% 5.65%
2026/03/20 15.12% 5.83% 9.22% 3.09% 3.66% 9.23% 3.93% 3.6% 4.6% 6.13%
2026/03/21 14.95% 6.79% 10.19% 2.89% 2.77% 6.65% 4.52% 3.81% 4.73% 6.49%
2026/03/22 14.39% 7.7% 10.39% 3.26% 2.69% 5.64% 5.4% 4.17% 4.63% 5.81%
2026/03/23 18.79% 6.15% 7.68% 5.77% 4.52% 5.74% 4.14% 4.29% 3.43% 5.64%
2026/03/24 19.97% 3.09% 8.09% 4.12% 3.89% 9.62% 2.2% 2.95% 2.34% 4.42%
2026/03/25 18.4% 7.58% 6.53% 4.03% 4.6% 6.85% 4.97% 2.6% 2.61% 7.33%
2026/03/26 24.22% 5.59% 4.48% 4.49% 3.39% 5.68% 3.1% 3.37% 2.09% 5.8%
2026/03/27 22.33% 5.29% 5.42% 3.68% 3.93% 4.88% 3.5% 3.08% 2.7% 5.5%
2026/03/28 20.44% 6.57% 9.26% 3.67% 3.24% 4.07% 3.71% 3.61% 2.89% 5.94%
2026/03/29 18.41% 6.11% 8.67% 4.72% 3.88% 4.59% 3.76% 4.67% 3.31% 5.93%
2026/03/30 19.64% 6.16% 7.56% 5.74% 4.25% 5.22% 3.99% 3.94% 3.52% 5.87%
2026/03/31 21.8% 6.45% 6.35% 6.15% 5.61% 5.07% 4% 3.88% 3.36% 0.38%
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • o2.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • sky.com
  • ee.co.uk
  • lebara.co.uk
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • samsung.com
  • three.co.uk

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

March saw dynamic shifts in PPC impressions. Backmarket.co.uk led with peaks mid-month, while o2.co.uk and vodafone.co.uk showed steady growth. EE.co.uk surged early, then stabilized. By month’s end, backmarket.co.uk maintained dominance.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones

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 UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - Last month
  1. 1
    O2 Unlimited Mini SIM Plan | Limited Time Only https://www.o2.co.uk

    Get An Unlimited Mini SIM Plan Deal At O2, For 24 Months.

  2. 2
    Phones On Sky Mobile - Sky Mobile Deals & Offers https://www.sky.com › phone › deals

    Stream Sky Apps Without Using Your Data. Roll Spare Data Into Your Piggybank Each Month. Swap To A New Phone Whenever You Want On Sky...

  3. 3
    Mobile Phone Deals – Pay Monthly Phone Contracts | Three https://www.three.co.uk

    Buy the latest mobile phones on a pay monthly contract. Use your phone abroad at no extra cost with Three.

  4. 4
    Lebara SIM Deals from £1.48pm - 70% Off 3 Months https://www.uswitch.com

    Flexible Contracts. EU Roaming Included. Up To 30GB

  5. 5
    The smarter place to buy a new phone | Vodafone EVO https://www.vodafone.co.uk

    Enjoy Ultimate Flexibility Of Our Pay Monthly Plans With Vodafone EVO.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of mobile phone deals, O2 entices with unlimited SIM plans, while Sky Mobile offers data-free streaming and flexible phone swaps. Three promotes international use without extra costs, and Lebara tempts with affordable, flexible contracts. Vodafone EVO highlights ultimate plan flexibility.

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