UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - PPC Market Share Analysis July 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 17.9989927598
82.0010072402
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 55
45
55%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 19%
Transactional 26%
Navigational 7%
Seasonal 0%
Local 3%
Problem Solving 7%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

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
vodafone.co.uk 11.47
ee.co.uk 8.41
o2.co.uk 8.16
backmarket.co.uk 7.44
three.co.uk 6.8
sky.com 6.68
carphonewarehouse.com 6.13
samsung.com 3.6
mobiles.co.uk 3.53
uswitch.com 3.53
others 34.25
  • vodafone.co.uk - 11.47%
  • ee.co.uk - 8.41%
  • o2.co.uk - 8.16%
  • backmarket.co.uk - 7.44%
  • three.co.uk - 6.8%
  • sky.com - 6.68%
  • carphonewarehouse.com - 6.13%
  • samsung.com - 3.6%
  • mobiles.co.uk - 3.53%
  • uswitch.com - 3.53%
  • others - 34.25%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of Google’s PPC for mobile phones, Vodafone leads with an 11.47% click share. EE and O2 follow closely, while ‘others’ collectively dominate with a significant 34.25% share.

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 carphonewarehouse.com backmarket.co.uk vodafone.co.uk three.co.uk sky.com ee.co.uk asda.com mobiles.co.uk uswitch.com
2026/07/01 13.53% 3.64% 5.65% 8.97% 2.91% 6.2% 9.25% 2.75% 3.84% 6.01%
2026/07/02 13.42% 4.47% 5.49% 7.57% 6.32% 5.85% 10.14% 1.73% 3.59% 6.44%
2026/07/03 10.14% 5.74% 6.3% 8.25% 4.74% 6.32% 8.23% 3.16% 3.63% 5.33%
2026/07/04 7.14% 7.25% 7.1% 9.36% 6.09% 6.47% 7.18% 4.84% 4.71% 3.44%
2026/07/05 8.39% 6.48% 6.65% 9.86% 6.15% 5.71% 7.23% 3.94% 3.96% 4.37%
2026/07/06 8.51% 6.53% 6.67% 8.84% 7.41% 5.42% 7.1% 4.13% 3.93% 4.34%
2026/07/07 9.02% 7.07% 6.26% 8.32% 8.79% 5.07% 7.62% 2.15% 3.75% 5%
2026/07/08 8.9% 8.69% 6.4% 8.29% 7.76% 4.48% 9.27% 0.92% 4.08% 5.09%
2026/07/09 8.79% 10.16% 7.09% 8% 6.1% 4.77% 8.71% 2.36% 5.33% 4.06%
2026/07/10 7.72% 8.75% 7.04% 8.37% 6.96% 5.25% 8.5% 3.66% 5.68% 4.3%
2026/07/11 7.75% 7.96% 7.79% 10.53% 6.77% 6.15% 8.54% 3.52% 5.4% 3.81%
2026/07/12 8.24% 8.1% 7.55% 10.33% 5.58% 5.96% 7.65% 4.13% 5.39% 4.06%
2026/07/13 8.64% 7.21% 6.66% 8.53% 5.56% 7.58% 7.59% 4.25% 5% 4%
2026/07/14 8.42% 7.16% 7.42% 9.28% 6.38% 7% 7.54% 4.44% 5.12% 3.52%
2026/07/15 10.48% 4.95% 6.79% 9.62% 6.13% 7.92% 8.41% 2.58% 4.57% 4.8%
2026/07/16 14.75% 5.46% 3.64% 8.14% 5.92% 7.3% 9.75% 1.3% 4.68% 5.85%
2026/07/17 11.42% 6.27% 7.5% 7.72% 6.8% 6.85% 7.33% 1.93% 4.78% 4.22%
2026/07/18 12.41% 4.42% 7.45% 6.95% 6.42% 6.31% 7.85% 2.38% 4.9% 3.85%
2026/07/19 12.07% 4.03% 6.11% 9.99% 6.07% 5.85% 8.81% 1.61% 4.34% 6.38%
2026/07/20 11.92% 5.37% 5.3% 7.11% 10.36% 5.97% 9.46% 1.49% 4.6% 4.63%
2026/07/21 8.44% 7.14% 7.4% 9.24% 6.37% 6.97% 7.54% 4.43% 5.12% 3.53%
2026/07/22 8.68% 8.62% 6.2% 7.65% 6.18% 6.49% 9.2% 2.83% 5.16% 3.64%
2026/07/23 8.32% 9.05% 5.85% 8.45% 6.33% 6.19% 10.8% 3.05% 4.84% 3.5%
2026/07/24 9.64% 7.65% 6.27% 9.06% 6.8% 6.35% 7.83% 2.99% 4.94% 4.28%
2026/07/25 9.53% 7.38% 6.43% 8.37% 6.97% 5.53% 8.63% 2.46% 4.94% 4.74%
2026/07/26 8.78% 8.19% 6% 8.53% 6.37% 5.94% 8.47% 2.86% 4.7% 4.55%
2026/07/27 9.17% 9.07% 5.97% 7.9% 6.73% 4.7% 8.02% 2.85% 4.28% 4%
2026/07/28 11.19% 6.93% 6.26% 8.59% 6.51% 5.15% 7.93% 2.63% 4.72% 5.85%
2026/07/29 10.65% 7.15% 7.75% 7.63% 8.25% 4.63% 7.3% 3.39% 3.84% 4.86%
2026/07/30 10.17% 7.31% 8.22% 7.47% 7.93% 5.33% 6.68% 3.91% 3.88% 3.3%
2026/07/31 8.91% 8.15% 7.87% 7.65% 7.24% 6.84% 5.87% 5.13% 3.91% 2.38%
  • o2.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • sky.com
  • ee.co.uk
  • asda.com
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • uswitch.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In July 2026, O2’s PPC spend share fluctuated, peaking mid-month at 14.75%. Carphone Warehouse saw a steady rise, while Vodafone maintained a consistent presence. By month’s end, O2 led, followed by Vodafone and Carphone Warehouse.

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
2026/07/01 348
2026/07/02 331
2026/07/03 339
2026/07/04 335
2026/07/05 345
2026/07/06 347
2026/07/07 332
2026/07/08 330
2026/07/09 332
2026/07/10 334
2026/07/11 328
2026/07/12 336
2026/07/13 337
2026/07/14 352
2026/07/15 338
2026/07/16 337
2026/07/17 327
2026/07/18 310
2026/07/19 299
2026/07/20 293
2026/07/21 352
2026/07/22 345
2026/07/23 348
2026/07/24 343
2026/07/25 356
2026/07/26 359
2026/07/27 344
2026/07/28 349
2026/07/29 321
2026/07/30 311
2026/07/31 320

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

July began with 348 advertisers, fluctuating throughout. Mid-month saw a dip to 293, but rebounded, ending at 320.

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
samsung.com 2.03%
o2.co.uk 0.56%
lycamobile.co.uk 0.49%
lebara.co.uk 0.27%
three.co.uk 0.19%
backmarket.co.uk -0.36%
ebay.co.uk -0.45%
tescomobile.com -0.47%
holafly.com -0.71%
vodafone.co.uk -1.27%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Samsung.com surged with a 2.03 increase, while vodafone.co.uk dropped by 1.27. O2.co.uk and lycamobile.co.uk saw positive gains, contrasting with declines for holafly.com and tescomobile.com.

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 vodafone.co.uk three.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com sky.com o2.co.uk ebay.co.uk ee.co.uk mobiles.co.uk uswitch.com
2026/07/01 12.81% 11.88% 2.33% 3.73% 4.75% 6.35% 3.75% 6.54% 3.6% 5.48%
2026/07/02 13.19% 10.45% 5.42% 4.8% 4.87% 6.66% 3.04% 7.34% 3.35% 5.83%
2026/07/03 14.69% 10.63% 3.74% 5.56% 5.21% 4.32% 3.63% 5.47% 3.06% 4.6%
2026/07/04 16.39% 11.53% 4.14% 6.33% 5.06% 2.6% 5.6% 4.48% 3.65% 2.68%
2026/07/05 15.21% 12.03% 5.11% 5.78% 4.48% 3.35% 4.57% 4.7% 3.09% 3.7%
2026/07/06 15.39% 11.23% 6.17% 5.48% 4.28% 3.5% 4.76% 4.59% 3.22% 3.69%
2026/07/07 14.44% 10.04% 7.87% 5.97% 3.89% 4.43% 4.23% 5.01% 3.08% 4.08%
2026/07/08 15.13% 10.15% 6.57% 6.76% 3.31% 3.87% 4.99% 5.97% 3.39% 4.27%
2026/07/09 16.34% 9.86% 5.12% 7.42% 3.57% 3.44% 5.2% 6.03% 4.15% 3.6%
2026/07/10 15.95% 10.7% 5.96% 6.61% 3.75% 3.44% 4.55% 5.78% 4.29% 3.75%
2026/07/11 17.2% 12.79% 5.92% 6.06% 4.68% 3.44% 4.13% 5.81% 4.46% 3.26%
2026/07/12 16.28% 12.44% 5% 6.46% 4.47% 3.67% 4.41% 5.15% 4.21% 3.43%
2026/07/13 15.38% 10.57% 5.12% 6.32% 5.67% 4% 3.45% 5.65% 4.17% 3.36%
2026/07/14 16.22% 11.1% 5.9% 6.78% 4.91% 3.79% 4.03% 5.57% 4.17% 2.94%
2026/07/15 16.04% 12.41% 5.2% 4.55% 6.05% 4.81% 3.81% 5.56% 3.83% 3.95%
2026/07/16 9.45% 11.02% 5.77% 5.25% 6.31% 7.18% 2.35% 6.41% 4.75% 6.09%
2026/07/17 16.93% 10.87% 5.9% 4.91% 5.48% 5.34% 3.41% 4.44% 4.13% 3.99%
2026/07/18 17.99% 9.92% 6.15% 3.88% 4.62% 5.72% 3.08% 4.41% 4.41% 3.82%
2026/07/19 14.96% 12.8% 5.47% 3.67% 4.65% 5.12% 1.85% 5.74% 4.1% 6.22%
2026/07/20 13.12% 9.91% 9.59% 5.25% 5.39% 5.72% 1.78% 6.18% 4.38% 4.41%
2026/07/21 16.18% 11.1% 5.91% 6.78% 4.92% 3.79% 4.03% 5.57% 4.18% 2.94%
2026/07/22 14.13% 10.08% 5.26% 7.75% 5.22% 4.02% 4.01% 7.12% 4.3% 3.07%
2026/07/23 13.23% 10.07% 5.48% 8.12% 4.93% 3.75% 3.67% 8.76% 4.23% 3.07%
2026/07/24 14.62% 11.26% 6.16% 6.62% 4.77% 4.4% 3.87% 5.56% 4.38% 3.43%
2026/07/25 14.86% 10.68% 6.18% 6.11% 4.26% 4.46% 4.1% 5.69% 4.07% 4.1%
2026/07/26 13.85% 10.82% 5.76% 6.72% 4.61% 4.19% 3.88% 6.07% 3.93% 4.09%
2026/07/27 13.63% 9.86% 6.45% 7.2% 3.67% 4.46% 3.33% 5.51% 3.93% 3.64%
2026/07/28 14.93% 10.13% 5.88% 6.09% 3.79% 5.59% 3.45% 5.21% 4.06% 4.93%
2026/07/29 17.78% 9.25% 7.61% 5.58% 3.4% 4.89% 3.8% 4.68% 3.31% 4.15%
2026/07/30 18.62% 9.32% 7.25% 5.83% 3.69% 4.68% 4.32% 4.36% 3.2% 2.69%
2026/07/31 19.79% 9.3% 6.01% 5.91% 5.07% 4.31% 3.91% 3.75% 3.2% 1.9%
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • sky.com
  • o2.co.uk
  • ebay.co.uk
  • ee.co.uk
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • uswitch.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In July 2026, Backmarket.co.uk’s impression share surged from 12.81% to 19.79%, leading the pack. Vodafone.co.uk saw a decline, ending at 9.3%. Three.co.uk and Carphonewarehouse.com showed moderate fluctuations, while Sky.com and O2.co.uk experienced varied trends. EE.co.uk and Mobiles.co.uk had stable shares, with Uswitch.com declining to 1.9%.

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
    Lebara https://www.lebara.co.uk › lebara_sim_card

    Official Lebara Website — Lebara is a mobile network provider in the UK, ideal for the value seeking customer. SIM Only plans...

  2. 2
    O2 SIM Only Deals https://www.o2.co.uk

    Summer Sale Now On O2 — Affordable SIM Only Plans. Keep Your Phone & Start Saving With An O2 SIM Contract Today

  3. 3
    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...

  4. 4
    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.

  5. 5
    Vodafone Official Site | Our Latest Deals And Offers https://www.vodafone.co.uk

    Get A New Phone Every Year Or Keep Your Phone Lasting Longer With Vodafone EVO. Discover...

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of mobile networks, Lebara targets value seekers with SIM-only plans, while O2 entices with affordable contracts. Sky Mobile offers data flexibility, Three promotes international usage, and Vodafone highlights phone longevity with EVO deals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Success Stories

Get the full picture

See this data specific to your brand performance

The data on this page is just a sample of the billions of data points we hold at Adthena. The insights generated by Ask Arlo, leverage real-time GenAI to answer questions about your search data.

Our search consultants can introduce you to Whole Market View data that is specific to your organization, based on the size of the relevant search term and competitor universe, and the locations that you need monitoring.

Related reports