UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - PPC Market Share Analysis August 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 18.8644504775
81.1355495225
18%

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 52
48
52%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 18%
Transactional 26%
Navigational 9%
Seasonal 0%
Local 3%
Problem Solving 6%

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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
vodafone.co.uk 8.91
sky.com 8.38
ee.co.uk 8.31
backmarket.co.uk 7.99
three.co.uk 7.48
samsung.com 7.21
o2.co.uk 7.08
carphonewarehouse.com 6.18
lycamobile.co.uk 5.05
mobiles.co.uk 3.3
others 30.11
  • vodafone.co.uk - 8.91%
  • sky.com - 8.38%
  • ee.co.uk - 8.31%
  • backmarket.co.uk - 7.99%
  • three.co.uk - 7.48%
  • samsung.com - 7.21%
  • o2.co.uk - 7.08%
  • carphonewarehouse.com - 6.18%
  • lycamobile.co.uk - 5.05%
  • mobiles.co.uk - 3.3%
  • others - 30.11%

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In the competitive landscape of Google’s PPC for mobile phones, Vodafone leads with 8.91% click share, closely followed by Sky and EE. Notably, ‘others’ collectively hold a significant 30.11% 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 ee.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com three.co.uk vodafone.co.uk backmarket.co.uk o2.co.uk sky.com mobiles.co.uk lycamobile.co.uk samsung.com
2026/08/01 6.01% 9.71% 7.34% 7.41% 8.61% 7.65% 6.39% 3.73% 3.55% 5.35%
2026/08/02 5.6% 8.85% 8.7% 6.8% 7.85% 9.1% 7.34% 3.68% 3.04% 5.88%
2026/08/03 6.36% 7.92% 7.79% 7.01% 8.92% 8.22% 6.12% 3.88% 2.93% 6.16%
2026/08/04 7.6% 7.88% 7.7% 9.17% 8.06% 6.23% 7.35% 4.36% 2.59% 6.1%
2026/08/05 6.46% 6.45% 7.57% 7.81% 8.71% 5.73% 7.58% 5.09% 3.4% 8.13%
2026/08/06 6.74% 6.39% 6.55% 7.01% 8.67% 10.06% 6.58% 4.87% 3.55% 8.29%
2026/08/07 7.7% 6.22% 6.77% 7.46% 8.22% 9.64% 7.88% 4.44% 3.51% 7.5%
2026/08/08 7% 7.36% 6.17% 10.39% 7.95% 8.43% 7.57% 3.85% 2.97% 5.99%
2026/08/09 7.3% 10.46% 4.98% 10.25% 5.98% 9.7% 7.51% 3.39% 3.2% 6.79%
2026/08/10 8.53% 11.43% 5.1% 9.74% 4.94% 9.67% 7.39% 4.18% 2.31% 5.44%
2026/08/11 9.05% 10.75% 6.44% 8.24% 3.61% 8.99% 7.02% 4.89% 3.45% 5.07%
2026/08/12 7.9% 10.1% 7.72% 8.39% 5.03% 8.08% 7.23% 4.05% 3.4% 5.14%
2026/08/13 8.6% 8.28% 9.15% 9.23% 4.35% 7.27% 8.39% 4.13% 3.61% 4.45%
2026/08/14 6.63% 8.88% 7.95% 8.6% 6.33% 8.91% 7.56% 4.34% 4.91% 5.31%
2026/08/15 7.77% 8.5% 6.02% 8.95% 6.9% 8.94% 7.8% 4.21% 4.82% 5.68%
2026/08/16 7.24% 7.32% 6.91% 9.1% 6.64% 9.18% 7.17% 5.43% 3.92% 5.8%
2026/08/17 6.65% 7.81% 6.68% 7.37% 6.88% 9.12% 6.96% 4.66% 4.95% 4.86%
2026/08/18 6.9% 7.52% 6.81% 7.37% 6.62% 9.69% 7.11% 4.75% 6.11% 4.9%
2026/08/19 7.73% 8.28% 6.19% 7.73% 6.2% 9.54% 7.04% 4.94% 5.5% 5.64%
2026/08/20 7.17% 8.37% 5.98% 7.94% 6.29% 8.79% 9.5% 4.49% 3.96% 5.98%
2026/08/21 8.37% 8.46% 5.66% 8.97% 7.62% 8.04% 7.71% 5.18% 3.9% 4.69%
2026/08/22 8.86% 7.27% 5.46% 9.96% 8.43% 7.33% 8.52% 5.12% 3.59% 4.77%
2026/08/23 8.66% 7.36% 5.75% 9.05% 7.21% 8.8% 6.97% 5.11% 3.28% 4.65%
2026/08/24 7.38% 7.87% 6.79% 9.03% 8.62% 8.16% 7.77% 5.17% 3.59% 5.7%
2026/08/25 9.41% 8.21% 6.27% 7.13% 6.71% 7.08% 10.34% 4.17% 5.09% 3.56%
2026/08/26 9.63% 7.92% 7.42% 7.68% 6.38% 8.2% 9.41% 3.82% 4.11% 3.43%
2026/08/27 10.11% 6.84% 7.22% 7.53% 6.82% 8.5% 9.55% 3.72% 3.9% 3.22%
2026/08/28 10.24% 7.53% 7.31% 7.81% 6.81% 9.14% 8.41% 5% 3.81% 3.55%
2026/08/29 9.83% 7.71% 7.33% 7.32% 7.93% 8.07% 6.99% 5.17% 5.37% 4.14%
2026/08/30 9.5% 8.69% 6.98% 7.86% 7.67% 6.83% 9.05% 5.36% 4.91% 3.3%
2026/08/31 8.97% 8.19% 8.16% 8.1% 7.66% 7.59% 7.15% 5.76% 5.17% 4.09%
  • ee.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • three.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • o2.co.uk
  • sky.com
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • lycamobile.co.uk
  • samsung.com

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In August 2026, “ee.co.uk” saw a steady rise, peaking at 10.24 on the 28th. “carphonewarehouse.com” fluctuated, reaching 11.43 on the 10th. “three.co.uk” had a dip mid-month but ended at 8.16. “vodafone.co.uk” maintained a strong presence, peaking at 10.39 on the 8th. “backmarket.co.uk” experienced a decline, while “o2.co.uk” showed consistent strength. “sky.com” surged late month, peaking at 10.34 on the 25th. “mobiles.co.uk” and “lycamobile.co.uk” remained stable. “samsung.com” saw a decline, ending at 4.09.

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
2026/08/01 326
2026/08/02 320
2026/08/03 316
2026/08/04 313
2026/08/05 308
2026/08/06 298
2026/08/07 289
2026/08/08 282
2026/08/09 286
2026/08/10 279
2026/08/11 266
2026/08/12 283
2026/08/13 298
2026/08/14 287
2026/08/15 277
2026/08/16 270
2026/08/17 268
2026/08/18 265
2026/08/19 270
2026/08/20 267
2026/08/21 259
2026/08/22 265
2026/08/23 274
2026/08/24 256
2026/08/25 303
2026/08/26 305
2026/08/27 305
2026/08/28 310
2026/08/29 300
2026/08/30 301
2026/08/31 301

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

August began with 326 advertisers, gradually declining to 256 by the 24th. A resurgence followed, peaking at 310 on the 28th, concluding the month at 301.

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
ee.co.uk 1.82%
sky.com 1.55%
lycamobile.co.uk 1.3%
motorola.com 0.97%
backmarket.co.uk 0.9%
apple.com -0.34%
o2.co.uk -0.38%
lebara.co.uk -1.23%
vodafone.co.uk -1.57%
samsung.com -2.6%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

EE.co.uk leads with a 1.82% click share rise, while Samsung.com drops by 2.6%. Sky.com, Lycamobile.co.uk, and Motorola.com also gain, contrasting Vodafone.co.uk’s 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 vodafone.co.uk ee.co.uk three.co.uk carphonewarehouse.com mobiles.co.uk ebay.co.uk sky.com samsung.com a1techdeals.com
2026/08/01 19.62% 8.81% 3.83% 6.44% 6.95% 3.2% 4.59% 4.24% 4.67% 3.87%
2026/08/02 19.1% 7.9% 3.6% 8.35% 6.42% 3.32% 4.16% 5.07% 5.72% 1.81%
2026/08/03 21.29% 8.77% 4.44% 7.35% 5.91% 3.29% 4.83% 4.33% 5.56% 1.88%
2026/08/04 17.74% 11.36% 5.22% 7.61% 5.81% 3.68% 5.04% 5.06% 5.26% 2.71%
2026/08/05 19.63% 9.13% 3.93% 7.46% 4.59% 4.42% 3.62% 5.17% 7.95% 3.18%
2026/08/06 20.48% 8.2% 4.29% 6.13% 4.75% 4.42% 3.91% 4.8% 8.05% 3.22%
2026/08/07 20.37% 7.97% 5.06% 6.46% 4.7% 4.25% 3.72% 5.6% 6.69% 3.77%
2026/08/08 17.81% 11.63% 4.51% 5.77% 5.64% 3.29% 5.26% 5.57% 5.73% 4.23%
2026/08/09 13.26% 12.99% 4.66% 4.93% 7.5% 3.11% 4.38% 5.59% 6.83% 5.25%
2026/08/10 12.02% 11.53% 5.87% 4.77% 8.01% 4.04% 5.44% 5.52% 5.47% 5.11%
2026/08/11 9.46% 10.15% 6.51% 6.44% 8.4% 4.86% 5.52% 5.56% 5.17% 4.38%
2026/08/12 12.44% 10.88% 5.3% 7.77% 7.92% 3.56% 4.51% 5.44% 5.04% 4.54%
2026/08/13 10.55% 11.64% 6.12% 7.99% 7.49% 3.79% 4.6% 6.53% 4.57% 3.78%
2026/08/14 14.34% 10.85% 4.4% 7.6% 7.26% 3.97% 3.63% 5.52% 5.01% 4.11%
2026/08/15 15.98% 10.96% 4.88% 5.62% 6.4% 3.78% 4.28% 5.9% 5.38% 4.68%
2026/08/16 16.83% 10.33% 4.8% 6.43% 5.98% 4.81% 3.96% 5.24% 5.32% 4.25%
2026/08/17 16% 8.73% 4.36% 6.63% 6.33% 4.28% 4.31% 5.16% 4.68% 4.36%
2026/08/18 16.29% 8.76% 4.57% 6.44% 5.87% 4.73% 4.4% 5.1% 4.89% 4.47%
2026/08/19 15.77% 9% 5.05% 5.91% 6.88% 4.46% 4.24% 5.17% 5.38% 4.57%
2026/08/20 15.25% 9.57% 4.89% 5.57% 6.81% 4.18% 3.79% 7.2% 5.64% 4.6%
2026/08/21 17.63% 10.51% 5.77% 5.2% 6.28% 4.85% 3.73% 5.33% 4.47% 4.55%
2026/08/22 19.15% 10.84% 5.98% 5.18% 5.97% 4.55% 4.29% 5.68% 4.34% 3.86%
2026/08/23 16.54% 10.49% 5.93% 5.4% 5.94% 4.73% 4.76% 4.81% 4.5% 4.14%
2026/08/24 19.11% 10.5% 4.72% 6.38% 5.71% 4.8% 4.56% 5.63% 5.38% 3.57%
2026/08/25 15.7% 8.49% 6.63% 5.75% 6.27% 3.76% 4.8% 7.51% 3.35% 3.65%
2026/08/26 14.88% 9.51% 7.44% 6.68% 6.05% 3.39% 3.99% 6.84% 3.37% 3.36%
2026/08/27 15.16% 9.62% 8.59% 6.77% 5.58% 3.29% 3.87% 6.96% 3.2% 3.19%
2026/08/28 15.93% 9.18% 8.61% 6.74% 5.97% 4.5% 4.11% 5.99% 3.36% 3.62%
2026/08/29 18.45% 8.17% 8.21% 6.75% 6.18% 5.13% 4.21% 4.79% 3.55% 3.37%
2026/08/30 17.39% 8.55% 8.27% 6.5% 6.7% 4.8% 6.07% 6.1% 3.08% 2.34%
2026/08/31 16.82% 9.05% 8.27% 7.55% 6.83% 5.57% 5.15% 4.95% 3.55% 1.44%
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • ee.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • ebay.co.uk
  • sky.com
  • samsung.com
  • a1techdeals.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In August 2026, Backmarket.co.uk led with fluctuating impressions, peaking early and stabilizing mid-month. Vodafone.co.uk saw a steady rise, while EE.co.uk and Three.co.uk showed consistent growth. Carphonewarehouse.com and Mobiles.co.uk maintained moderate shares. By month’s end, Backmarket.co.uk remained dominant.

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
    Vodafone Pay Monthly Contract Phone Deals https://www.carphonewarehouse.com

    Explore Vodafone SIM-only and pay-monthly deals on iPhone, Samsung, and more. Upgrade today with Carphone Warehouse and enjoy great-value contracts and offers!

  2. 2
    Free Pay As You Go SIM Card | PAYG SIM Cards | EE Shop https://www.ee.co.uk

    Order a free Payg Sim card today and take advantage of a pay as you go plan, bursting with double data for 3 months. Shop online at EE to find out more.

  3. 3
    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...

  4. 4
    Cheap SIM Deals UK | Low-Cost SIM Only | Talkmobile https://www.talkmobile.co.uk

    Find cheap SIM deals in the UK with Talkmobile. Explore low-cost SIM Only options with flexible contracts.

  5. 5
    Vodafone Official Site https://www.vodafone.co.uk

    The Best Mobile Phone Deals — Get A New Phone Every Year Or Keep Your Phone Lasting Longer With Vodafone EVO. Discover...

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of mobile phone deals, Carphone Warehouse shines with enticing Vodafone contracts, while EE tempts with free SIMs and double data. Lebara and Talkmobile cater to value seekers with affordable SIM-only plans. Vodafone’s EVO offers flexibility, promising new phones annually.

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