UK Telecommunications Mobile Phone & Smart Phones - PPC Market Share Analysis May 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 19.0742158517
80.9257841483
19%

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 57
43
56%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 19%
Transactional 30%
Navigational 6%
Seasonal 1%
Local 2%
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 11.71
backmarket.co.uk 8.99
carphonewarehouse.com 8.26
ee.co.uk 8.21
three.co.uk 7.62
o2.co.uk 6.62
sky.com 5.47
samsung.com 4.31
asda.com 4.07
mobiles.co.uk 3.71
others 31.03
  • vodafone.co.uk - 11.71%
  • backmarket.co.uk - 8.99%
  • carphonewarehouse.com - 8.26%
  • ee.co.uk - 8.21%
  • three.co.uk - 7.62%
  • o2.co.uk - 6.62%
  • sky.com - 5.47%
  • samsung.com - 4.31%
  • asda.com - 4.07%
  • mobiles.co.uk - 3.71%
  • others - 31.03%

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In the competitive landscape of Google’s PPC for mobile phones, Vodafone leads with 11.71% click share. Following closely are Backmarket and Carphone Warehouse, while ‘others’ collectively hold a significant 31.03%.

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 carphonewarehouse.com backmarket.co.uk three.co.uk vodafone.co.uk ee.co.uk o2.co.uk sky.com mobiles.co.uk asda.com uswitch.com
2026/05/01 6.88% 9.33% 6.53% 9.49% 6.32% 11.75% 6.91% 4.46% 1.69% 2.52%
2026/05/02 7.44% 7.12% 6.89% 9.97% 6.18% 10.8% 7.29% 4.33% 1.85% 3.19%
2026/05/03 6.51% 6.98% 8.35% 10.16% 6.05% 12.53% 5.59% 3.99% 1.26% 4.11%
2026/05/04 5.95% 4.97% 8.24% 9.99% 7.9% 11.99% 6.05% 4.53% 1.33% 5%
2026/05/05 6.38% 5.63% 8.56% 7.64% 7.01% 11.4% 6.09% 4.15% 1.37% 4.49%
2026/05/06 6.78% 7.26% 8.06% 10.01% 5.94% 9.83% 6.47% 3.77% 1.42% 4.25%
2026/05/07 6.03% 10.55% 7.41% 6.42% 5.35% 10.24% 7.83% 3.83% 1.75% 3.74%
2026/05/08 6.15% 9.18% 7.89% 6.87% 5.62% 11.9% 6.66% 4.12% 2.24% 4.01%
2026/05/09 5.57% 7.91% 8.67% 6.8% 5.47% 12.27% 6.46% 4.08% 1.26% 5.01%
2026/05/10 4.99% 7.38% 9.18% 7.12% 4.94% 12.86% 5.92% 3.81% 1.6% 5.22%
2026/05/11 7.78% 5.42% 8.32% 9.15% 7.48% 6.62% 5.68% 5.18% 5.6% 4.15%
2026/05/12 8.95% 7.27% 8.02% 9.63% 8.71% 6.3% 5.6% 5.09% 5.65% 3.93%
2026/05/13 7.25% 8.45% 9.03% 10.16% 5.27% 7.56% 5.63% 5.1% 5.13% 4.41%
2026/05/14 7.19% 6.77% 7.84% 9.71% 6.3% 7.74% 5.8% 5.01% 4.03% 5.21%
2026/05/15 6.14% 9.15% 7.88% 6.87% 5.62% 11.9% 6.65% 4.12% 2.24% 4.01%
2026/05/16 10.65% 5.04% 5.6% 9.93% 6.86% 6% 5.27% 6.41% 5.86% 3.48%
2026/05/17 13.55% 5.69% 6.1% 9.51% 6.94% 6.12% 5.09% 6.08% 4.05% 3.86%
2026/05/18 13.21% 5.83% 5.85% 9.52% 6.51% 5.71% 4.75% 6.21% 5.34% 2.93%
2026/05/19 13.45% 6.45% 5.53% 7.69% 6.1% 5.75% 5.6% 5.35% 6.1% 2.52%
2026/05/20 14.52% 6.71% 6.63% 6.75% 6.87% 5.86% 6.11% 5.2% 4.66% 3.09%
2026/05/21 14.25% 5.87% 6.06% 7.53% 8.49% 6.35% 6.66% 5.46% 4.29% 3.67%
2026/05/22 13.35% 5.92% 5.45% 8.83% 8.04% 6.25% 7.11% 5.81% 4.83% 3.04%
2026/05/23 11.18% 8.42% 5.16% 8.76% 8.04% 7.4% 6.47% 5.39% 4.75% 3.45%
2026/05/24 10.51% 6.89% 5.27% 9.46% 7.66% 6.77% 6.29% 5.21% 4.72% 3.66%
2026/05/25 12.19% 8.1% 5.6% 8.29% 7.47% 6.56% 7.07% 4.31% 3.83% 3.6%
2026/05/26 11.4% 8.75% 6.66% 7.75% 7.6% 6.37% 6.31% 4.25% 4.48% 3.38%
2026/05/27 10.58% 10.36% 6.99% 8.11% 7.34% 6.3% 7.21% 4.7% 4.77% 3.03%
2026/05/28 10.84% 11.22% 7.68% 7.91% 7.3% 6.36% 6.75% 5.48% 4.85% 3.17%
2026/05/29 11% 12.69% 8.83% 7.55% 6.67% 6.59% 6.24% 4.38% 4.78% 2.8%
2026/05/30 12.26% 8.64% 8.43% 7.8% 7.6% 6.77% 6.68% 4.79% 3.99% 3.46%
2026/05/31 12.63% 9.18% 9.06% 8.67% 7.18% 6.82% 6.35% 5.13% 3.25% 3.16%
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • ee.co.uk
  • o2.co.uk
  • sky.com
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • asda.com
  • uswitch.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In May 2026, Carphone Warehouse’s PPC spend share surged mid-month, peaking at 14.52% on the 20th. Backmarket saw fluctuations, ending at 9.18%. Vodafone maintained a steady presence, closing at 8.67%. O2 started strong but dipped, finishing at 6.82%.

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
2026/05/01 301
2026/05/02 297
2026/05/03 288
2026/05/04 310
2026/05/05 300
2026/05/06 305
2026/05/07 317
2026/05/08 313
2026/05/09 310
2026/05/10 307
2026/05/11 365
2026/05/12 389
2026/05/13 384
2026/05/14 384
2026/05/15 313
2026/05/16 409
2026/05/17 414
2026/05/18 413
2026/05/19 402
2026/05/20 409
2026/05/21 423
2026/05/22 436
2026/05/23 426
2026/05/24 426
2026/05/25 443
2026/05/26 488
2026/05/27 464
2026/05/28 456
2026/05/29 464
2026/05/30 459
2026/05/31 480

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

May began with 301 advertisers, fluctuating slightly until a surge mid-month, peaking at 488 on May 26. The month concluded with 480 advertisers, marking significant growth.

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
carphonewarehouse.com 2.44%
backmarket.co.uk 2.14%
ee.co.uk 0.68%
apple.com 0.64%
1pmobile.com 0.34%
three.co.uk -0.67%
holafly.com -0.71%
uswitch.com -0.76%
lebara.co.uk -1.07%
o2.co.uk -1.5%

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Carphone Warehouse and Back Market surged with click share increases of 2.44 and 2.14, respectively. Meanwhile, O2 and Lebara faced declines of -1.5 and -1.07.

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 carphonewarehouse.com vodafone.co.uk three.co.uk sky.com ee.co.uk mobiles.co.uk o2.co.uk ebay.co.uk asda.com
2026/05/01 22.23% 5.89% 9.89% 5.19% 5.09% 4.99% 3.62% 5.35% 2.54% 1.86%
2026/05/02 17.71% 6.19% 10.12% 5.76% 6.19% 4.51% 4.05% 5.2% 2.45% 1.93%
2026/05/03 17.6% 5.59% 10.65% 6.4% 4.58% 4.44% 3.48% 5.99% 3.16% 1.51%
2026/05/04 12.85% 5.5% 11.61% 6.51% 4.96% 5.93% 4.06% 6.34% 3.62% 1.56%
2026/05/05 13.68% 5.53% 9.12% 7.05% 4.82% 5.77% 3.59% 5.63% 3.69% 1.42%
2026/05/06 17.19% 5.34% 11.38% 6.14% 4.98% 4.54% 3.01% 4.58% 3.48% 1.44%
2026/05/07 23.85% 4.73% 6.74% 5.44% 5.65% 4.02% 3.08% 4.69% 3.27% 1.71%
2026/05/08 21.66% 5.32% 6.76% 5.98% 5.1% 4.45% 3.3% 5.41% 2.55% 2.28%
2026/05/09 18.51% 4.82% 6.99% 6.53% 5.56% 4.14% 3.56% 5.62% 2.83% 1.17%
2026/05/10 17.62% 4.32% 8.12% 6.91% 4.95% 3.97% 3.32% 5.81% 3.22% 1.68%
2026/05/11 12.1% 6.52% 10.8% 6.11% 4.81% 5.75% 4.45% 3.11% 3.63% 6.08%
2026/05/12 15.51% 7.35% 10.59% 5.95% 4.64% 6.96% 4.24% 3.63% 3.19% 5.61%
2026/05/13 18.43% 5.47% 11.15% 6.96% 4.61% 4.56% 4.22% 3.87% 3.98% 4.45%
2026/05/14 15.39% 5.83% 10.89% 5.86% 4.65% 5.14% 4.27% 4.15% 4.11% 3.76%
2026/05/15 21.64% 5.32% 6.76% 5.98% 5.1% 4.45% 3.3% 5.41% 2.55% 2.28%
2026/05/16 11.43% 8.14% 11.3% 4.41% 5.18% 5.14% 5.47% 3.28% 4.36% 5.49%
2026/05/17 12.92% 9.87% 11.27% 4.92% 4.6% 5.01% 5.31% 3.04% 5.17% 3.85%
2026/05/18 13.16% 9.7% 11.24% 4.7% 4.26% 4.93% 5.46% 3.04% 4.53% 4.84%
2026/05/19 14.36% 9.66% 9.11% 4.52% 4.85% 4.76% 4.5% 3.09% 5.49% 5.25%
2026/05/20 15.05% 10.64% 8.06% 5.4% 5.43% 5.13% 4.26% 3.29% 4.93% 4.02%
2026/05/21 13.22% 11.29% 8.84% 5.11% 5.65% 6.29% 4.56% 3.68% 4.26% 3.97%
2026/05/22 13.43% 10.47% 9.84% 4.79% 6.24% 5.83% 4.83% 3.53% 4.04% 4.45%
2026/05/23 18.85% 8.17% 9.75% 4.23% 5.68% 5.43% 4.25% 4.18% 3.89% 4.35%
2026/05/24 15.52% 7.73% 11% 4.35% 5.3% 5.26% 4.11% 3.88% 4.48% 4.42%
2026/05/25 17.85% 8.95% 9.11% 4.54% 5.97% 5.04% 3.39% 3.88% 3.47% 3.6%
2026/05/26 19.21% 8.88% 8.04% 5.24% 5.1% 5.22% 3.3% 3.57% 3.34% 4.1%
2026/05/27 21.68% 7.97% 8.41% 5.5% 5.75% 5% 3.73% 3.48% 2.98% 4.42%
2026/05/28 23.64% 8.04% 7.86% 5.99% 5.55% 4.71% 4.14% 3.62% 2.96% 4.6%
2026/05/29 26.73% 8.2% 6.97% 7.44% 4.7% 4.23% 3.3% 3.5% 3.02% 4.26%
2026/05/30 18.7% 9.73% 8.09% 7.11% 5.73% 5.27% 3.85% 3.93% 3.05% 3.59%
2026/05/31 19.55% 10.22% 8.97% 7.72% 5.35% 4.77% 4.16% 3.9% 3.51% 2.81%
  • backmarket.co.uk
  • carphonewarehouse.com
  • vodafone.co.uk
  • three.co.uk
  • sky.com
  • ee.co.uk
  • mobiles.co.uk
  • o2.co.uk
  • ebay.co.uk
  • asda.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In May 2026, Backmarket.co.uk led with fluctuating impressions, peaking at 26.73%. Carphonewarehouse.com and Vodafone.co.uk showed steady growth, while Three.co.uk and Sky.com maintained moderate shares. Asda.com spiked mid-month, ending lower.

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

    Our Best SIM Only Deals — 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.

  4. 4
    SIM Only Deals | SIM Only Contracts, Plans and Pay As You Go | Three https://www.three.co.uk

    Get Your New SIM Sooner With Free Next Working Day Delivery. Join Three And Save Today.

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

    Our Latest Deals And Offers — Get A New Phone Every Year Or Keep Your Phone Lasting Longer With Vodafone EVO. View Our...

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of UK mobile networks, Lebara targets value seekers with SIM-only plans, while O2 emphasizes affordability and savings. Sky Mobile offers data flexibility, Three promises swift delivery, and Vodafone highlights yearly phone upgrades with EVO.

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