US Automotive Dealerships - PPC Market Share Analysis December 2025

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

Dealerships – US

Google AI Overview visibility for Automotive Dealerships US

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 17.3376567277
82.6623432723
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 54
46
54%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 11%
Transactional 42%
Navigational 1%
Seasonal 0%
Local 7%
Problem Solving 14%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 US Automotive Dealerships 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
cargurus.com 18.57
carvana.com 14.69
autotrader.com 9.43
carmax.com 5.22
cars.com 4.76
carfax.com 4.42
autonation.com 2.1
truecar.com 1.81
bmwusa.com 1.16
echopark.com 1.08
others 36.76
  • cargurus.com - 18.57%
  • carvana.com - 14.69%
  • autotrader.com - 9.43%
  • carmax.com - 5.22%
  • cars.com - 4.76%
  • carfax.com - 4.42%
  • autonation.com - 2.1%
  • truecar.com - 1.81%
  • bmwusa.com - 1.16%
  • echopark.com - 1.08%
  • others - 36.76%

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In the automotive PPC landscape, CarGurus leads with 18.57% click share, followed by Carvana at 14.69%. Autotrader captures 9.43%, while ‘others’ collectively hold 36.76%.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 US Automotive Dealerships 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 carvana.com cargurus.com autotrader.com autonation.com carmax.com carfax.com truecar.com cars.com echopark.com drivetime.com
2025/12/01 19.24% 10.44% 4.33% 2.96% 3.35% 3.08% 2.08% 4.89% 1.6% 1.96%
2025/12/02 19.85% 10.79% 4.39% 2.93% 3.12% 2.74% 1.99% 4.3% 1.73% 1.42%
2025/12/03 21.67% 10.27% 4.7% 2.89% 2.03% 3.58% 2.39% 5.37% 1.74% 1.52%
2025/12/04 20.84% 10.65% 4.86% 2.43% 2.07% 3.51% 2.37% 4.52% 1.67% 1.44%
2025/12/05 19.41% 10.83% 5.04% 2.34% 2.42% 3.35% 2.48% 5.16% 1.42% 1.61%
2025/12/06 20.63% 10.31% 4.25% 2.45% 2.63% 3.75% 2.81% 4.48% 0.94% 1.41%
2025/12/07 19.93% 10.09% 3.78% 2.35% 2.72% 3.12% 2.13% 3.5% 1.31% 1.51%
2025/12/08 19.91% 9.25% 4.03% 2.1% 2.87% 2.5% 2.12% 3.94% 1.42% 1.98%
2025/12/09 20.15% 9.82% 3.73% 1.8% 2.97% 3.29% 2.02% 4% 1.13% 1.71%
2025/12/10 20.32% 9.49% 4.12% 2.19% 2.77% 2.84% 2.42% 4.19% 1.84% 1.57%
2025/12/11 18.38% 9.52% 4.24% 2.11% 3.23% 3.11% 2.43% 3.89% 1.52% 1.65%
2025/12/12 19.35% 9.79% 3.83% 1.5% 3.43% 3.15% 2.31% 3.22% 1.33% 2.05%
2025/12/13 19.05% 11.5% 4.12% 1.62% 3.51% 3.27% 2.62% 2.87% 1.72% 1.3%
2025/12/14 17.83% 9.65% 3.94% 1.59% 3.57% 3.44% 2.3% 2.56% 1.46% 1.17%
2025/12/15 17.07% 8.99% 4.06% 1.47% 3.7% 2.99% 2.33% 3.25% 1.58% 1.74%
2025/12/16 17.09% 9.37% 4.27% 1.54% 4.74% 3.25% 2.02% 3.17% 1.15% 1.45%
2025/12/17 18.16% 7.95% 4.15% 2% 5.21% 2.83% 1.82% 3.39% 1.07% 1.88%
2025/12/18 18.83% 9.68% 3.95% 1.93% 4.44% 2.99% 2.24% 3.08% 1.35% 1.93%
2025/12/19 17.99% 9.74% 4.3% 2.11% 5.31% 2.73% 2.17% 3.01% 1.11% 1.82%
2025/12/20 17.85% 9.52% 3.9% 1.72% 4.66% 2.68% 2.66% 2.97% 1.2% 1.51%
2025/12/21 16.06% 8.94% 4.3% 2.23% 4.7% 2.95% 2.28% 2.78% 1.34% 1.42%
2025/12/22 18.83% 9.57% 3.4% 2.11% 4.07% 3.24% 2.45% 3.46% 1.38% 1.41%
2025/12/23 19.54% 8.66% 3.22% 2.94% 4.31% 2.99% 2.61% 3.26% 1.29% 1.56%
2025/12/24 17.97% 9.03% 2.71% 3.42% 3.91% 3.15% 2.37% 2.97% 1.26% 1.28%
2025/12/25 17.16% 8.78% 3.11% 3.39% 4.77% 2.54% 2.02% 2.04% 1.02% 1.21%
2025/12/26 17.9% 8.6% 2.85% 2.53% 5.03% 2.42% 2.21% 2.11% 1.44% 2.13%
2025/12/27 20.1% 9.71% 2.9% 2.42% 4.73% 2.75% 2.43% 2.4% 1.44% 1.57%
2025/12/28 19.59% 9.55% 3.24% 3.49% 4.24% 2.74% 2.18% 2.51% 1.52% 1.54%
2025/12/29 18.67% 9.51% 3.48% 2.69% 4.32% 2.42% 2.23% 2.34% 1.26% 1.69%
2025/12/30 17.58% 9.92% 4.39% 3.59% 4.31% 2.85% 1.9% 2.14% 1.12% 1.73%
2025/12/31 17.48% 9.86% 4.9% 4.65% 3.99% 2.48% 2.1% 1.81% 1.57% 1.33%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • autotrader.com
  • autonation.com
  • carmax.com
  • carfax.com
  • truecar.com
  • cars.com
  • echopark.com
  • drivetime.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana led December with a fluctuating spend share, peaking early at 21.67% and ending at 17.48%. Cargurus saw a mid-month spike, while Autotrader and Autonation showed late-month recoveries. Carmax and Carfax maintained steady shares.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for US Automotive Dealerships

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
2025/12/01 4694
2025/12/02 4604
2025/12/03 4978
2025/12/04 4847
2025/12/05 4969
2025/12/06 4888
2025/12/07 4804
2025/12/08 4616
2025/12/09 4721
2025/12/10 4866
2025/12/11 5005
2025/12/12 4756
2025/12/13 4733
2025/12/14 4800
2025/12/15 4846
2025/12/16 4848
2025/12/17 4563
2025/12/18 4830
2025/12/19 4805
2025/12/20 4815
2025/12/21 4751
2025/12/22 4854
2025/12/23 4872
2025/12/24 4877
2025/12/25 4934
2025/12/26 4729
2025/12/27 4643
2025/12/28 4809
2025/12/29 4711
2025/12/30 4662
2025/12/31 4671

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Advertisers fluctuated throughout December, peaking at 5,005 on the 11th. The month concluded with 4,671 advertisers, reflecting a dynamic landscape.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for US Automotive Dealerships

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
carmax.com 1.5%
autonation.com 0.71%
enterprisecarsales.com 0.18%
mazdausa.com 0.11%
edmunds.com 0.1%
carvana.com -0.41%
carfax.com -0.47%
cargurus.com -0.48%
autotrader.com -0.77%
cars.com -1.28%

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Carmax surged with a 1.50% click share increase, while Cars.com dropped by 1.28%. Autonation rose by 0.71%, contrasting Autotrader’s 0.77% decline.

Campaign Efficiency

US Automotive Dealerships Share of Impressions

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

Date carvana.com cargurus.com autotrader.com autonation.com carmax.com carfax.com cars.com truecar.com echopark.com drivetime.com
2025/12/01 20.58% 13.69% 5.92% 2.7% 3.2% 3.45% 5.85% 2.08% 1.52% 1.12%
2025/12/02 20.97% 13.85% 5.89% 2.61% 2.88% 3.34% 4.67% 2.01% 1.58% 0.84%
2025/12/03 22.32% 12.29% 5.67% 2.59% 1.86% 3.82% 5.12% 2.33% 1.5% 0.91%
2025/12/04 21.04% 12.89% 6.1% 2.51% 1.91% 3.8% 4.74% 2.51% 1.33% 0.8%
2025/12/05 20% 13.67% 6.39% 2.22% 2.26% 3.72% 5.42% 2.41% 1.29% 0.95%
2025/12/06 21.26% 12.81% 5.32% 2.23% 2.31% 4.03% 4.84% 2.59% 0.88% 0.86%
2025/12/07 20.78% 13.17% 5.09% 2.24% 2.42% 3.8% 4.21% 2.21% 1.25% 0.79%
2025/12/08 21.38% 12.62% 5.56% 2.08% 2.57% 3.02% 4.93% 2.26% 1.2% 1.06%
2025/12/09 21.4% 13.06% 5.4% 1.77% 2.6% 3.83% 4.8% 2.13% 1.08% 1.03%
2025/12/10 21% 12.3% 5.58% 1.95% 2.54% 3.38% 4.96% 2.56% 1.56% 0.91%
2025/12/11 19.51% 12.39% 5.79% 1.98% 3.05% 3.68% 4.87% 2.64% 1.34% 0.93%
2025/12/12 20.93% 13.06% 5.35% 1.57% 3.06% 3.86% 4.12% 2.62% 1.28% 1.15%
2025/12/13 20.23% 14.69% 5.7% 1.71% 3.03% 3.98% 3.93% 2.89% 1.56% 0.68%
2025/12/14 19.71% 13.06% 5.26% 1.77% 3.18% 4.13% 3.68% 2.61% 1.27% 0.66%
2025/12/15 18.6% 12.28% 5.45% 1.63% 3.5% 3.54% 4.34% 2.54% 1.35% 1.09%
2025/12/16 18.51% 12.55% 5.77% 1.54% 4.61% 3.85% 4.09% 2.16% 1.08% 0.93%
2025/12/17 19.41% 11.02% 5.79% 2.03% 4.89% 3.64% 4.45% 1.98% 1.01% 1.06%
2025/12/18 20.06% 12.97% 5.41% 1.93% 4.35% 3.5% 4.08% 2.46% 1.37% 1.28%
2025/12/19 19.47% 12.76% 5.79% 2.23% 4.96% 3.33% 4.05% 2.55% 1.12% 1.11%
2025/12/20 19.19% 12.56% 5.36% 1.94% 4.58% 3.28% 3.93% 2.76% 1.15% 0.88%
2025/12/21 17.66% 11.89% 5.85% 2.22% 4.65% 3.48% 3.75% 2.4% 1.37% 0.75%
2025/12/22 19.52% 12.26% 4.71% 2.05% 4.06% 3.83% 4.46% 2.62% 1.24% 0.86%
2025/12/23 20.45% 11.25% 4.33% 3.06% 4.35% 3.56% 4.17% 2.73% 1.13% 0.85%
2025/12/24 19.03% 11.93% 3.67% 3.38% 4.05% 3.82% 3.71% 2.45% 1.15% 0.73%
2025/12/25 18.7% 12.24% 4.24% 3.44% 4.72% 3.17% 2.78% 2.21% 1.04% 0.7%
2025/12/26 19.8% 12.1% 4.03% 2.6% 4.71% 3.03% 3.07% 2.45% 1.31% 1.18%
2025/12/27 21.36% 13.18% 4.12% 2.71% 4.64% 3.2% 3.12% 2.68% 1.29% 0.94%
2025/12/28 20.93% 12.86% 4.34% 3.33% 4.16% 3.36% 3.34% 2.28% 1.5% 0.96%
2025/12/29 20.47% 12.55% 4.83% 2.72% 4.31% 3.04% 3.26% 2.42% 1.24% 1.01%
2025/12/30 19.24% 12.96% 5.86% 3.87% 4.34% 3.51% 2.78% 2.02% 1.14% 0.98%
2025/12/31 18.86% 13.06% 6.77% 4.52% 4.05% 3.1% 2.52% 2.24% 1.42% 0.86%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • autotrader.com
  • autonation.com
  • carmax.com
  • carfax.com
  • cars.com
  • truecar.com
  • echopark.com
  • drivetime.com

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Carvana’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 22.32% on December 3rd, then declining to 18.86% by month’s end. Cargurus saw a dip mid-month but ended at 13.06%. Autotrader’s share rose from 5.92% to 6.77%. Autonation’s share increased from 2.7% to 4.52%. Carmax’s share varied, closing at 4.05%. Carfax’s share remained stable, ending at 3.1%. Cars.com saw a decline, finishing at 2.52%. Truecar’s share fluctuated, ending at 2.24%. Echopark’s share was steady, closing at 1.42%. Drivetime’s share decreased, ending at 0.86%.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Automotive Dealerships

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 US Automotive Dealerships - Last month
  1. 1
    Cheap Used Cars For Sale | Largest Online Inventory https://www.cargurus.com

    Best Prices From Local Dealers. Shop for Cheap Used Cars Today! Don't Miss Out. Quickly Filter by...

  2. 2
    Search Used Cars For Sale https://www.carmax.com

    Find A Used Car You'll Love — Use Express Pickup and get into your next set of wheels fast. See carmax.com for details. Find the...

  3. 3
    Used Cars for Sale https://www.cars.com

    Up to 50K New Cars Added Daily — Inspire Your Next Journey With the Perfect Car. Choose From 2M+ Listings and Hit the Road

  4. 4
    TrueCar® Official Site | Find New & Used Cars for Sale https://www.truecar.com

    See what other local buyers paid for their car & feel confident about the price you pay.

  5. 5
    View Volvo Certified Inventory https://www.volvocars.com

    Certified By Volvo — Have The Same Confidence In Your Car As You Would A Brand-New One With Certified By Volvo.

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In the competitive landscape of automotive PPC ads, CarGurus, CarMax, Cars.com, TrueCar, and Volvo shine. CarGurus emphasizes affordability and inventory size, while CarMax highlights convenience with express pickup. Cars.com boasts a vast selection, TrueCar offers pricing confidence, and Volvo assures quality with certified vehicles.

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