US Automotive Dealerships - PPC Market Share Analysis October 2026

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.

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AIO Frequency

How often a Google AI overview appears on search terms relevant to this category.

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 51.1998686137
48.8001313863
51%

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 39
61
39%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 5%
Transactional 40%
Navigational 4%
Seasonal 0%
Local 7%
Problem Solving 3%

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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.

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Share of Clicks - Last month
Share of Clicks - Last month
Domain Share of clicks
cargurus.com 22.38
carvana.com 13.32
autotrader.com 9.6
carmax.com 6.55
cars.com 4.52
carfax.com 4.1
kbb.com 2.36
autonation.com 1.16
bmwusa.com 0.75
toyota.com 0.71
others 34.55
  • cargurus.com - 22.38%
  • carvana.com - 13.32%
  • autotrader.com - 9.6%
  • carmax.com - 6.55%
  • cars.com - 4.52%
  • carfax.com - 4.1%
  • kbb.com - 2.36%
  • autonation.com - 1.16%
  • bmwusa.com - 0.75%
  • toyota.com - 0.71%
  • others - 34.55%

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Cargurus.com leads with 22.38% click share, followed by Carvana.com at 13.32%. Others collectively hold 34.55%, showcasing diverse competition.

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. 

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Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date carvana.com cargurus.com carfax.com autotrader.com carmax.com cars.com autonation.com ford.com toyota.com drivetime.com
2026/10/01 22.48% 11.6% 2.78% 3.16% 3.29% 3.67% 0.9% 0.96% 1.17% 0.98%
2026/10/02 23.17% 12.38% 2.1% 2.95% 3.01% 4.07% 0.87% 0.61% 1.02% 0.84%
2026/10/03 20.69% 10.27% 2.13% 2.35% 3.45% 3.89% 0.72% 0.78% 2.04% 0.8%
2026/10/04 19.66% 10.1% 2.13% 2.47% 3.26% 3.43% 0.81% 0.87% 1.61% 1.29%
2026/10/05 19.36% 11.59% 2.05% 2.7% 3.41% 4.21% 0.75% 0.76% 1.58% 1.29%
2026/10/06 18.95% 11.92% 2.46% 4.08% 4.05% 4.42% 0.85% 0.61% 0.98% 0.98%
2026/10/07 18.34% 13.15% 2.07% 4.48% 4.51% 4.16% 1.14% 0.75% 1.04% 0.73%
2026/10/08 18.7% 11.58% 2.12% 4.14% 4.3% 3.24% 1.15% 0.76% 1.53% 0.81%
2026/10/09 16.95% 12.5% 2.11% 5.1% 5.07% 3.76% 1.2% 0.69% 1.63% 1.26%
2026/10/10 16.33% 12.55% 2.31% 5.28% 4.57% 3.94% 1.37% 0.54% 0.92% 0.6%
2026/10/11 17.19% 13.6% 2.17% 5.74% 4.52% 4.04% 1.51% 0.36% 0.59% 0.91%
2026/10/12 17.39% 12.54% 2.2% 5.47% 4.68% 4.99% 1.21% 0.66% 0.62% 0.86%
2026/10/13 18.57% 11.46% 2.17% 4.83% 4.52% 4.39% 1.13% 0.66% 0.72% 0.97%
2026/10/14 19.18% 10.8% 1.9% 4.48% 4.49% 4.18% 1.05% 0.66% 1.01% 0.87%
2026/10/15 19.71% 10.44% 1.9% 4.5% 4.55% 3.66% 1.25% 0.94% 0.94% 0.82%
2026/10/16 19.46% 11.73% 1.95% 4.8% 4.48% 4.53% 1.15% 0.75% 0.74% 0.77%
2026/10/17 18.96% 12.6% 2.14% 4.51% 4.46% 5.45% 1.26% 0.51% 0.58% 0.57%
2026/10/18 18.55% 12.76% 1.99% 3.9% 4.39% 4.27% 1.17% 0.55% 0.53% 0.58%
2026/10/19 19.91% 10.96% 2.18% 4.75% 4.5% 4.81% 1.25% 0.63% 0.48% 0.81%
2026/10/20 17.69% 12.68% 1.98% 4.12% 4.31% 4.45% 1.7% 0.58% 0.8% 0.74%
2026/10/21 16.76% 10.9% 1.85% 4.35% 4.36% 2.99% 1.47% 0.87% 0.74% 1.09%
2026/10/22 17.27% 12.04% 1.85% 4.09% 4.6% 3.73% 1.26% 0.78% 0.84% 0.62%
2026/10/23 19.6% 11.86% 3.24% 3.84% 3.99% 2.91% 2.01% 0.65% 0.6% 0.48%
2026/10/24 19.61% 12.7% 3.03% 3.65% 4.71% 3.13% 1.72% 0.82% 0.77% 0.69%
2026/10/25 19.14% 11.52% 2.9% 3.32% 4.36% 2.35% 1.56% 0.91% 0.8% 0.92%
2026/10/26 19.52% 11.89% 3.61% 4.01% 4.37% 2.79% 1.48% 0.84% 0.76% 0.7%
2026/10/27 17.27% 11.31% 3.23% 4.95% 4.88% 1.74% 1.49% 0.94% 0.84% 0.66%
2026/10/28 18.52% 11.99% 2.92% 4.9% 4.89% 1.51% 1.48% 0.62% 0.84% 0.75%
2026/10/29 21.85% 10.78% 3.3% 4% 4.34% 1.66% 1.47% 0.87% 0.81% 0.82%
2026/10/30 21.82% 10.73% 3.63% 4.01% 4.76% 1.94% 1.8% 0.81% 0.64% 0.68%
2026/10/31 22.24% 10.57% 4.14% 3.61% 3.5% 3% 1.8% 0.81% 0.66% 0.52%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carfax.com
  • autotrader.com
  • carmax.com
  • cars.com
  • autonation.com
  • ford.com
  • toyota.com
  • drivetime.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana’s spend share fluctuated, peaking at 23.17% early October, then dipped mid-month, recovering to 22.24% by month’s end. Cargurus saw a steady decline, ending at 10.57%. Carfax’s share rose, finishing at 4.14%. Autotrader and Carmax experienced mid-month peaks, closing at 3.61% and 3.50%, respectively. Cars.com and Autonation showed varied trends, ending at 3.00% and 1.80%. Ford, Toyota, and Drivetime maintained lower shares, concluding at 0.81%, 0.66%, and 0.52%.

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. 

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Competitor Count - Last month
Competitor Count - Last month
Date Competitor Count
2026/10/01 5487
2026/10/02 6314
2026/10/03 5337
2026/10/04 5514
2026/10/05 5128
2026/10/06 4885
2026/10/07 4691
2026/10/08 5095
2026/10/09 4969
2026/10/10 4588
2026/10/11 4578
2026/10/12 4704
2026/10/13 5131
2026/10/14 5298
2026/10/15 5203
2026/10/16 5329
2026/10/17 5393
2026/10/18 5454
2026/10/19 5648
2026/10/20 5516
2026/10/21 5511
2026/10/22 5486
2026/10/23 5254
2026/10/24 5168
2026/10/25 5369
2026/10/26 5472
2026/10/27 5872
2026/10/28 5883
2026/10/29 5530
2026/10/30 5621
2026/10/31 5272

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October saw fluctuating advertiser numbers, starting at 5,487 and peaking at 6,314. Mid-month, numbers dipped to 4,578 before recovering to 5,621, ending at 5,272.

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.

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Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Market Loss & Market Gains - Last month
Name Market Trend
carfax.com 1.52%
carvana.com 0.98%
autonation.com 0.51%
truecar.com 0.36%
carbravo.com 0.21%
autotrader.com -0.33%
autozone.com -0.44%
cars.com -1.46%
kbb.com -1.53%
cargurus.com -2.69%

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Carfax.com surged with a 1.52% click share increase, while CarGurus.com dropped by 2.69%. Carvana.com and AutoNation.com also saw positive gains, contrasting declines from KBB.com and Cars.com.

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.

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Date carvana.com cargurus.com carfax.com autotrader.com carmax.com cars.com autonation.com truecar.com toyota.com autozone.com
2026/10/01 21.79% 14.91% 3.34% 4.64% 3.81% 4.29% 1% 1.11% 0.78% 0.45%
2026/10/02 21.86% 14.79% 2.49% 4.4% 3.59% 4.58% 0.94% 0.69% 0.71% 0.42%
2026/10/03 22.3% 13.51% 2.37% 3.78% 4.32% 4.53% 0.75% 0.97% 1.34% 1.25%
2026/10/04 21.26% 13.4% 2.41% 3.94% 3.87% 4% 0.82% 0.66% 1.07% 2.88%
2026/10/05 20.95% 14.92% 2.44% 4.08% 4.1% 4.51% 0.77% 0.67% 1.18% 1.68%
2026/10/06 18.76% 14.4% 2.91% 5.95% 5.28% 5.21% 0.86% 0.78% 0.66% 2.85%
2026/10/07 19.01% 15.55% 2.6% 6.32% 5.87% 4.83% 1.25% 0.79% 0.67% 1.7%
2026/10/08 19.48% 14.06% 2.46% 6.01% 5.37% 4.03% 1.21% 0.88% 0.98% 1.52%
2026/10/09 18.38% 14.57% 2.56% 6.85% 5.83% 4.28% 1.25% 0.72% 0.92% 1.57%
2026/10/10 17.69% 14.18% 2.79% 6.93% 5.32% 4.43% 1.56% 0.67% 0.61% 1.56%
2026/10/11 17.74% 15.06% 2.59% 7.52% 5.7% 3.95% 1.45% 0.52% 0.41% 2.16%
2026/10/12 18.65% 14.42% 2.75% 7.22% 5.86% 4.88% 1.32% 0.87% 0.44% 0.76%
2026/10/13 19.84% 14.01% 2.6% 6.35% 5.59% 4.52% 1.24% 0.92% 0.45% 2.15%
2026/10/14 20.42% 12.96% 2.5% 6.21% 5.62% 4.39% 1.13% 0.96% 0.65% 2.62%
2026/10/15 21.51% 13.02% 2.56% 6.73% 6.13% 4.43% 1.39% 0.72% 0.57% 0.98%
2026/10/16 20.19% 13.65% 2.5% 6.21% 5.75% 4.92% 1.26% 0.91% 0.45% 0.96%
2026/10/17 19.7% 14.13% 2.59% 6.1% 5.69% 5.28% 1.28% 0.66% 0.37% 0.94%
2026/10/18 18.71% 14.79% 2.56% 4.97% 5.66% 4.55% 1.25% 0.75% 0.34% 0.62%
2026/10/19 19.59% 12.15% 2.61% 6.06% 5.45% 4.45% 1.24% 0.86% 0.32% 0.53%
2026/10/20 17.85% 14.23% 2.43% 5.65% 5.44% 4.43% 1.54% 0.95% 0.47% 0.56%
2026/10/21 17.43% 12.58% 2.46% 5.66% 5.7% 3.13% 1.47% 1.07% 0.49% 0.56%
2026/10/22 17.15% 13.43% 2.38% 5.54% 5.56% 3.53% 1.26% 0.98% 0.5% 0.18%
2026/10/23 18.76% 12.63% 3.83% 5.17% 4.83% 3.04% 1.84% 1.42% 0.39% 0.15%
2026/10/24 19.08% 13.91% 3.64% 4.92% 5.54% 3.23% 1.64% 1.47% 0.56% 0.13%
2026/10/25 19.45% 13.41% 3.64% 4.57% 5.31% 2.55% 1.49% 1.38% 0.64% 0.41%
2026/10/26 19.01% 13.43% 4.28% 5.32% 5.18% 2.83% 1.48% 1.48% 0.55% 0.41%
2026/10/27 17.4% 12.42% 3.86% 6.35% 5.57% 1.78% 1.46% 1.33% 0.59% 0.41%
2026/10/28 18.31% 12.92% 3.52% 6.45% 5.63% 1.42% 1.5% 1.18% 0.54% 0.61%
2026/10/29 21.63% 12.4% 4.4% 5.25% 5.42% 1.86% 1.45% 1.35% 0.61% 0.59%
2026/10/30 21.77% 12.41% 4.57% 5.47% 5.64% 2.21% 1.82% 1.25% 0.46% 0.57%
2026/10/31 22.34% 11.89% 5.3% 5.01% 4.15% 3.3% 1.98% 1.18% 0.42% 0.02%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carfax.com
  • autotrader.com
  • carmax.com
  • cars.com
  • autonation.com
  • truecar.com
  • toyota.com
  • autozone.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 22.34% on October 31. CarGurus saw a decline, ending at 11.89%. Carfax rose steadily, reaching 5.3%. AutoTrader and CarMax showed mixed trends, while Cars.com and AutoNation experienced declines. TrueCar and Toyota remained stable, with slight variations. AutoZone’s share decreased significantly, closing at 0.02%.

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.

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Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Automotive Dealerships - Last month
  1. 1
    New & Used Cars For Sale - Autotrader® | Shop, Buy, Sell https://www.autotrader.com

    Shop The Largest Selection Of New & Used Cars. Your Next Ride Is On Autotrader®.

  2. 2
    AutoZone Official Site | Shop In-Store or Online Now https://www.autozone.com

    AutoZone has everything you need to get the job done.

  3. 3
    CarGurus: Shop Used & New - Search Cars on CarGurus https://www.cargurus.com

    See cars for sale near you. Compare deals all in one place.

  4. 4
    CarMax Has Upfront Pricing - CarMax lets you buy your way https://www.carmax.com

    Wanna find your ride? Buy online or in store. CarMax gives you the freedom to choose.

  5. 5
    Search Used Cars For Sale - Buy, Sell, or Trade-in Online https://www.carvana.com

    Find The Right Used Car For You. Search By Price, Make, Model, Mileage And More!

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In the competitive landscape of automotive PPC ads, Autotrader leads with a vast selection of cars, while AutoZone emphasizes comprehensive auto solutions. CarGurus offers deal comparisons, CarMax highlights flexible purchasing, and Carvana focuses on personalized car searches. Each ad uniquely appeals to diverse consumer needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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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.

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