US Automotive Dealerships - PPC Market Share Analysis April 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.

AIO Frequency

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

Frequency Percentage
Frequency 11.7057058078
88.2942941922
11%

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 47
53
47%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 12%
Transactional 43%
Navigational 1%
Seasonal 0%
Local 10%
Problem Solving 9%

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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 20.01
carvana.com 11.29
autotrader.com 10.26
carmax.com 9.78
carfax.com 6.85
cars.com 4.62
autonation.com 2.09
bmwusa.com 1.82
drivetime.com 1.12
enterprisecarsales.com 0.92
others 31.24
  • cargurus.com - 20.01%
  • carvana.com - 11.29%
  • autotrader.com - 10.26%
  • carmax.com - 9.78%
  • carfax.com - 6.85%
  • cars.com - 4.62%
  • autonation.com - 2.09%
  • bmwusa.com - 1.82%
  • drivetime.com - 1.12%
  • enterprisecarsales.com - 0.92%
  • others - 31.24%

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Cargurus.com leads with 20.01% click share, followed by Carvana.com at 11.29%. Others collectively hold 31.24%, 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. 

Share of Spend - Last Month
Share of Spend - Last Month
Date carvana.com cargurus.com carmax.com carfax.com autotrader.com cars.com autonation.com drivetime.com echopark.com bmwusa.com
2026/04/01 17.64% 8.43% 10.72% 4.91% 3.27% 3.38% 2.28% 2.2% 1.09% 1.39%
2026/04/02 18.14% 9.64% 9.22% 4.34% 3.79% 3.16% 1.94% 2.47% 1.72% 1.27%
2026/04/03 18.21% 8.74% 9.83% 3.88% 3.68% 2.93% 2.37% 2.88% 1.48% 1.34%
2026/04/04 19.03% 8.56% 9.4% 4.61% 3.7% 2.57% 2.19% 2.37% 1.27% 1.12%
2026/04/05 19.65% 8.1% 9.19% 4.28% 3.75% 2.94% 2.46% 2.69% 1.67% 1.13%
2026/04/06 18.64% 9.28% 8.53% 4.16% 4.12% 4.09% 2.4% 2.41% 0.98% 1.02%
2026/04/07 18.34% 10.14% 8.59% 3.66% 4.07% 2.99% 3% 2.63% 1.13% 1.16%
2026/04/08 17.42% 9.89% 8.17% 4.45% 3.97% 3.25% 2.74% 2.33% 1.19% 1.27%
2026/04/09 16.99% 11.33% 7.87% 4.76% 4.89% 3.79% 2.58% 1.87% 0.95% 1.28%
2026/04/10 19.22% 10.66% 8.13% 4.31% 4.32% 3.14% 2.45% 2.22% 0.85% 1.25%
2026/04/11 16.61% 8.99% 8.35% 3.46% 3.68% 2.28% 2.28% 2.37% 1.47% 1.22%
2026/04/12 19.12% 9.66% 7.33% 3.29% 3.64% 2.63% 2.9% 2.27% 1.36% 1.32%
2026/04/13 18.32% 10.7% 7.25% 3.63% 3.74% 2.87% 3.08% 2.35% 1.37% 1.03%
2026/04/14 17.35% 9.01% 8.73% 3.63% 4.29% 3.06% 2.28% 2.39% 0.91% 1.37%
2026/04/15 15.53% 8.74% 7.57% 5.82% 3.96% 3.02% 3.05% 2.11% 1.29% 1.34%
2026/04/16 14.41% 9.07% 7.57% 5.91% 3.83% 3.03% 3.1% 2.65% 0.67% 1.23%
2026/04/17 15.76% 6.71% 7.86% 5.96% 3.8% 3.34% 3.03% 2.25% 1.27% 1.22%
2026/04/18 16.68% 5.82% 7.73% 5.83% 4.44% 3.38% 3.21% 2.26% 1.35% 1.08%
2026/04/19 17.47% 7.74% 7.58% 3.93% 3.55% 3.6% 2.3% 2.65% 1.13% 1.31%
2026/04/20 15.44% 9.39% 6.82% 3.66% 4.05% 4.18% 2.97% 1.88% 1.06% 1.39%
2026/04/21 13.9% 10.38% 6.76% 5.21% 3.73% 4.44% 2.73% 1.49% 1.01% 1.21%
2026/04/22 15.2% 9.23% 7.18% 5.08% 4.34% 4.99% 1.78% 3.75% 0.77% 1.26%
2026/04/23 15.77% 6.9% 7.26% 4.3% 3.84% 4.34% 2.67% 2.24% 0.86% 1.17%
2026/04/24 17.28% 8.44% 8.05% 4.06% 3.98% 3.95% 2.01% 2.86% 0.76% 1.36%
2026/04/25 16.8% 9.13% 7.86% 3.93% 3.74% 3.15% 1.79% 2.25% 1.3% 1.51%
2026/04/26 16.78% 10.45% 7.37% 5.38% 4.22% 3.93% 2.73% 2.3% 0.8% 1.25%
2026/04/27 15.97% 9.49% 8.11% 5.27% 4.36% 4.13% 1.69% 1.69% 1% 1.34%
2026/04/28 16.47% 8.46% 8.72% 3.13% 4.16% 4.2% 1.92% 2.52% 0.78% 1.72%
2026/04/29 16.29% 7.4% 7.13% 4.6% 4.35% 4.38% 2.08% 2.63% 1.01% 0.91%
2026/04/30 14.68% 9.08% 5.21% 4.95% 4.84% 4.07% 2.39% 1.88% 1.14% 0.83%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carmax.com
  • carfax.com
  • autotrader.com
  • cars.com
  • autonation.com
  • drivetime.com
  • echopark.com
  • bmwusa.com

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Carvana’s PPC spend share fluctuated, peaking at 19.65% mid-month, then declining to 14.68%. CarGurus saw a rise, reaching 11.33% before settling at 9.08%. CarMax’s share decreased, ending at 5.21%. Carfax and AutoTrader showed minor variations, while Cars.com and AutoNation experienced slight increases. DriveTime and EchoPark remained stable, with BMWUSA’s share dropping to 0.83% by month’s end.

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
2026/04/01 3765
2026/04/02 3884
2026/04/03 3910
2026/04/04 3932
2026/04/05 3858
2026/04/06 4082
2026/04/07 3987
2026/04/08 3943
2026/04/09 3926
2026/04/10 3987
2026/04/11 3669
2026/04/12 3919
2026/04/13 4142
2026/04/14 3872
2026/04/15 3881
2026/04/16 3612
2026/04/17 3818
2026/04/18 3970
2026/04/19 3868
2026/04/20 4018
2026/04/21 4004
2026/04/22 3967
2026/04/23 4026
2026/04/24 3877
2026/04/25 3809
2026/04/26 3953
2026/04/27 4014
2026/04/28 3774
2026/04/29 3838
2026/04/30 3658

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

April saw fluctuating advertiser numbers, peaking at 4,142 on April 13. The month concluded with a decrease to 3,658, indicating a dynamic advertising 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
carfax.com 0.82%
autotrader.com 0.76%
cars.com 0.73%
carbravo.com 0.35%
enterprisecarsales.com 0.33%
echopark.com -0.12%
hertzcarsales.com -0.24%
cargurus.com -0.41%
carmax.com -0.79%
carvana.com -1.6%

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Carfax.com leads with a 0.82% click share rise, while Carvana.com drops by 1.6%. Autotrader.com and Cars.com also see positive gains, contrasting Carmax.com’s 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 carfax.com cars.com carmax.com autonation.com truecar.com drivetime.com echopark.com
2026/04/01 17.64% 11.78% 5% 5.89% 5.19% 11.04% 2.63% 1.03% 1.39% 1.1%
2026/04/02 19% 12.55% 5.66% 5.26% 4.89% 9.55% 2.12% 0.96% 1.56% 1.57%
2026/04/03 18.74% 11.83% 5.68% 5.07% 4.77% 9.89% 2.59% 1.1% 1.71% 1.33%
2026/04/04 19.47% 11.73% 5.71% 5.6% 4.21% 9.36% 2.52% 1.05% 1.41% 1.28%
2026/04/05 20.27% 11.41% 5.6% 5.43% 4.29% 9.66% 2.7% 0.89% 1.71% 1.62%
2026/04/06 18.76% 11.51% 5.92% 5.33% 5.38% 9.1% 2.68% 0.86% 1.6% 0.91%
2026/04/07 18.21% 12.64% 5.88% 4.6% 4.52% 8.94% 3.17% 1.04% 1.62% 1.26%
2026/04/08 17.56% 12.72% 5.86% 5.44% 4.79% 8.43% 3.04% 0.9% 1.47% 1.14%
2026/04/09 16.66% 14.18% 7.04% 5.98% 4.98% 8.48% 2.81% 1.07% 1.16% 1.04%
2026/04/10 18.3% 13.1% 6.2% 4.87% 4.22% 8.5% 2.79% 0.98% 1.42% 0.87%
2026/04/11 16.88% 12.97% 6.03% 4.34% 4.19% 8.9% 2.58% 1.37% 1.48% 1.49%
2026/04/12 18.55% 12.69% 5.58% 4.05% 4% 7.52% 3.24% 0.95% 1.49% 1.34%
2026/04/13 17.74% 13.26% 5.46% 4.43% 4.36% 7.31% 3.33% 1.18% 1.59% 1.37%
2026/04/14 17.16% 12.46% 6.51% 4.71% 4.89% 8.71% 2.49% 1.33% 1.37% 0.96%
2026/04/15 15.52% 11.46% 5.86% 7.63% 4.5% 8.09% 3.5% 0.95% 1.28% 1.25%
2026/04/16 15.07% 11.86% 5.24% 7.44% 4.55% 7.63% 3.77% 1.44% 1.58% 0.81%
2026/04/17 15.97% 9.81% 5.61% 7.4% 5.27% 8.34% 3.33% 1.49% 1.31% 1.17%
2026/04/18 16.39% 8.9% 6.34% 7.83% 4.81% 7.96% 3.49% 1.2% 1.38% 1.28%
2026/04/19 17.22% 10.95% 5.43% 5.36% 5.15% 7.81% 2.65% 1.53% 1.56% 1.21%
2026/04/20 14.79% 12.72% 6.39% 4.53% 6.28% 7.18% 3% 1.23% 1.08% 1.05%
2026/04/21 13.61% 13.39% 5.58% 6.4% 6.26% 7.14% 2.9% 1.4% 0.99% 0.95%
2026/04/22 14.8% 12.14% 6.26% 6.63% 6.55% 7.65% 2.14% 0.94% 2.37% 0.8%
2026/04/23 15.76% 9.94% 5.79% 5.86% 6.34% 7.6% 2.82% 1.16% 1.38% 0.94%
2026/04/24 18.15% 11.25% 5.87% 5.44% 5.43% 8.13% 2.57% 1.04% 1.68% 0.71%
2026/04/25 16.12% 12.58% 5.67% 5.47% 5% 8.19% 2.21% 1.1% 1.38% 1.27%
2026/04/26 17.17% 13.28% 6% 6.8% 5.71% 7.82% 2.91% 0.99% 1.4% 0.79%
2026/04/27 15.95% 12.53% 6.38% 6.84% 5.95% 8.31% 1.99% 1.04% 1.03% 0.95%
2026/04/28 16.03% 12.47% 6.63% 4.23% 6.81% 8.77% 2.17% 0.89% 1.45% 0.99%
2026/04/29 17.16% 10.71% 6.85% 6.18% 6.6% 6.89% 2.4% 0.98% 1.43% 1.02%
2026/04/30 15.65% 12.51% 7.41% 6.32% 6.09% 5.3% 2.41% 1.55% 1.17% 1.02%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • autotrader.com
  • carfax.com
  • cars.com
  • carmax.com
  • autonation.com
  • truecar.com
  • drivetime.com
  • echopark.com

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Carvana’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 20.27% on April 5th, then declining to 15.65% by month’s end. Cargurus saw a rise mid-month, reaching 14.18% on April 9th, but ended at 12.51%. Autotrader’s share steadily increased, finishing at 7.41%. Carfax experienced volatility, peaking at 7.83% on April 18th, closing at 6.32%. Cars.com showed growth, ending at 6.09%. Carmax’s share dropped significantly, closing at 5.3%. Autonation’s share remained low, ending at 2.41%. Truecar and Drivetime had minor fluctuations, closing at 1.55% and 1.17%, respectively. Echopark’s share remained stable, ending at 1.02%.

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.

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Automotive Dealerships - Last month
  1. 1
    BMW: Drive the Icon | Excellence in Motion https://www.bmwusa.com

    Press start on a future filled with elegance and ease in a BMW. Test drive a BMW today and see for yourself why there's nothing quite like it.

  2. 2
    Used Cars for Sale Near Me - CarGurus https://www.cargurus.com

    Search used car listings to find the best deals. Use the best tools & resources to help with your purchase. We analyze millions of used cars daily.

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

    Cars.com — Cars.com - Your One-Stop-Shop for Buying and Selling Cars. 2M+ Vehicles Available!

  4. 4
    Search Used Cars For Sale https://www.carvana.com › used-cars

    Buy, Sell, or Trade-in Online — Shop Thousands Of Carvana® Certified Vehicles With Delivery To Your Door. Find The Right Used...

  5. 5
    Chapman Arizona | Shop Used Car Inventory Online https://www.chapmanaz.com

    Used Cars for sale in Phoenix, AZ - Chapman Used Vehicle Inventory. Explore our inventory and find your perfect pre-owned vehicle today.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of automotive PPC, BMW stands out with its promise of elegance and excellence, inviting drivers to experience the iconic brand firsthand. Meanwhile, CarGurus, Cars.com, Carvana, and Chapman Arizona focus on the convenience and variety of used car shopping, each offering unique tools and vast inventories to simplify the buying process.

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