US Automotive Dealerships - PPC Market Share Analysis January 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 16.8832323834
83.1167676166
16%

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 13%
Transactional 40%
Navigational 1%
Seasonal 0%
Local 8%
Problem Solving 16%

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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 19.24
carvana.com 13.33
autotrader.com 9.09
carmax.com 7.48
carfax.com 5.31
cars.com 4.92
autonation.com 1.86
truecar.com 1.43
bmwusa.com 1.23
echopark.com 0.94
others 35.17
  • cargurus.com - 19.24%
  • carvana.com - 13.33%
  • autotrader.com - 9.09%
  • carmax.com - 7.48%
  • carfax.com - 5.31%
  • cars.com - 4.92%
  • autonation.com - 1.86%
  • truecar.com - 1.43%
  • bmwusa.com - 1.23%
  • echopark.com - 0.94%
  • others - 35.17%

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In the automotive PPC landscape, ‘others’ dominate with 35.17% click share. Cargurus.com leads individual advertisers at 19.24%, followed by Carvana.com at 13.33%.

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 carmax.com cargurus.com carfax.com cars.com autotrader.com autonation.com drivetime.com truecar.com echopark.com
2026/01/01 18.04% 5.42% 11.02% 2.64% 2.23% 4.31% 3.58% 1.71% 2.31% 1.24%
2026/01/02 17.85% 5.56% 11.1% 2.88% 2.84% 3.7% 2% 2.52% 2.37% 0.99%
2026/01/03 18.71% 5.54% 10.74% 3.16% 3.62% 3.97% 2.18% 1.65% 2.43% 1.09%
2026/01/04 17.45% 5.25% 9.72% 3.3% 3.33% 4.27% 2.41% 1.71% 2.44% 1.24%
2026/01/05 18.28% 5.58% 8.67% 2.97% 3.55% 4.13% 1.93% 1.81% 2.79% 1.38%
2026/01/06 16.47% 4.41% 9.42% 2.77% 1.97% 4.1% 3.66% 1.6% 1.84% 1.04%
2026/01/07 17.18% 5.6% 10.42% 2.63% 3.53% 3.66% 2.91% 1.7% 2.07% 0.98%
2026/01/08 16.74% 7.01% 9.37% 2.48% 3.81% 3.49% 2.63% 1.82% 1.95% 1.01%
2026/01/09 18.94% 5.67% 8.02% 2.59% 3.81% 3.53% 2.73% 2.42% 2.24% 1.89%
2026/01/10 19.57% 4.85% 8.28% 3.52% 3.82% 3.63% 3.55% 1.85% 2.59% 1.98%
2026/01/11 18.59% 5.55% 7.99% 3.24% 4.46% 4.16% 3.04% 1.87% 2.27% 1.34%
2026/01/12 17.8% 4.9% 10.08% 2.78% 3.68% 4.27% 2.96% 1.65% 2.09% 1.54%
2026/01/13 17.53% 5.55% 8.7% 2.86% 3.78% 4.04% 3.07% 2.14% 2.01% 1.13%
2026/01/14 18.06% 6.49% 9.75% 2.29% 3.39% 3.31% 2.76% 2.13% 1.75% 1.11%
2026/01/15 18.52% 5.89% 10.23% 3.23% 3.2% 4.37% 3.03% 1.8% 2.27% 0.86%
2026/01/16 18.08% 5.41% 7.66% 2.47% 3.64% 3.38% 2.62% 2.31% 2.14% 1.8%
2026/01/17 17.17% 6.35% 11.53% 3.89% 3.44% 3.07% 1.26% 1.82% 1.82% 1.16%
2026/01/18 17.68% 6.01% 10.84% 3.38% 3.42% 3.85% 1.63% 1.82% 1.74% 1.26%
2026/01/19 18.81% 6.19% 9.35% 3.46% 4.42% 3.98% 1.79% 1.5% 1.81% 1.51%
2026/01/20 17.15% 5.43% 8.52% 2.8% 3.7% 3.95% 3.01% 2.1% 1.96% 1.1%
2026/01/21 16.93% 6.79% 10.9% 4.17% 3.75% 3.77% 1.78% 1.33% 1.37% 1.39%
2026/01/22 17.26% 6.2% 10.54% 4.28% 3.03% 3.37% 1.7% 1.24% 1.27% 1.32%
2026/01/23 16.07% 6.53% 10.23% 4.29% 2.99% 3.14% 1.6% 1.66% 1.44% 1.3%
2026/01/24 17.41% 6.55% 10.64% 4.06% 3.06% 3.18% 2.69% 1.66% 1.55% 1.41%
2026/01/25 17.16% 6.08% 10.39% 3.95% 2.92% 3.32% 1.76% 1.35% 1.28% 1.18%
2026/01/26 18.02% 7.64% 9.71% 4.33% 2.87% 3.61% 1.93% 1.39% 1.11% 1.01%
2026/01/27 18.68% 7.29% 9.35% 4.89% 3.02% 3.32% 1.4% 1.44% 1.08% 1.13%
2026/01/28 19.08% 8.25% 8.67% 5.69% 4.04% 3.23% 1.34% 0.98% 0.96% 0.64%
2026/01/29 18.21% 8.64% 9.79% 5.46% 4.05% 3.41% 1.73% 1.28% 0.72% 0.86%
2026/01/30 18.94% 8.7% 8.88% 5.83% 3.91% 3.1% 1.67% 1.45% 1.18% 1.63%
2026/01/31 17.83% 9.62% 7.21% 5.18% 4.06% 2.9% 2.1% 1.87% 1.56% 1.28%
  • carvana.com
  • carmax.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carfax.com
  • cars.com
  • autotrader.com
  • autonation.com
  • drivetime.com
  • truecar.com
  • echopark.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana led January with fluctuating spend, peaking at 19.57%. Carmax surged, ending at 9.62%. Cargurus saw a decline, closing at 7.21%. Carfax and Cars.com showed steady growth. Autotrader and Autonation experienced mixed trends. Drivetime, Truecar, and Echopark had minor variations.

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
2026/01/01 4703
2026/01/02 4684
2026/01/03 4604
2026/01/04 4684
2026/01/05 4735
2026/01/06 4662
2026/01/07 4473
2026/01/08 4228
2026/01/09 4263
2026/01/10 4628
2026/01/11 4541
2026/01/12 4715
2026/01/13 4530
2026/01/14 4537
2026/01/15 4441
2026/01/16 4263
2026/01/17 4514
2026/01/18 4622
2026/01/19 4662
2026/01/20 4530
2026/01/21 4712
2026/01/22 4489
2026/01/23 4739
2026/01/24 4764
2026/01/25 4912
2026/01/26 5152
2026/01/27 4735
2026/01/28 4562
2026/01/29 4562
2026/01/30 4452
2026/01/31 4380

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Advertisers fluctuated throughout January, peaking at 5,152 on the 26th. The month concluded with a decline, ending at 4,380.

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 2.33%
carmax.com 1.79%
ford.com 0.11%
volvocars.com 0.09%
aviscarsales.com 0.05%
carvana.com -0.25%
cargurus.com -0.53%
truecar.com -0.59%
autonation.com -0.68%
autotrader.com -0.74%

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Carfax.com and Carmax.com saw significant click share increases, while Autotrader.com and Autonation.com experienced notable declines.

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 carmax.com cargurus.com carfax.com cars.com autotrader.com autonation.com truecar.com echopark.com drivetime.com
2026/01/01 19.71% 4.93% 14.27% 3.26% 2.87% 5.86% 3.42% 2.44% 1.2% 1.09%
2026/01/02 19.71% 5.22% 14.44% 3.54% 3.94% 5.19% 2.13% 2.63% 0.97% 1.59%
2026/01/03 20.1% 5.26% 14.44% 3.6% 4.55% 5.34% 2.08% 2.85% 1.02% 1.07%
2026/01/04 18.6% 5.22% 13.25% 3.91% 4.21% 5.6% 2.19% 2.7% 1.11% 0.98%
2026/01/05 20.35% 5.35% 11.82% 3.41% 4.31% 5.54% 1.97% 2.93% 1.31% 1.08%
2026/01/06 19.26% 4.37% 12.96% 3.5% 2.77% 5.77% 3.83% 2.05% 1.13% 0.97%
2026/01/07 18.7% 5.12% 13.63% 3.15% 4.4% 5.1% 3.02% 2.41% 1.05% 0.99%
2026/01/08 18.51% 6.22% 13.42% 3.18% 5.15% 5.08% 2.26% 2.45% 0.98% 1.21%
2026/01/09 20.15% 5.08% 10.96% 2.9% 4.88% 4.84% 2.57% 2.56% 1.55% 1.46%
2026/01/10 20.67% 4.68% 10.84% 3.81% 4.66% 4.83% 3.17% 2.56% 1.52% 1.15%
2026/01/11 19.93% 5.19% 10.62% 3.65% 5% 5.18% 2.89% 2.42% 1.33% 1.14%
2026/01/12 19.23% 4.56% 12.66% 3.2% 4.52% 5.3% 2.8% 2.08% 1.45% 1.16%
2026/01/13 19.86% 5.24% 11.75% 3.31% 4.8% 5.24% 2.64% 2.18% 1.08% 1.32%
2026/01/14 20.41% 5.69% 12.95% 3.01% 4.79% 4.66% 2.47% 2% 1% 1.32%
2026/01/15 19.18% 5.13% 12.29% 3.73% 4.31% 5.57% 2.71% 2.37% 0.79% 1.08%
2026/01/16 20.15% 5.08% 10.96% 2.9% 4.88% 4.84% 2.57% 2.56% 1.55% 1.46%
2026/01/17 18.81% 5.61% 14.97% 5.05% 4.7% 4.48% 1.22% 1.93% 1.09% 1.1%
2026/01/18 19.04% 5.35% 14.15% 4.36% 4.51% 5.22% 1.56% 1.91% 1.25% 1.09%
2026/01/19 20.01% 5.22% 12.36% 4.34% 5.55% 5.2% 1.56% 2.12% 1.33% 0.92%
2026/01/20 19.86% 5.24% 11.75% 3.31% 4.8% 5.24% 2.64% 2.18% 1.08% 1.32%
2026/01/21 18.14% 5.99% 13.49% 5.35% 4.76% 5.23% 1.58% 1.52% 1.29% 0.75%
2026/01/22 19.06% 5.66% 13.55% 5.17% 4.2% 4.71% 1.65% 1.44% 1.25% 0.75%
2026/01/23 17.57% 5.68% 13.11% 5.12% 4.06% 4.45% 1.65% 1.76% 1.26% 1.15%
2026/01/24 19.26% 5.84% 13.45% 4.75% 4.23% 4.4% 2.07% 1.69% 1.39% 0.99%
2026/01/25 18.63% 5.39% 13.06% 4.78% 3.98% 4.57% 1.65% 1.63% 1.17% 0.81%
2026/01/26 19.94% 6.41% 12.57% 5.31% 3.97% 5.02% 1.8% 1.43% 0.93% 0.9%
2026/01/27 20.38% 6.37% 12.16% 5.82% 4.37% 4.67% 1.51% 1.37% 0.96% 0.92%
2026/01/28 20.57% 7.66% 11.48% 6.58% 5.22% 4.6% 1.52% 1.29% 0.64% 0.6%
2026/01/29 19.53% 8.29% 12.31% 6.21% 5.47% 4.61% 1.71% 0.96% 0.96% 0.79%
2026/01/30 19.87% 8.61% 10.95% 6.9% 5.27% 4.47% 1.59% 1.61% 1.33% 0.92%
2026/01/31 19.37% 9.2% 8.81% 6.08% 5.41% 4.25% 2.06% 1.94% 1.18% 1.06%
  • carvana.com
  • carmax.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carfax.com
  • cars.com
  • autotrader.com
  • autonation.com
  • truecar.com
  • echopark.com
  • drivetime.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 20.67% mid-month. Carmax surged from 4.93% to 9.2%, while Cargurus declined to 8.81%. Carfax and Cars.com saw steady growth. Autotrader and Autonation remained stable. Truecar, Echopark, and Drivetime showed minor variations.

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
    CarGurus https://www.cargurus.com

    Car prices with CarGurus — Stay ahead of the market with real-time insights on vehicle prices to buy or sell smartly. Explore historical vehicle price trends and see which cars have the most price movement.

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

    Cars For Every Budget — Use Express Pickup and get into your next set of wheels fast. See carmax.com for details. Find the...

  3. 3
    Cars.com https://www.cars.com

    Used Cars for Sale — Inspire Your Next Journey With the Perfect Car. Choose From 2M+ Listings and Hit the Road

  4. 4
    Search Used Cars For Sale https://www.carvana.com

    Buy, Sell, or Trade-in Online — Find The Right Used Car For You. Search By Price, Make, Model, Mileage And More! Shop...

  5. 5
    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.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of automotive PPC ads, CarGurus leads with real-time vehicle price insights, empowering smart buying and selling. CarMax and Carvana emphasize convenience with express services and online transactions. Cars.com inspires journeys with vast listings, while TrueCar builds confidence through transparent pricing.

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