US Automotive Online Car Retailers - PPC Market Share Analysis August 2026

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

Online Car Retailers – US

Google AI Overview visibility for Automotive Online Car Retailers 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 44.0469349299
55.9530650701
44%

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 46
54
46%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 17%
Transactional 33%
Navigational 14%
Seasonal 0%
Local 5%
Problem Solving 5%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 US Automotive Online Car Retailers 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
carvana.com 54.4
kbb.com 13.07
enterprise.com 9.62
cars.com 4.06
cargurus.com 3.09
autotrader.com 1.81
carmax.com 1.62
edmunds.com 1.22
carfax.com 1.04
truecar.com 0.71
others 9.36
  • carvana.com - 54.4%
  • kbb.com - 13.07%
  • enterprise.com - 9.62%
  • cars.com - 4.06%
  • cargurus.com - 3.09%
  • autotrader.com - 1.81%
  • carmax.com - 1.62%
  • edmunds.com - 1.22%
  • carfax.com - 1.04%
  • truecar.com - 0.71%
  • others - 9.36%

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Carvana dominates with 54.4% click share, followed by KBB at 13.07%. Enterprise and others hold 9.62% and 9.36%, respectively.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 US Automotive Online Car Retailers 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 enterprise.com kbb.com carmax.com cargurus.com edmunds.com cars.com autotrader.com truecar.com cruiseamerica.com
2026/08/01 33.43% 7% 7.16% 5.92% 6.94% 4.14% 4.69% 2.09% 1.89% 1.98%
2026/08/02 35.78% 5.48% 5% 8.89% 6.57% 3.42% 3.72% 2.22% 1.86% 1.98%
2026/08/03 38.45% 5.76% 4.76% 7.11% 6.4% 2.61% 4.15% 1.71% 2.71% 1.92%
2026/08/04 25.59% 9.08% 6.62% 6.94% 7.11% 2.83% 3.9% 2.65% 2.28% 2.25%
2026/08/05 28.78% 7.52% 7.87% 6.12% 7.36% 2.53% 5.32% 1.99% 2.54% 3.34%
2026/08/06 32.61% 9.42% 10.72% 6.77% 5.65% 2.87% 4.11% 1.76% 1.87% 2.34%
2026/08/07 32.9% 5.26% 7.39% 9.46% 4.98% 2.8% 3.64% 1.41% 3.84% 1.37%
2026/08/08 45.35% 5.98% 3.53% 7.07% 3.17% 1.77% 3.46% 1.2% 1.27% 2.41%
2026/08/09 34.3% 10.06% 7.41% 4.31% 5.75% 1.95% 3.82% 1.7% 2.41% 1.93%
2026/08/10 41.85% 5.6% 6.37% 4.8% 4.87% 1.95% 4.6% 2.34% 1.52% 1.1%
2026/08/11 40.56% 7.62% 8.27% 4.55% 6.5% 2.03% 5% 1.98% 1.13% 2.16%
2026/08/12 42.08% 8.19% 7.41% 3.76% 6.12% 1.76% 5.19% 1.5% 1.45% 1.27%
2026/08/13 43.55% 7.17% 7.27% 3% 5.74% 1.82% 3.95% 1.68% 1.49% 1.33%
2026/08/14 44.09% 6.65% 6.52% 4.55% 6.7% 1.4% 6.27% 1.77% 1.81% 1.37%
2026/08/15 38.19% 8.41% 10.46% 5.16% 5.67% 2.56% 4.56% 1.63% 1.39% 0.93%
2026/08/16 31.26% 7.81% 8.05% 5.69% 7.83% 2.33% 5.17% 1.79% 1.26% 3.01%
2026/08/17 42.5% 7.16% 8.2% 4.8% 4.54% 2.34% 3.25% 1.43% 0.96% 2.7%
2026/08/18 42.57% 5.96% 6.85% 4.08% 4.64% 1.46% 7.76% 1.76% 1.1% 0.93%
2026/08/19 44.05% 7.95% 5.6% 5.28% 4.74% 1.74% 5.82% 1.53% 2.08% 0.44%
2026/08/20 38.58% 7.92% 7.85% 5.47% 4.67% 2.88% 6% 2.04% 1.45% 1.38%
2026/08/21 35.01% 6.66% 6.77% 5.94% 5.63% 2.04% 6.58% 2.2% 1.72% 2.71%
2026/08/22 33.24% 6.34% 7.5% 7.9% 5.33% 3.45% 7.24% 2.36% 2.23% 2.01%
2026/08/23 30.5% 7.04% 7.55% 7.33% 6.16% 2.17% 6.14% 1.97% 2.26% 2.12%
2026/08/24 33.64% 8.5% 7.06% 6.71% 5.53% 1.76% 6.25% 2% 2.21% 2.28%
2026/08/25 30.89% 7.09% 6.77% 6.21% 6.12% 1.98% 8.05% 2.25% 1.58% 2.6%
2026/08/26 37.76% 6.14% 7.06% 5.77% 4.13% 2.01% 8.1% 2.19% 1.59% 1.89%
2026/08/27 44.56% 6.68% 6.19% 5.91% 3.89% 1.48% 4.61% 2.15% 1.99% 1.34%
2026/08/28 35.95% 6.92% 5.59% 6.92% 4.64% 3.04% 5.02% 2.15% 1.82% 1.49%
2026/08/29 28.94% 9.48% 7.5% 7.35% 4.92% 2.49% 4.61% 2.81% 1.55% 2.19%
2026/08/30 26.09% 8.42% 8.15% 7.55% 3.81% 3.53% 7.23% 2.75% 1.84% 1.99%
2026/08/31 25.23% 9.49% 9.06% 7.9% 4.88% 4.86% 4.29% 2.58% 1.98% 1.42%
  • carvana.com
  • enterprise.com
  • kbb.com
  • carmax.com
  • cargurus.com
  • edmunds.com
  • cars.com
  • autotrader.com
  • truecar.com
  • cruiseamerica.com

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Carvana’s PPC spend peaked mid-August at 45.35%, then declined to 25.23% by month’s end. Enterprise and KBB showed steady fluctuations, while Carmax and Cargurus had moderate variations. Edmunds and Autotrader remained stable.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for US Automotive Online Car Retailers

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
2026/08/01 746
2026/08/02 783
2026/08/03 649
2026/08/04 784
2026/08/05 683
2026/08/06 606
2026/08/07 537
2026/08/08 525
2026/08/09 613
2026/08/10 734
2026/08/11 693
2026/08/12 718
2026/08/13 655
2026/08/14 681
2026/08/15 677
2026/08/16 690
2026/08/17 642
2026/08/18 625
2026/08/19 616
2026/08/20 654
2026/08/21 656
2026/08/22 695
2026/08/23 707
2026/08/24 693
2026/08/25 684
2026/08/26 680
2026/08/27 686
2026/08/28 728
2026/08/29 678
2026/08/30 680
2026/08/31 664

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

August began with 746 advertisers, peaking at 784 on the 4th. A mid-month dip to 525 on the 8th was followed by a steady rise, ending at 664.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for US Automotive Online Car Retailers

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
cars.com 1.3%
carvana.com 0.68%
iaai.com 0.47%
autotrader.com 0.27%
rvuniverse.com 0.2%
edmunds.com -0.15%
campingworld.com -0.22%
boattrader.com -0.24%
cargurus.com -0.72%
kbb.com -1.34%

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Cars.com surged with a 1.30% click share increase, while kbb.com faced a decline of 1.34%.

Campaign Efficiency

US Automotive Online Car Retailers 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 kbb.com cargurus.com enterprise.com edmunds.com cars.com truecar.com driveway.com autotrader.com
2026/08/01 36.79% 6.92% 6.36% 8.3% 4.12% 6.29% 3.75% 1.54% 2.25% 1.86%
2026/08/02 37.47% 11.93% 4.26% 9.45% 3.29% 3.95% 3.37% 1.61% 2.35% 1.6%
2026/08/03 39.08% 8.79% 4.1% 8.31% 3.14% 3.42% 5.04% 3.55% 2.49% 1.47%
2026/08/04 21.98% 9.27% 6.26% 11.24% 6.4% 3.79% 4.42% 2.73% 2.28% 2.2%
2026/08/05 26.85% 8.3% 6.96% 13.01% 4.59% 3.35% 6.65% 2.86% 0.9% 1.36%
2026/08/06 30.73% 9.5% 9.84% 9.68% 7.26% 3.28% 4.52% 2.63% 1.05% 1.38%
2026/08/07 29.52% 12.74% 5.4% 8.32% 3.24% 3.16% 3.97% 6.92% 2.26% 0.89%
2026/08/08 41.35% 12.6% 3.21% 4.63% 4.16% 1.94% 2.99% 0.8% 4.07% 0.94%
2026/08/09 32.39% 5.87% 6.36% 10.35% 6.57% 2.36% 3.89% 2.72% 4.99% 1.39%
2026/08/10 42.31% 5.93% 5.5% 6.44% 3.14% 2.07% 4.73% 1.34% 2.21% 1.83%
2026/08/11 43.75% 6.79% 6.87% 9.46% 4.79% 2.2% 4.75% 1.13% 1.66% 1.39%
2026/08/12 43.34% 6% 6.51% 8.38% 5.54% 1.81% 4.26% 1.67% 1.07% 1.17%
2026/08/13 44.62% 3.47% 6.08% 8.95% 4.98% 1.73% 4.28% 1.67% 2.09% 1.17%
2026/08/14 42.44% 5.33% 5.49% 12.24% 4.11% 1.3% 5.78% 2.62% 0.82% 1.39%
2026/08/15 40.73% 8.35% 8.13% 8.69% 5.89% 2.15% 5.12% 1.96% 0.99% 1.15%
2026/08/16 29.59% 8.58% 6.32% 12.94% 4.93% 2.7% 7.18% 1.92% 1.62% 1.28%
2026/08/17 44.07% 6.76% 7.05% 5.64% 4.94% 2.9% 3.09% 0.96% 0.66% 1.19%
2026/08/18 47.2% 5.04% 5.88% 6.76% 4.45% 1.24% 5.75% 1.56% 0.65% 1.49%
2026/08/19 47.79% 7.16% 4.84% 5.76% 5.48% 1.11% 4.67% 1.83% 2.92% 1.12%
2026/08/20 41.57% 5.52% 6.89% 6.73% 5.95% 2.88% 6.85% 1.04% 1.73% 1.72%
2026/08/21 36.12% 7.6% 6% 9.16% 4.31% 1.78% 6.61% 2.13% 3.15% 1.75%
2026/08/22 35.9% 10.17% 6.85% 8.03% 4.71% 2.96% 6.03% 2.78% 1.13% 2.17%
2026/08/23 30.77% 9.76% 6.58% 10.33% 5.18% 1.52% 5.27% 1.91% 3.11% 1.51%
2026/08/24 37.47% 9.31% 6.16% 7.29% 5.34% 1.59% 6.35% 2.02% 2.31% 1.52%
2026/08/25 34.45% 8.55% 5.98% 7.08% 4.82% 1.85% 5.81% 2.56% 1.07% 1.73%
2026/08/26 41.89% 8.36% 6.41% 6.16% 4.58% 1.48% 6.46% 1.74% 1.02% 1.95%
2026/08/27 48.17% 7.09% 5.52% 5.69% 4.96% 1.23% 4.13% 2.92% 0.51% 1.76%
2026/08/28 37.89% 7.5% 5.08% 8.21% 4.66% 3.08% 4.92% 1.73% 1.83% 1.38%
2026/08/29 33.77% 8.82% 6.93% 6.64% 7.13% 2.82% 4.42% 1.33% 2.39% 2.01%
2026/08/30 29.53% 9.25% 7.12% 4.92% 6.41% 3.88% 6.52% 3.04% 2.09% 2.05%
2026/08/31 28.38% 11.65% 7.23% 7.17% 7.03% 4.69% 3.63% 3.27% 2.19% 1.58%
  • carvana.com
  • carmax.com
  • kbb.com
  • cargurus.com
  • enterprise.com
  • edmunds.com
  • cars.com
  • truecar.com
  • driveway.com
  • autotrader.com

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Carvana’s impression share fluctuated, peaking mid-month at 48.17%. Carmax and KBB showed steady gains, while Cargurus and Enterprise had varied trends. August ended with Carvana leading, despite a dip.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Automotive Online Car Retailers

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 Online Car Retailers - Last month
  1. 1
    CarMax lets you buy your way - CarMax Has Upfront Pricing https://www.carmax.com

    Wanna shop online, in store, or both? CarMax lets you buy your way.

  2. 2
    Buy, Sell, Or Trade Online https://www.carvana.com › columbus-oh

    Used Cars Online — Buy, Sell, Or Trade 100% Online At Carvana®. No Haggling. No Hassles. Find The Right Used Car For You At Carvana®. Search By Make, Model, Mileage...

  3. 3
    We'll Buy Your Car Online https://www.driveway.com

    We'll Buy Your Vehicle — Sell your car the easy way. Instant offers and all online. Looking to sell your car? Look no further...

  4. 4
    Enterprise Rent-A-Car® | Rent a Car Online https://www.enterprise.com

    Find the perfect rental car with Enterprise. Enjoy free cancellations if your plans change. Choose from a variety of vehicles and find the rental car that suits...

  5. 5
    Official Kelley Blue Book Site https://www.kbb.com › shop › kbb

    Find Your Car's Book Value — Kelley Blue Book® Empowering You in the Car Market. From Values To Service & Repair Guide. Kelley Blue Book®: Making Car Buying Easier Since 1918 Let Us Help You Shop Like a Pro.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of online car retail, CarMax, Carvana, Driveway, Enterprise, and Kelley Blue Book stand out with unique propositions. CarMax emphasizes flexibility with “buy your way” options, while Carvana offers a hassle-free, 100% online experience. Driveway simplifies selling with instant online offers. Enterprise focuses on rental convenience, and Kelley Blue Book empowers buyers with trusted car value insights.

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