US Automotive Online Car Retailers - PPC Market Share Analysis December 2025

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 23.6839912042
76.3160087958
23%

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 69
31
69%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 30%
Transactional 28%
Navigational 5%
Seasonal 0%
Local 2%
Problem Solving 14%

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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
kbb.com 27.92
carvana.com 23.88
cargurus.com 7.75
edmunds.com 5.18
cars.com 4.66
autotrader.com 4.64
carmax.com 3.49
enterprise.com 2.97
carfax.com 2.32
truecar.com 1.95
others 15.24
  • kbb.com - 27.92%
  • carvana.com - 23.88%
  • cargurus.com - 7.75%
  • edmunds.com - 5.18%
  • cars.com - 4.66%
  • autotrader.com - 4.64%
  • carmax.com - 3.49%
  • enterprise.com - 2.97%
  • carfax.com - 2.32%
  • truecar.com - 1.95%
  • others - 15.24%

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In the PPC landscape, kbb.com leads with 27.92% click share, followed by carvana.com at 23.88%. Others collectively hold 15.24%, showcasing diverse competition.

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 cargurus.com carmax.com kbb.com autotrader.com edmunds.com autonation.com cars.com truecar.com carfax.com
2025/12/01 20.88% 11.66% 5.43% 12.76% 3.56% 3.33% 2.84% 4.06% 2.49% 2.28%
2025/12/02 23.76% 14% 6.69% 7.64% 4.58% 3.38% 2.51% 4.75% 3.1% 2.41%
2025/12/03 24.64% 12.1% 3.78% 6.47% 5.68% 2.8% 2.74% 7.5% 3.73% 2.46%
2025/12/04 23.29% 13.28% 4.42% 7.5% 5.64% 2.81% 2.55% 5.57% 3.25% 2.32%
2025/12/05 22.35% 13.32% 5.22% 7.9% 5.46% 3.07% 2.61% 5.81% 3.62% 2.31%
2025/12/06 25.97% 11.93% 6.3% 7.57% 4.6% 3.03% 2.6% 4.31% 3.69% 3.1%
2025/12/07 22.42% 12.22% 6.34% 11.64% 4% 4.49% 1.94% 4.25% 3.28% 2.36%
2025/12/08 23.04% 11.16% 5.9% 12.91% 3.21% 2.49% 2.94% 3.58% 3.64% 1.62%
2025/12/09 23.24% 11.24% 6.76% 8% 4.2% 2.69% 2.45% 3.84% 3.59% 2.77%
2025/12/10 23.57% 10.9% 5.64% 7.65% 4.01% 2.32% 3.03% 4.17% 3.51% 2.23%
2025/12/11 19.23% 11.28% 7.04% 10.38% 4.17% 2.88% 2.45% 4.23% 3.13% 2.8%
2025/12/12 19.72% 11% 6.2% 10.63% 3.89% 3.75% 1.77% 3.36% 3.49% 2.77%
2025/12/13 19.26% 14.14% 7.67% 5.16% 4.58% 3.96% 1.73% 3.97% 4.02% 2.31%
2025/12/14 21.23% 12.29% 8.18% 6.53% 4.35% 4.08% 2.15% 3.47% 4.05% 2.88%
2025/12/15 18.4% 10.77% 8.03% 11.92% 3.94% 4.43% 1.92% 3.75% 3.66% 1.96%
2025/12/16 16.93% 11.68% 8.45% 10.34% 4.49% 3.96% 2.71% 3.86% 4.16% 2.45%
2025/12/17 16.61% 10.37% 9.48% 9.04% 4.54% 3.26% 2.32% 4.84% 3.76% 2.26%
2025/12/18 17.63% 11.28% 8.94% 10.81% 3.85% 4.16% 1.53% 3.84% 4.91% 2.09%
2025/12/19 17.09% 12.28% 9.26% 9.8% 3.66% 4.37% 2.44% 3.08% 3.33% 2.36%
2025/12/20 14.85% 12.09% 9.25% 13.65% 3.77% 5.15% 1.45% 3.38% 4.03% 1.74%
2025/12/21 15.38% 12.35% 9.95% 13.38% 3.81% 4.79% 2.27% 2.98% 3.51% 2.12%
2025/12/22 18.91% 11.94% 8.33% 10.96% 4.15% 4.71% 1.95% 4.48% 3.59% 2.95%
2025/12/23 23.61% 10.96% 8.36% 9.39% 3.49% 4.24% 3.19% 3.32% 3.92% 2.42%
2025/12/24 21.26% 10.56% 8.96% 10.27% 3.19% 4.45% 2.68% 3.26% 3.33% 2.67%
2025/12/25 17.28% 11.43% 9.02% 8.65% 3.4% 3.84% 2.66% 2.89% 3.84% 2.71%
2025/12/26 20.95% 11.34% 9.79% 9.62% 3.44% 4.29% 2.28% 2.61% 3.89% 2.81%
2025/12/27 18.54% 14.62% 9.25% 9.88% 3.47% 4.01% 1.95% 2.69% 4.03% 2.13%
2025/12/28 18.61% 13.33% 9.43% 11.15% 4.02% 4.21% 2.47% 3.7% 3.69% 2.15%
2025/12/29 21.7% 11.18% 8.72% 11.93% 4.3% 4.61% 1.77% 3.19% 3.17% 2.43%
2025/12/30 16.81% 11.45% 8.94% 12.47% 4.79% 5.55% 2.34% 2.75% 2.92% 2.21%
2025/12/31 24.55% 12.78% 7.76% 5.69% 4.95% 3.56% 3.13% 2.97% 2.77% 2.17%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carmax.com
  • kbb.com
  • autotrader.com
  • edmunds.com
  • autonation.com
  • cars.com
  • truecar.com
  • carfax.com

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Carvana’s PPC spend peaked early December, then declined, ending strong at 24.55%. CarGurus fluctuated, closing at 12.78%. CarMax rose steadily, finishing at 7.76%. KBB saw highs and lows, ending at 5.69%. AutoTrader and Edmunds showed gradual increases, closing at 4.95% and 3.56%, respectively. AutoNation and Cars.com had minor fluctuations, ending at 3.13% and 2.97%. TrueCar and Carfax remained stable, closing at 2.77% and 2.17%.

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
2025/12/01 1041
2025/12/02 1065
2025/12/03 1262
2025/12/04 1203
2025/12/05 1241
2025/12/06 1204
2025/12/07 1092
2025/12/08 1017
2025/12/09 1089
2025/12/10 1130
2025/12/11 1175
2025/12/12 1145
2025/12/13 1116
2025/12/14 1084
2025/12/15 1137
2025/12/16 1188
2025/12/17 1081
2025/12/18 1180
2025/12/19 1132
2025/12/20 1135
2025/12/21 1089
2025/12/22 1232
2025/12/23 1215
2025/12/24 1221
2025/12/25 1174
2025/12/26 1112
2025/12/27 1126
2025/12/28 1074
2025/12/29 1097
2025/12/30 1089
2025/12/31 1113

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December saw a dynamic shift in distinct advertisers, peaking at 1,262 on December 3rd. The month concluded with 1,113 advertisers, reflecting a steady presence.

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
edmunds.com 1.89%
carmax.com 1.4%
kbb.com 0.38%
enterprise.com 0.35%
enterprisecarsales.com 0.15%
campingworld.com -0.15%
peddle.com -0.18%
autotrader.com -0.29%
cars.com -0.66%
carvana.com -2.77%

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Edmunds.com surged with a 1.89% click share increase, while Carvana.com faced a 2.77% decline. Carmax.com and kbb.com also saw positive growth, contrasting with drops for cars.com and autotrader.com.

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 cargurus.com carmax.com kbb.com autotrader.com autonation.com edmunds.com cars.com truecar.com driveway.com
2025/12/01 19.3% 14.35% 8.2% 10.98% 3.23% 6.4% 4.45% 3.43% 1.58% 2.14%
2025/12/02 20.32% 17.93% 9.48% 5.95% 4.06% 4.42% 3.97% 4.05% 1.87% 4.54%
2025/12/03 22.09% 15.27% 4.86% 5.97% 4.96% 3.02% 3.49% 5.85% 2.68% 3.07%
2025/12/04 21.05% 15.71% 6.43% 7.28% 4.95% 3% 3.96% 4.43% 2.47% 2.63%
2025/12/05 18.58% 15.29% 8.05% 8.03% 4.63% 3.7% 3.59% 5.07% 2.67% 3.11%
2025/12/06 22.18% 13.76% 8.21% 7.22% 4.06% 5.46% 3.49% 3.82% 3.29% 4.63%
2025/12/07 21.15% 13.87% 8.15% 11.12% 3.49% 2.88% 6.86% 3.9% 2.29% 3.04%
2025/12/08 21.62% 15.4% 7.21% 11.06% 2.66% 6.64% 3.22% 3.56% 2.62% 0.65%
2025/12/09 21.59% 13.48% 9.77% 9.37% 3.46% 3.29% 3.88% 3.63% 2.22% 2.2%
2025/12/10 22.59% 11.9% 6.53% 6.99% 3.53% 7.14% 2.88% 4.25% 2.52% 2.23%
2025/12/11 18.28% 11.8% 9.19% 8.81% 3.51% 3.34% 3.25% 4.17% 2.2% 5.54%
2025/12/12 18.77% 14.28% 7.4% 10.75% 3.71% 1.97% 4.38% 3.82% 2.85% 2.43%
2025/12/13 18.43% 16.67% 9.47% 6.35% 4.25% 2.43% 3.73% 4.37% 3.65% 2.21%
2025/12/14 18.96% 14.92% 9.27% 8.28% 4.12% 2.77% 5.77% 3.76% 2.95% 2.17%
2025/12/15 16.82% 12.56% 10.84% 11.13% 3.18% 3.36% 6.44% 3.74% 2.61% 3.55%
2025/12/16 15.62% 13.49% 11.11% 10.57% 4.08% 4.84% 4.44% 3.93% 3.38% 0.86%
2025/12/17 16.49% 11.88% 11.39% 9.96% 4.4% 3.08% 3.97% 4.84% 2.93% 1.89%
2025/12/18 17.48% 13.57% 11.92% 9.69% 3.42% 2.35% 5.18% 3.55% 3.78% 2.87%
2025/12/19 14.79% 15.15% 12.61% 8.77% 3.3% 5.49% 5.26% 3.13% 2.8% 1.6%
2025/12/20 13.79% 12.62% 12.44% 12.14% 3.42% 2.65% 7.4% 3.47% 3.2% 1.43%
2025/12/21 13.34% 13.56% 13.27% 11.63% 3.38% 3.24% 7.27% 3.07% 3.02% 3.21%
2025/12/22 16.72% 13.92% 11.21% 8.28% 3.91% 2.25% 6.19% 4.22% 2.94% 1.54%
2025/12/23 22% 13.22% 10% 8.82% 3.08% 4.04% 6.47% 3.42% 3.07% 2.72%
2025/12/24 19.32% 13.15% 12.38% 8.11% 2.82% 3.35% 6.11% 3.29% 2.64% 2.09%
2025/12/25 15.39% 13.12% 12.1% 7.85% 3.08% 4.1% 5% 3.14% 3% 3%
2025/12/26 19.49% 13.01% 12.77% 8.05% 2.95% 4.2% 5.67% 2.88% 3% 3.01%
2025/12/27 17.15% 17.05% 11.18% 9.55% 3.09% 3.17% 5.07% 2.78% 3.6% 2.1%
2025/12/28 16.32% 14.94% 12.53% 9.69% 3.64% 3.61% 6.39% 3.6% 3.03% 1.95%
2025/12/29 21.25% 13.18% 10.32% 10.49% 3.78% 2.47% 5.73% 2.86% 2.71% 2.44%
2025/12/30 16.48% 12.92% 11.25% 10.28% 4.17% 2.64% 8.7% 2.61% 2.53% 2.39%
2025/12/31 23.99% 15.14% 9.13% 5.25% 4.67% 4.32% 4.15% 3.32% 2.73% 1.73%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carmax.com
  • kbb.com
  • autotrader.com
  • autonation.com
  • edmunds.com
  • cars.com
  • truecar.com
  • driveway.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 23.99% on December 31. Cargurus and Carmax showed moderate changes, while KBB and Autotrader had minor shifts. Autonation and Edmunds experienced varied trends, with Driveway ending at 1.73%.

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
    What's Your Car's Value? https://www.carmax.com

    Learn Your Vehicle's Value — Say Goodbye To Your Ride And Hello To Dough – With An Instant Online Offer From CarMax®.

  2. 2
    Cars.com | Used Cars for Sale https://www.cars.com

    Inspire Your Next Journey With the Perfect Car. Choose From 2M+ Listings and Hit the Road

  3. 3
    Buy, Sell, Or Trade Online https://www.carvana.com

    Shop Cars Online, Haggle-Free — Find The Right Used Car For You At Carvana®. Search By Make, Model, Mileage And More! Buy...

  4. 4
    How Much Is My Car Worth - Check our calculator https://www.driveway.com

    If you’re looking to sell your car or find its current trade-in value, check our calculator and learn how to get the most value out of your used vehicle.

  5. 5
    Official Kelley Blue Book Site - Find Your Car's Book Value https://www.kbb.com

    Kelley Blue Book® Empowering You in the Car Market. From Values To Service & Repair Guide

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive world of online car retail, CarMax entices with instant offers, while Cars.com inspires journeys with over 2 million listings. Carvana simplifies buying and selling, Driveway offers value calculators, and Kelley Blue Book empowers with trusted valuations.

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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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