US Automotive Online Car Retailers - PPC Market Share Analysis October 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 59.5155676391
40.4844323609
59%

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 40
60
40%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 14%
Transactional 30%
Navigational 19%
Seasonal 0%
Local 10%
Problem Solving 3%

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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 47.91
kbb.com 11.06
enterprise.com 7.4
cargurus.com 5.88
cars.com 4.15
autotrader.com 3.91
carmax.com 2.3
carfax.com 1.58
edmunds.com 1.41
iaai.com 1.3
others 13.1
  • carvana.com - 47.91%
  • kbb.com - 11.06%
  • enterprise.com - 7.4%
  • cargurus.com - 5.88%
  • cars.com - 4.15%
  • autotrader.com - 3.91%
  • carmax.com - 2.3%
  • carfax.com - 1.58%
  • edmunds.com - 1.41%
  • iaai.com - 1.3%
  • others - 13.1%

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Carvana dominates with 47.91% click share, overshadowing others like KBB at 11.06%. ‘Others’ collectively hold 13.1%, highlighting 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 cars.com autotrader.com enterprise.com kbb.com carfax.com driveway.com edmunds.com
2026/10/01 36.65% 8.81% 5.84% 5.32% 2.03% 6.53% 3.09% 1.37% 1.71% 1.32%
2026/10/02 38.29% 9.34% 6.38% 6.31% 2.39% 5.98% 2.34% 0.99% 1.39% 1.29%
2026/10/03 31.29% 8.58% 6.83% 6.28% 2.31% 4.26% 4.63% 1.33% 2.41% 1.85%
2026/10/04 32.6% 10.23% 6.68% 6.9% 2.25% 6% 4.06% 1.28% 1.5% 2.42%
2026/10/05 26.42% 9.87% 5.79% 7.57% 2.99% 6.01% 5.41% 1.75% 1.35% 2.84%
2026/10/06 30.55% 9.99% 6.69% 5.63% 3.52% 7.66% 4.72% 1.83% 1.96% 2.21%
2026/10/07 35.47% 9.36% 5.75% 5.43% 3.43% 5.47% 4.97% 1.23% 1.91% 1.52%
2026/10/08 31.06% 9.7% 7.07% 5.66% 4.33% 4.08% 4.91% 2.67% 2.36% 1.95%
2026/10/09 27.32% 10.31% 8.39% 5.86% 4.84% 6.11% 4.17% 2.35% 2.68% 1.97%
2026/10/10 29.03% 8.99% 7.16% 5.2% 4.42% 4.59% 4.47% 2.53% 1.44% 2.04%
2026/10/11 25.86% 11.47% 7.87% 6.07% 5.11% 5.88% 3.92% 2.46% 2.79% 2.66%
2026/10/12 24.33% 9.92% 7.36% 6.99% 5.51% 6.33% 3.86% 2.13% 1.92% 1.67%
2026/10/13 25.04% 11.95% 7.6% 6% 4.97% 5.97% 2.99% 2.28% 2.21% 2.13%
2026/10/14 27.29% 9.27% 6.99% 6.46% 5.38% 4.94% 3.87% 1.87% 1.75% 1.22%
2026/10/15 30.28% 9.47% 6.56% 5.79% 3.4% 4.1% 3.2% 1.4% 2.84% 1%
2026/10/16 40.18% 9.77% 6.65% 6.56% 3.37% 2.14% 2.97% 1.17% 1.83% 0.68%
2026/10/17 30.38% 11.1% 8.9% 6.17% 4.26% 4.84% 3.68% 1.19% 2.03% 0.78%
2026/10/18 39.34% 8.99% 6.79% 5.59% 3.3% 4.47% 2.87% 1.32% 2.35% 0.86%
2026/10/19 31.78% 11.84% 7.26% 6.06% 4.14% 4.75% 3.61% 1.66% 2.39% 1.28%
2026/10/20 33.81% 9.6% 7.24% 6.08% 3.48% 3.83% 2.73% 1.67% 2.5% 1.09%
2026/10/21 33.96% 11.31% 6.89% 5.15% 4.88% 4.78% 2.99% 1.6% 2.63% 1.21%
2026/10/22 27.08% 10.1% 7.75% 7.86% 4.97% 6.91% 3.17% 1.29% 2.23% 0.95%
2026/10/23 29.17% 11.1% 7.25% 5.83% 5.06% 4.79% 2.88% 2.57% 2.31% 0.66%
2026/10/24 32.76% 9.63% 7.44% 4.05% 3.41% 5.3% 4.47% 1.93% 2.03% 2.41%
2026/10/25 28.35% 8.85% 8.24% 4.04% 3.52% 5.43% 4.41% 1.54% 1.81% 2.48%
2026/10/26 27.17% 10.99% 7.46% 4.27% 3.84% 4.03% 5.14% 1.99% 1.73% 1.24%
2026/10/27 24.53% 10.11% 8.23% 4.46% 5.33% 3.68% 3.9% 2.18% 1.81% 1.44%
2026/10/28 36.17% 9.05% 7.22% 3.32% 4.61% 4.4% 2.57% 1.56% 1.94% 1.39%
2026/10/29 31.23% 9.19% 7.51% 3.39% 3.55% 5.59% 3.58% 2.33% 1.67% 1.87%
2026/10/30 37.3% 7.94% 7.62% 3.01% 3.1% 3.55% 2.93% 2.28% 1.92% 1.56%
2026/10/31 42.85% 8.98% 6.09% 3.47% 3.26% 3.07% 2.85% 2.83% 1.3% 1.17%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carmax.com
  • cars.com
  • autotrader.com
  • enterprise.com
  • kbb.com
  • carfax.com
  • driveway.com
  • edmunds.com

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Carvana led October with fluctuating spend, peaking at 42.85%. Cargurus and Carmax followed, showing steady trends. Cars.com and Autotrader saw varied shifts, while Enterprise and KBB maintained moderate shares.

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
2026/10/01 907
2026/10/02 922
2026/10/03 891
2026/10/04 948
2026/10/05 898
2026/10/06 917
2026/10/07 899
2026/10/08 1030
2026/10/09 1052
2026/10/10 1021
2026/10/11 1016
2026/10/12 1032
2026/10/13 1101
2026/10/14 1113
2026/10/15 1122
2026/10/16 1147
2026/10/17 1129
2026/10/18 1141
2026/10/19 1143
2026/10/20 1153
2026/10/21 1139
2026/10/22 1198
2026/10/23 1146
2026/10/24 1165
2026/10/25 1215
2026/10/26 1177
2026/10/27 1310
2026/10/28 1373
2026/10/29 1276
2026/10/30 1242
2026/10/31 1144

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

October saw a dynamic rise in distinct advertisers, starting at 907 and peaking at 1,373 on the 28th, before closing at 1,144.

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
carvana.com 7.02%
edmunds.com 0.24%
cars-rentals.com 0.24%
autonation.com 0.18%
carbravo.com 0.16%
boattrader.com -0.55%
turo.com -0.74%
cars.com -0.99%
kbb.com -1.42%
enterprise.com -2.4%

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Carvana.com surged with a 7.02% click share increase, while enterprise.com faced a 2.4% decline.

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 carfax.com cars.com autotrader.com enterprise.com autonation.com driveway.com
2026/10/01 31.84% 12.21% 7.7% 3.81% 1.55% 4.5% 1.86% 4.97% 1.8% 3.59%
2026/10/02 34.57% 13.45% 9.64% 2.97% 1.19% 4.6% 2.38% 4.97% 1.46% 2.21%
2026/10/03 27.26% 11.31% 9.07% 5.63% 1.57% 4.47% 1.97% 2.55% 1.88% 4.1%
2026/10/04 29.74% 13.07% 8.68% 4.52% 1.27% 4.52% 1.85% 5.09% 2.8% 2.53%
2026/10/05 23.43% 11.58% 7.37% 6.68% 1.62% 4.88% 2.55% 5.24% 3.26% 1.9%
2026/10/06 27.44% 11.72% 9.65% 5.56% 1.69% 4% 3.01% 6.77% 2.2% 3.21%
2026/10/07 29.99% 12.37% 6.86% 5.9% 1.97% 3.9% 3.08% 4.25% 2.37% 3.03%
2026/10/08 27.63% 12.39% 8.75% 5.8% 2.48% 4.02% 3.51% 3.24% 2.77% 3.46%
2026/10/09 23.59% 12.37% 10.87% 5.08% 2.46% 4.54% 4.02% 5.83% 1.85% 4.21%
2026/10/10 27.6% 10.95% 10.1% 4.79% 2.1% 3.67% 3.41% 3.87% 2.62% 2.11%
2026/10/11 23.22% 14.43% 10.92% 4.39% 2.11% 4.13% 3.91% 4.91% 1.78% 4.19%
2026/10/12 20.32% 11.77% 10.39% 4.52% 2.24% 5.36% 4.86% 5.22% 2.84% 2.87%
2026/10/13 22.29% 15.09% 9.76% 3.22% 1.93% 4.17% 4.03% 4.41% 1.64% 3.15%
2026/10/14 24.97% 12.62% 9.38% 5.17% 1.8% 4.84% 4.05% 3.63% 2.38% 2.37%
2026/10/15 29% 12.98% 7.91% 3.79% 1.31% 4.54% 3% 3.5% 1.12% 5.04%
2026/10/16 39.36% 12.44% 8.42% 3.21% 1.22% 5.31% 2.61% 1.14% 1.81% 2.6%
2026/10/17 27.91% 14.37% 10.6% 4.23% 1.31% 4.53% 3.2% 3.7% 1.75% 2.86%
2026/10/18 40.13% 11.71% 7.46% 3.31% 1.52% 4.47% 2.58% 2.91% 1.61% 3.64%
2026/10/19 28.86% 16.36% 9.7% 4.44% 1.87% 4.98% 3.37% 3% 0.84% 3.58%
2026/10/20 31.27% 13.77% 9.33% 3.1% 1.61% 4.79% 3.21% 1.79% 1.73% 4.15%
2026/10/21 31.14% 15.66% 9.07% 3.53% 1.89% 3.66% 4.03% 4.28% 2.39% 4.23%
2026/10/22 23.39% 14.18% 10.52% 4.23% 1.23% 5.74% 4.32% 6.1% 1.25% 3.67%
2026/10/23 27.21% 13.98% 8.58% 3.55% 2.8% 4.45% 4.52% 3.58% 2.76% 3.95%
2026/10/24 29.7% 12.37% 9.21% 5.48% 1.84% 3.3% 2.77% 3.91% 3.34% 2.79%
2026/10/25 23.72% 12.27% 10.32% 6.24% 1.78% 3.31% 2.97% 4.93% 2.31% 2.5%
2026/10/26 23.7% 14.27% 8.44% 6.66% 2.33% 3.31% 3.43% 3.11% 3.17% 2.66%
2026/10/27 21.66% 12.94% 9.56% 4.56% 2.28% 3.2% 5.03% 2.65% 3.87% 2.58%
2026/10/28 35.31% 11.76% 7.69% 3.08% 1.8% 2.22% 3.67% 3.55% 2.01% 2.74%
2026/10/29 29.16% 11.46% 9.43% 4.62% 2.77% 2.61% 3.18% 4.53% 2.69% 2.12%
2026/10/30 34.32% 10.05% 9.63% 3.46% 3.39% 2.83% 2.92% 2.33% 2.16% 2.86%
2026/10/31 41.57% 10.32% 6.73% 3.6% 3.43% 3% 2.78% 2.42% 2.4% 1.29%
  • carvana.com
  • cargurus.com
  • carmax.com
  • kbb.com
  • carfax.com
  • cars.com
  • autotrader.com
  • enterprise.com
  • autonation.com
  • driveway.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Carvana’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 41.57% on October 31. Cargurus and Carmax showed moderate stability, while KBB and Carfax had minor variations. Autotrader and Enterprise experienced slight declines, ending October with lower shares.

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
    CarGurus: Shop Used & New https://www.cargurus.com

    See Local Deals on CarGurus — Shop local listings with transparent pricing. See what's available near you. See every car for sale...

  2. 2
    Largest Used Car Retailer | Nearly 50,000 Cars Online https://www.carmax.com

    Shop the Nation's Largest Retailer of Used Cars. Nearly 50,000 Cars Available. Browse Our...

  3. 3
    Carvana® Official Site https://www.carvana.com

    Buy, Sell, Or Trade Online — Buy, Sell, Or Trade 100% Online At Carvana®. No Haggling. No Hassles.

  4. 4
    Enterprise Rent-A-Car® | Enterprise Official Site https://www.enterprise.com

    Choose from a variety of vehicles and find the rental car that suits your needs. Reserve a car directly with Enterprise® today to save time & money on your trip. Book now! Long Term Car Rentals.

  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. From Car Research To Auto Repair Pricing, Kelley Blue Book® Is A Great Car Resource.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of online car retail, CarGurus, CarMax, Carvana, Enterprise, and Kelley Blue Book dominate with distinct narratives. CarGurus emphasizes local deals and transparency, while CarMax boasts a vast inventory. Carvana offers a hassle-free online experience, Enterprise focuses on convenience and savings, and Kelley Blue Book empowers consumers with comprehensive car market insights.

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