US Software & Technology Cybersecurity - PPC Market Share Analysis September 2026

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

Cybersecurity – US

Google AI Overview visibility for Software & Technology Cybersecurity 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 64.5458011387
35.4541988613
64%

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 15
85
15%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 9%
Transactional 7%
Navigational 15%
Seasonal 0%
Local 0%
Problem Solving 9%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 US Software & Technology Cybersecurity 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
nordvpn.com 14.65
norton.com 8.73
mcafee.com 6.65
simplisafe.com 4.56
forbes.com 4.24
expressvpn.com 3.88
cybernews.com 3.78
1password.com 3.76
malwarebytes.com 3.33
surfshark.com 3.15
others 43.27
  • nordvpn.com - 14.65%
  • norton.com - 8.73%
  • mcafee.com - 6.65%
  • simplisafe.com - 4.56%
  • forbes.com - 4.24%
  • expressvpn.com - 3.88%
  • cybernews.com - 3.78%
  • 1password.com - 3.76%
  • malwarebytes.com - 3.33%
  • surfshark.com - 3.15%
  • others - 43.27%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the cybersecurity PPC landscape, ‘others’ dominate with 43.27% click share. NordVPN leads individual advertisers at 14.65%, followed by Norton at 8.73% and McAfee at 6.65%.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 US Software & Technology Cybersecurity 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 nordvpn.com mcafee.com forbes.com cybernews.com norton.com expressvpn.com surfshark.com totalav.com simplisafe.com top10vpn.com
2026/09/01 11.69% 10.05% 5.78% 5.85% 12.25% 2.45% 3.57% 0.93% 3.44% 1.51%
2026/09/02 10.43% 12.13% 5.08% 4.41% 12.65% 1.86% 2.9% 2.12% 4.96% 1.93%
2026/09/03 9.42% 10.85% 5.45% 4.32% 12.57% 1.87% 2.97% 2.53% 4.08% 1.59%
2026/09/04 10% 9.92% 4.28% 4.86% 13.12% 1.52% 2.41% 2.45% 3.68% 1.57%
2026/09/05 10.78% 9.92% 4.84% 5.62% 12.18% 1.77% 1.93% 2.33% 3.86% 2.04%
2026/09/06 7.65% 9.75% 7.45% 5.99% 12.82% 1.79% 1.2% 1.96% 3.04% 2.55%
2026/09/07 7.46% 9.04% 7.59% 5.66% 12.97% 2.23% 1.98% 2.06% 2.45% 2.16%
2026/09/08 10.13% 6.27% 6.97% 5.64% 12.49% 1.49% 2.24% 2.42% 2.98% 1.4%
2026/09/09 12.06% 7.46% 6.11% 5.54% 10.03% 1.72% 3.41% 1.31% 0.99% 3.33%
2026/09/10 12.21% 7.64% 7.05% 4.82% 8.42% 2.9% 2.71% 2.17% 0.86% 1.79%
2026/09/11 14.27% 7.42% 5.37% 4.65% 10.11% 2.78% 2.94% 3.2% 1.43% 1.51%
2026/09/12 11.09% 7.54% 4.7% 4.73% 10.38% 3.02% 2.99% 3.32% 1.95% 1.33%
2026/09/13 14.43% 7.58% 4.81% 4.18% 8.38% 3.08% 3.35% 3.48% 1.55% 2.21%
2026/09/14 14.35% 7.94% 4.51% 3.2% 7.59% 4.18% 2.66% 4.05% 1.47% 2.36%
2026/09/15 13.28% 8.46% 5.87% 4.32% 7.39% 4.44% 1.83% 3.44% 1.39% 2.67%
2026/09/16 14.19% 7.83% 4.94% 3.88% 8.33% 5.8% 2.51% 1.62% 1.32% 2.25%
2026/09/17 10.86% 7.47% 5.82% 4.84% 8.06% 6.02% 2.14% 3.14% 1.21% 1.28%
2026/09/18 12.24% 7.82% 7.91% 6.54% 6.02% 4.63% 1.61% 1.79% 1.79% 2.34%
2026/09/19 12.56% 7.59% 8.18% 5.91% 7.58% 4.46% 1.76% 1.44% 1.58% 2.54%
2026/09/20 11.74% 7.94% 7.99% 5.31% 6.7% 5.19% 2.57% 1.08% 1.3% 2.66%
2026/09/21 11.31% 8.54% 7.64% 5.21% 7.67% 4.68% 2.1% 1.23% 2.13% 2.39%
2026/09/22 11.84% 8.65% 8.13% 6.13% 6.72% 4.26% 2.16% 1.04% 2.24% 2.53%
2026/09/23 9.4% 8.61% 8.11% 6.64% 6.27% 4.29% 2.64% 0.69% 2.27% 3.5%
2026/09/24 11.64% 10.27% 7.77% 6.11% 7.01% 4.36% 2.85% 1.13% 1.21% 1.35%
2026/09/25 10.83% 10.27% 7.82% 4.76% 7.11% 4.72% 3.27% 1.25% 1.22% 1.99%
2026/09/26 9.91% 9.61% 8.47% 5.94% 8.44% 3.94% 3.76% 1.53% 1.05% 3.05%
2026/09/27 11.31% 10.03% 6.79% 4.77% 7.83% 5.52% 3.87% 1.16% 0.94% 1.55%
2026/09/28 11.33% 9.89% 7.45% 4.46% 5.04% 4.12% 5.24% 1.84% 1.43% 3.17%
2026/09/29 12.18% 8.48% 6.84% 5.41% 7.31% 4.28% 3.89% 1.24% 1.43% 2.24%
2026/09/30 10.85% 10.02% 6.77% 5.67% 5.61% 4.31% 4.06% 2.77% 2.27% 1.99%
  • nordvpn.com
  • mcafee.com
  • forbes.com
  • cybernews.com
  • norton.com
  • expressvpn.com
  • surfshark.com
  • totalav.com
  • simplisafe.com
  • top10vpn.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, NordVPN’s PPC spend share fluctuated, peaking mid-month. McAfee’s share dipped early but recovered. Forbes and Cybernews saw steady gains, while Norton’s share declined. ExpressVPN and Surfshark experienced growth, with TotalAV and SimpliSafe showing mixed trends. Top10VPN remained stable.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for US Software & Technology Cybersecurity

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
2026/09/01 730
2026/09/02 808
2026/09/03 823
2026/09/04 857
2026/09/05 859
2026/09/06 855
2026/09/07 879
2026/09/08 875
2026/09/09 885
2026/09/10 848
2026/09/11 841
2026/09/12 820
2026/09/13 826
2026/09/14 745
2026/09/15 775
2026/09/16 777
2026/09/17 764
2026/09/18 767
2026/09/19 758
2026/09/20 796
2026/09/21 806
2026/09/22 795
2026/09/23 779
2026/09/24 769
2026/09/25 792
2026/09/26 783
2026/09/27 771
2026/09/28 784
2026/09/29 767
2026/09/30 750

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

September saw a dynamic shift in advertisers, starting at 730 and peaking at 885 mid-month. The month concluded with a slight decline, ending at 750.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for US Software & Technology Cybersecurity

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
expressvpn.com 1.58%
forbes.com 1.33%
beenverified.com 0.92%
okta.com 0.66%
webroot.com 0.62%
totalav.com -0.62%
nordvpn.com -1.11%
cloudflare.com -1.2%
simplisafe.com -1.59%
norton.com -2.83%

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

Forbes.com and expressvpn.com surged in click share, while norton.com and simplisafe.com faced declines.

Campaign Efficiency

US Software & Technology Cybersecurity Share of Impressions

Take a look at the Top 10 competitors in the industry by Share of Impressions over the last month.

Date nordvpn.com forbes.com cybernews.com expressvpn.com mcafee.com surfshark.com norton.com top10vpn.com apple.com malwarebytes.com
2026/09/01 13.97% 6.36% 9.59% 4.32% 5.88% 4.49% 7.17% 1.86% 2.01% 1.03%
2026/09/02 11.72% 5.4% 6.96% 3.21% 6.91% 3.36% 8.15% 2.41% 1.21% 1.26%
2026/09/03 10.92% 6.57% 7% 3.13% 6.59% 3.21% 8.09% 1.97% 1.74% 1.37%
2026/09/04 11.31% 5% 7.87% 2.5% 6.36% 2.91% 8.17% 1.93% 2.43% 1.71%
2026/09/05 12.07% 5.45% 8.51% 2.98% 6.18% 2.54% 7.96% 2.61% 1.95% 1.13%
2026/09/06 9.09% 8.62% 8.97% 2.64% 6.14% 1.77% 7.79% 2.96% 1.92% 1.07%
2026/09/07 8.28% 9.11% 8.66% 2.6% 6.04% 2.46% 8.17% 2.53% 1.59% 1.27%
2026/09/08 10.76% 7.33% 7.22% 2.38% 4.57% 2.96% 8.07% 1.86% 1.89% 2.04%
2026/09/09 11.89% 6.69% 8.27% 2.9% 5.02% 3.92% 6.77% 4.06% 2.49% 1.36%
2026/09/10 12.81% 7.34% 6.41% 4.37% 5.13% 3.45% 5.35% 2.26% 2.74% 1.28%
2026/09/11 13.5% 6.25% 7.09% 3.9% 4.91% 3.64% 6.29% 2.26% 2.62% 1.92%
2026/09/12 12.36% 5.38% 6.21% 4.38% 4.78% 4.22% 5.8% 1.75% 2.85% 2.58%
2026/09/13 14.12% 5.84% 6.64% 4.21% 4.3% 3.87% 5.89% 2.75% 2.79% 3.63%
2026/09/14 13.9% 5.63% 4.72% 5.02% 4.55% 3.09% 5% 3.04% 2.99% 2.92%
2026/09/15 13.05% 6.41% 5.99% 5.83% 5.22% 2.4% 4.61% 3.18% 3.06% 2.9%
2026/09/16 13.57% 5.99% 5.38% 7.09% 5.34% 3.31% 4.96% 2.7% 2.37% 2.58%
2026/09/17 11.6% 7.48% 6.88% 7.22% 5.06% 2.81% 4.71% 1.67% 2.9% 3.33%
2026/09/18 12.49% 8.91% 7.98% 5.78% 4.63% 2.17% 3.46% 2.87% 3.12% 2.67%
2026/09/19 12.46% 9.12% 7.45% 5.83% 4.98% 2.28% 4.16% 3.37% 2.67% 3.15%
2026/09/20 11.83% 9.83% 6.97% 5.99% 4.88% 3.03% 3.59% 3.06% 2.46% 2.67%
2026/09/21 11.32% 8.96% 6.09% 5.47% 5.14% 2.61% 4.4% 2.93% 2.98% 2.71%
2026/09/22 11.59% 9.15% 7.45% 5.51% 5.05% 2.71% 3.67% 3.08% 2.82% 2.18%
2026/09/23 10.6% 9.09% 9.24% 5.6% 5.09% 3.33% 3.45% 4.18% 2.22% 1.99%
2026/09/24 11.2% 10.39% 8.74% 5.65% 6.04% 3.3% 3.95% 1.56% 2.37% 1.23%
2026/09/25 11.08% 8.98% 6.57% 6.06% 5.9% 4.39% 4.13% 2.43% 2.46% 2.02%
2026/09/26 11.33% 8.68% 6.49% 4.92% 5.77% 4.81% 4.31% 3.45% 1.7% 1.84%
2026/09/27 10.84% 8.15% 5.56% 7.17% 5.62% 5.31% 4.02% 2.24% 2.01% 1.16%
2026/09/28 10.72% 8.72% 5.95% 5.63% 5.27% 6.27% 2.94% 3.71% 2.13% 1.66%
2026/09/29 11.32% 8.04% 7.05% 5.42% 5.02% 4.93% 4.17% 2.74% 2.18% 1.27%
2026/09/30 10.68% 7.26% 7.08% 5.29% 5.19% 4.59% 3.49% 2.59% 2.28% 1.29%
  • nordvpn.com
  • forbes.com
  • cybernews.com
  • expressvpn.com
  • mcafee.com
  • surfshark.com
  • norton.com
  • top10vpn.com
  • apple.com
  • malwarebytes.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

NordVPN’s impression share fluctuated, peaking at 14.12% mid-month. Forbes saw a steady rise, ending at 7.26%. Cybernews experienced ups and downs, closing at 7.08%. ExpressVPN’s share increased, finishing at 5.29%. McAfee remained stable, ending at 5.19%. Surfshark’s share rose, closing at 4.59%. Norton saw a decline, ending at 3.49%. Top10VPN fluctuated, finishing at 2.59%. Apple showed slight growth, ending at 2.28%. Malwarebytes remained low, closing at 1.29%.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Software & Technology Cybersecurity

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 Software & Technology Cybersecurity - Last month
  1. 1
    Safari - Private Browsing https://www.apple.com

    Switch to a browser that protects your privacy. Make Safari your default browser.

  2. 2
    Best and Worst VPNs of 2026 - We Ranked Them All https://www.forbes.com › compare › best-vpn

    Connect Your Devices Securely To The Web With The Good High Bandwidth & Fast VPN Services.

  3. 3
    Microsoft Security | AI-Powered Cybersecurity https://www.microsoft.com

    Discover how Security Copilot brings AI-powered defense into your workflow. Learn more. Safeguard your AI, clouds, apps, data, devices, and identities with Microsoft Security.

  4. 4
    The world's leading VPN https://www.nordvpn.com

    The best VPN for 2026 — NordVPN: reliable VPN for every device. Enjoy enhanced online security and privacy. No more...

  5. 5
    Top 10 Best Free VPNs in 2026 https://www.top10vpn.com › best-vpn › usa

    We Tested Them All — Extremely Fast Speeds. The Best VPNs Compatible with Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS & More.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the realm of Google PPC, Apple champions privacy with Safari, while Forbes and Top10VPN guide users through VPN choices. Microsoft showcases AI-driven cybersecurity, and NordVPN emphasizes reliability and security. Each ad uniquely addresses privacy, security, and user empowerment.

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