US Software & Technology Payroll / Accounting - PPC Market Share Analysis September 2026

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

Payroll / Accounting – US

Google AI Overview visibility for Software & Technology Payroll / Accounting 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 52.5457869047
47.4542130953
52%

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 29
71
28%

Search Intent Distribution

Breakdown of search queries by their underlying goal.

Intent Distribution
Investigational 10%
Transactional 7%
Navigational 21%
Seasonal 0%
Local 0%
Problem Solving 11%

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Market Exposure

Share of Clicks for top 10 US Software & Technology Payroll / Accounting 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
quickbooks.intuit.com 58.41
turbotax.intuit.com 7.61
paycom.com 6.57
gusto.com 5.29
sage.com 2.87
xero.com 2.63
adp.com 1.51
freshbooks.com 1.46
paycor.com 1.37
invoicehome.com 1.15
others 11.13
  • quickbooks.intuit.com - 58.41%
  • turbotax.intuit.com - 7.61%
  • paycom.com - 6.57%
  • gusto.com - 5.29%
  • sage.com - 2.87%
  • xero.com - 2.63%
  • adp.com - 1.51%
  • freshbooks.com - 1.46%
  • paycor.com - 1.37%
  • invoicehome.com - 1.15%
  • others - 11.13%

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QuickBooks dominates with 58.41% click share, overshadowing TurboTax’s 7.61%. Others collectively hold 11.13%, highlighting diverse competition.

Market Exposure

Share of Spend for the top 10 US Software & Technology Payroll / Accounting 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 sage.com quickbooks.intuit.com xero.com gusto.com adp.com freshbooks.com paycom.com forbes.com bill.com getjobber.com
2026/09/01 9.77% 38.72% 6.19% 7.38% 8.36% 3.21% 1.99% 1.17% 2.37% 1.02%
2026/09/02 9.17% 43.72% 5.84% 5.38% 3.91% 2.82% 1.96% 2.89% 1.11% 2.91%
2026/09/03 7.23% 43.02% 6.55% 6.74% 3.56% 3.11% 1.84% 2.6% 0.96% 3.06%
2026/09/04 8.37% 44.8% 6.12% 5.27% 3.94% 3.1% 2.07% 1.26% 1.98% 1.22%
2026/09/05 7.96% 40.15% 8.58% 6.85% 3.88% 3.5% 1.61% 1.97% 0.47% 1.18%
2026/09/06 6.33% 37.73% 6.91% 8.23% 5.01% 4.21% 1.89% 2.85% 0.29% 1.04%
2026/09/07 7.26% 31.58% 6.78% 8.11% 4.67% 3.18% 1.68% 4.32% 2.4% 1.13%
2026/09/08 6.73% 36.08% 6.7% 5.7% 3.55% 3.7% 1.8% 3.01% 2.84% 1.58%
2026/09/09 4.95% 35.53% 6.52% 6.53% 3.76% 3.76% 1.66% 4.24% 3.62% 2.27%
2026/09/10 8.71% 34.74% 5.98% 7.23% 3.67% 3.78% 1.63% 4.07% 2.92% 1.68%
2026/09/11 14.95% 30.37% 3.93% 8.37% 3.26% 2.85% 1.79% 2.85% 2.96% 1.71%
2026/09/12 18.35% 29.4% 4.21% 6.23% 4.14% 4.28% 1.47% 1.68% 2.01% 2.64%
2026/09/13 18.76% 26.4% 4.82% 6.38% 4.07% 4.88% 1.78% 2.48% 1.24% 2.92%
2026/09/14 20.94% 24.92% 5% 6.06% 3.68% 3.38% 1.87% 3.49% 2.63% 2.66%
2026/09/15 20.91% 28.64% 5.74% 5.55% 4.23% 3.39% 1.77% 2.81% 2.74% 2.04%
2026/09/16 24.32% 25.67% 6.73% 5.56% 3.81% 3.42% 1.81% 1.39% 2.34% 3.84%
2026/09/17 26.14% 25.25% 5.48% 4.44% 3.59% 2.85% 1.47% 2.79% 2.07% 2.41%
2026/09/18 23.7% 26.13% 3.2% 6.32% 3.36% 2.9% 1.84% 2.12% 2.75% 2.67%
2026/09/19 24.64% 23.4% 2.75% 6.72% 6.24% 3.91% 1.8% 2.2% 1.58% 2.62%
2026/09/20 22.66% 25.55% 3.74% 5.61% 5.88% 3.76% 2% 1.97% 1.76% 2.83%
2026/09/21 21.38% 27.06% 3.81% 5.21% 5.64% 3.93% 1.75% 1.31% 3.07% 2.31%
2026/09/22 22.75% 25.55% 5.5% 5.01% 4.91% 3.13% 2.07% 1.88% 2.51% 1.62%
2026/09/23 22.91% 26.19% 4.93% 4.75% 5.79% 3.15% 2.3% 1.36% 3.17% 1.91%
2026/09/24 23.06% 25.4% 11.24% 4.14% 5.16% 2.97% 2.35% 1.04% 2.24% 1.24%
2026/09/25 23.09% 23.59% 7.67% 6.76% 5.58% 3.36% 1.98% 0.93% 2.48% 1.33%
2026/09/26 24.57% 24.13% 9.15% 6.65% 5.32% 3.52% 2.3% 1.13% 1.9% 1.34%
2026/09/27 23.6% 24.82% 9.68% 4.14% 6.83% 3.89% 2.35% 1% 1.55% 1.04%
2026/09/28 25.52% 26.24% 8.76% 4.57% 4.43% 3.29% 2.17% 1.48% 1.15% 2.35%
2026/09/29 26.73% 26.82% 7.69% 4.01% 4.01% 3.31% 2.07% 2.41% 1.18% 1.56%
2026/09/30 28.65% 27.65% 7.62% 3.74% 3.71% 3.42% 2.16% 1.96% 1.65% 1.53%
  • sage.com
  • quickbooks.intuit.com
  • xero.com
  • gusto.com
  • adp.com
  • freshbooks.com
  • paycom.com
  • forbes.com
  • bill.com
  • getjobber.com

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Sage.com surged from 4.95% to 28.65% by month’s end. Quickbooks.intuit.com started strong at 38.72%, ending at 27.65%. Xero.com fluctuated, closing at 7.62%. Gusto.com declined to 3.74%. Adp.com saw a dip, finishing at 3.71%. Freshbooks.com remained steady, ending at 3.42%. Paycom.com showed slight growth, closing at 2.16%. Forbes.com varied, ending at 1.96%. Bill.com fluctuated, finishing at 1.65%. Getjobber.com remained stable, closing at 1.53%.

Market Exposure

Competitor Count for US Software & Technology Payroll / Accounting

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
2026/09/01 451
2026/09/02 497
2026/09/03 510
2026/09/04 533
2026/09/05 520
2026/09/06 553
2026/09/07 544
2026/09/08 540
2026/09/09 544
2026/09/10 527
2026/09/11 513
2026/09/12 520
2026/09/13 524
2026/09/14 454
2026/09/15 471
2026/09/16 487
2026/09/17 482
2026/09/18 486
2026/09/19 468
2026/09/20 488
2026/09/21 506
2026/09/22 498
2026/09/23 492
2026/09/24 503
2026/09/25 505
2026/09/26 504
2026/09/27 501
2026/09/28 494
2026/09/29 491
2026/09/30 469

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

September saw a dynamic shift in advertisers, starting at 451 and peaking at 553 mid-month. The month concluded with a slight decline, ending at 469.

Campaign Efficiency

Market Loss & Market Gains for US Software & Technology Payroll / Accounting

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
sage.com 1.67%
adp.com 0.36%
paycom.com 0.36%
gusto.com 0.33%
xero.com 0.25%
invoicehome.com -0.16%
paycor.com -0.16%
ramp.com -0.2%
turbotax.intuit.com -0.33%
quickbooks.intuit.com -1.58%

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Sage.com surged with a 1.67 increase, while QuickBooks faced a 1.58 decline. ADP and Paycom both rose by 0.36.

Campaign Efficiency

US Software & Technology Payroll / Accounting Share of Impressions

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

Date quickbooks.intuit.com sage.com xero.com gusto.com freshbooks.com paycom.com turbotax.intuit.com bill.com forbes.com adp.com
2026/09/01 32.6% 3.44% 8.97% 10.66% 3.43% 3.22% 3.06% 1.87% 2.22% 5.44%
2026/09/02 35.28% 2.94% 8.4% 7.15% 4.32% 3.3% 3.39% 1.41% 2.29% 3.82%
2026/09/03 33.63% 2.45% 8.8% 10.85% 4% 2.99% 3.31% 1.19% 1.91% 2.68%
2026/09/04 38.87% 2.82% 7.47% 8.74% 4.27% 3.55% 3.04% 1.49% 0.95% 2.57%
2026/09/05 32.05% 2.65% 8.6% 11.04% 4.94% 2.74% 2.77% 0.24% 1.99% 3.26%
2026/09/06 31.01% 2.57% 7.68% 11.96% 5.28% 2.85% 2.64% 0.18% 3.37% 3.23%
2026/09/07 28.58% 2.64% 7.8% 9.98% 4.02% 2.69% 2.32% 3.68% 3.06% 2.36%
2026/09/08 30.87% 2.12% 8.16% 7.43% 5.21% 2.83% 2.47% 4.05% 1.88% 1.58%
2026/09/09 31.71% 1.47% 8.08% 9.06% 5.16% 2.76% 3.25% 2.73% 2.86% 1.89%
2026/09/10 31.02% 2.67% 7.25% 12.99% 4.3% 2.78% 3.13% 3.38% 2.38% 1.76%
2026/09/11 27.13% 5.26% 5.13% 16.08% 3.05% 2.96% 3.22% 2.11% 2.42% 2.1%
2026/09/12 31.36% 6.31% 5.47% 10.1% 4.4% 2.37% 2.67% 1.62% 2.21% 2.14%
2026/09/13 25.3% 6.74% 7.14% 9.42% 5.55% 2.93% 3.06% 1.34% 2.39% 3.38%
2026/09/14 23.36% 7.3% 6.84% 9.72% 3.89% 2.93% 2.96% 2.17% 4.12% 2.63%
2026/09/15 28.45% 7.65% 8.73% 8.49% 4.77% 3.04% 2.97% 2.02% 2.11% 3.84%
2026/09/16 29.33% 9.72% 8.6% 7.68% 5.35% 3.14% 3.16% 1.89% 2.64% 2.68%
2026/09/17 28.05% 10.18% 7.21% 7.42% 4.44% 2.56% 3.07% 1.62% 5.26% 2.24%
2026/09/18 27.58% 9.38% 3.45% 9.39% 4.28% 3.22% 3.29% 2.41% 5.07% 1.46%
2026/09/19 25.25% 8.92% 3.06% 11.99% 5.97% 2.92% 3.2% 0.97% 5.41% 3.15%
2026/09/20 27.66% 8.74% 4.45% 8.36% 6.62% 3.11% 3.08% 1.2% 3.78% 3.98%
2026/09/21 28.07% 8.13% 4.28% 8.92% 7.09% 2.71% 2.53% 3.89% 2.49% 3.5%
2026/09/22 27.33% 8.99% 8.34% 6.6% 4.55% 3.48% 3.21% 1.95% 2.44% 2.32%
2026/09/23 26.9% 8.93% 7.15% 8.29% 4.84% 3.75% 2.61% 2.21% 2.07% 3.79%
2026/09/24 28.61% 9.66% 11.14% 6.08% 4.99% 4.1% 2.93% 3.02% 1.52% 1.97%
2026/09/25 25.35% 7.88% 8.61% 9.98% 4.33% 2.71% 2.66% 2.63% 1.06% 3.04%
2026/09/26 26.55% 9.49% 11.06% 11.21% 5.31% 3.53% 2.92% 1.38% 2.11% 2.92%
2026/09/27 27.61% 9.1% 11.2% 6.21% 5.58% 3.74% 2.9% 1.07% 2.04% 4.56%
2026/09/28 33.06% 10.36% 10.38% 6.79% 5.17% 3.61% 3.32% 1.07% 1.6% 1.68%
2026/09/29 31.61% 10.43% 9.26% 6.17% 5.57% 3.48% 3.22% 1.38% 1.47% 1.4%
2026/09/30 31.86% 10.91% 7.31% 5.73% 5.67% 3.58% 3.08% 2.51% 2.14% 1.71%
  • quickbooks.intuit.com
  • sage.com
  • xero.com
  • gusto.com
  • freshbooks.com
  • paycom.com
  • turbotax.intuit.com
  • bill.com
  • forbes.com
  • adp.com

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In September 2026, QuickBooks led with fluctuating impressions, peaking early. Sage steadily rose, ending strong. Xero and Gusto showed mid-month volatility. FreshBooks and Paycom maintained moderate shares. TurboTax and Bill.com had minor shifts. Forbes and ADP saw varied trends.

Campaign Efficiency

Google Text Ad Copy Insights & Creative Trends for US Software & Technology Payroll / Accounting

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 Payroll / Accounting - Last month
  1. 1
    Quick Online Alternative - For Small Business Owners https://www.freshbooks.com

    Online Accounting Software Difficult? Business Owners Find FreshBooks Easier to Use.

  2. 2
    Quick and Easy Comparison | Free Account Setup https://www.gusto.com

    Gusto Automatically Calculates & Files Taxes. Switch To Gusto For Easy Payroll Compliance.

  3. 3
    QuickBooks® Online https://quickbooks.intuit.com › quickbooks › online

    QuickBooks® With Confidence — Accounting Agent Automates And Categorizes Transactions And Preps Your Books For Tax Time. Maximize Your Workflow With QuickBooks® AI Agents and Live Experts Learn How! Pay Employees.

  4. 4
    TurboTax® Official Site https://turbotax.intuit.com › official-site

    File Your Taxes Online — File Your Taxes Online w/ America's Leader In Taxes. File And Get Your Tax Refund. Simple Or...

  5. 5
    Quick & Easy Accounting - Accounting for Small Business https://www.xero.com › accounting › software

    Manage your business' financial tasks with Our easy-to-use accounting software.

Copyright © Adthena. All rights reserved.

In the competitive landscape of Google PPC, FreshBooks, Gusto, QuickBooks, TurboTax, and Xero captivate small business owners with promises of simplicity and efficiency. Their ads emphasize ease of use, automation, and compliance, resonating with entrepreneurs seeking streamlined financial solutions.

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