---
title: UK property portals & estate agents media reputation tracker – 2026 year to
  date
canonical_url: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd
type: dataset
publisher: Omniscan
sector: UK Property Portals & Estate Agents
period: 2026 year to date
coverage_start: '2026-01-01'
coverage_end: '2026-09-30'
date_published: '2026-10-04'
last_updated: '2026-10-04'
organisations: 10
articles_analysed: 16634
mentions: 6004
data_download: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/data.json
summary: Rightmove had the highest average monthly share of coverage (26.8%) among
  10 companies in UK earned media from 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2026, ahead
  of Savills (20.0%) and Knight Frank (16.5%).
---

# UK property portals & estate agents media reputation tracker: 2026 year to date (1 January 2026–30 September 2026)

> Rightmove had the highest average monthly share of coverage (26.8%) among 10 companies in UK earned media from 1 January 2026 to 30 September 2026, ahead of Savills (20.0%) and Knight Frank (16.5%). Chestertons had the most favourable net tone (+26). Omniscan analysed 16,634 articles containing 6,004 mentions of the companies tracked.

Interactive version: https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd

## UK Property Portals & Estate Agents ranking by share of coverage, 2026 year to date

| Rank | Organisation | Average monthly share of coverage | Mentions | Positive | Neutral | Negative | Net tone |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Rightmove | 26.8% | 1,593 | 11% | 81% | 8% | +3 |
| 2 | Savills | 20.0% | 1,201 | 23% | 76% | 1% | +23 |
| 3 | Knight Frank | 16.5% | 993 | 18% | 81% | 1% | +17 |
| 4 | Zoopla | 15.0% | 910 | 8% | 91% | 1% | +7 |
| 5 | Hamptons | 7.3% | 439 | 2% | 97% | 1% | +1 |
| 6 | Connells | 5.2% | 311 | 22% | 69% | 9% | +14 |
| 7 | Foxtons | 3.4% | 207 | 19% | 61% | 20% | −1 |
| 8 | OnTheMarket | 3.2% | 195 | 6% | 92% | 2% | +3 |
| 9 | Chestertons | 1.4% | 85 | 26% | 74% | 0% | +26 |
| 10 | Purplebricks | 1.1% | 70 | 17% | 50% | 33% | −16 |

## Monthly share of coverage, UK Property Portals & Estate Agents

| Organisation | January 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | August 2026 | September 2026 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rightmove | 23.5% | 32.6% | 20.8% | 30.4% | 27.5% | 24.2% | 26.4% | 28.9% | 27.1% |
| Savills | 19.1% | 17.3% | 25.9% | 16.9% | 20.6% | 18.8% | 18.7% | 23.9% | 18.6% |
| Knight Frank | 14.3% | 15.3% | 17.6% | 18.7% | 16.6% | 19.3% | 15.1% | 14.0% | 17.4% |
| Zoopla | 18.2% | 13.7% | 15.2% | 10.9% | 12.9% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 17.3% | 15.9% |
| Hamptons | 11.1% | 6.4% | 6.3% | 7.3% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 7.4% | 6.6% | 5.8% |
| Connells | 3.3% | 6.4% | 4.1% | 6.0% | 5.7% | 6.9% | 6.2% | 4.7% | 3.7% |
| Foxtons | 4.3% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 4.2% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 4.6% | 1.7% | 3.6% |
| OnTheMarket | 4.7% | 3.3% | 3.9% | 0.6% | 3.2% | 3.6% | 3.7% | 1.3% | 4.1% |
| Chestertons | 0.7% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 3.6% | 0.6% | 1.8% | 0.9% | 0.8% | 1.2% |
| Purplebricks | 0.9% | 0.3% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 0.2% | 0.8% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 2.5% |

## Companies in detail

### Rightmove

**Rightmove leads as technology, litigation and investment reshape coverage**

Rightmove ranked 1st of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (26.8%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 1,593 mentions and a net tone of +3.

Rightmove led the benchmark with 1,593 mentions, a 26.5% pooled share and a 26.8% average monthly share of tracked-company mentions, ranking first on both period measures. It ranked first in eight of nine months, with March the sole interruption when its share fell to 20.8% and it placed second. The year opened with record Boxing Day traffic, increased buyer enquiries and new listings, followed in February by the NatWest mortgage partnership and full-year results that combined profit growth with a defence of increased technology investment. March coverage examined whether proprietary data and agent relationships protected the portal from emerging search technology, while commentary also questioned its established model. Rightmove returned to first place in April as reporting encompassed the £1.5 billion agent-fees claim, its rejection of the allegations, stamp-duty reform proposals and the launch of an equity tracker. May and June extended the corporate agenda through reaffirmed guidance, preparations for the legal hearing, home-moving reform work and Rightmove's move from the FTSE 100 to the FTSE 250. July brought half-year results, a lower revenue-growth forecast linked to weak new-home construction, and further scrutiny of fees and litigation costs. August combined property-market research with the integration of enhanced lettings leads into Alto and the announcement of approximately £330 million in share buybacks. In September, coverage broadened into ownership and governance after Sachem Head reportedly acquired a 6% stake and Rightmove appointed David Thomas and Rosemary Leith to its board. Throughout the window, Rightmove's asking-price and housing-market research supplied the largest recurring strand, while corporate, regulatory, product and investment stories periodically widened its profile beyond market data.

Key messages:

- Rightmove accounted for 26.5% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #1-#2 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Housing Policy & Market Regulation.
- Visibility peaked in February 2026 at 32.6%, compared with 20.8% in March 2026.
- January 2026: Rightmove reported record Boxing Day traffic, higher buyer enquiries and more new listings — Property Industry Eye.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 61.7% of Rightmove's coverage (theme index 1.25, net tone 0)
- Housing Policy & Market Regulation: 10.3% of Rightmove's coverage (theme index 0.88, net tone +8)
- Financial Results & Trading: 7.9% of Rightmove's coverage (theme index 1.76, net tone +8)

Notable positive coverage:

- 7 January 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Rightmove records 'busiest ever' Boxing Day bounce](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/01/rightmove-records-busiest-ever-boxing-day-bounce/). Rightmove said Boxing Day 2025 was its busiest ever day for visits, with traffic up 93% from Christmas Day. The portal also reported increased buyer enquiries and new sale listings in the days after Christmas.
- 7 January 2026, thisismoney.co.uk: [Record number browsed Rightmove on 26 December](https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-15438907/Record-number-home-hunters-browsed-Rightmove-Boxing-Day.html). Rightmove reported record Boxing Day traffic and a sharp post-Christmas rise in listings and buyer enquiries. The data suggests stronger early-2026 moving activity after late-2025 uncertainty.
- 7 January 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [Rightmove reports record-breaking Boxing Day figures](https://propertyindustryeye.com/rightmove-reports-record-breaking-boxing-day-figures-2/). Rightmove reported record Boxing Day activity, including a 93% increase in visits from Christmas Day and a substantial increase in new listings. Enquiries sent to estate agents also rose significantly in the following five days.

Notable negative coverage:

- 1 April 2026, reuters.com: [UK's Rightmove hit with $2 billion lawsuit over estate agent fees](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/uks-rightmove-hit-with-2-billion-lawsuit-over-estate-agent-fees-2026-04-01/). Rightmove has been sued for £1.5bn over allegations that it charged excessive subscription fees to estate agents and developers. The company rejects the claim as meritless and says it will defend itself.
- 22 June 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [Rightmove share price falls after FTSE 100 exit](https://propertyindustryeye.com/rightmove-share-price-falls-after-ftse-100-exit/). Rightmove has moved from the FTSE 100 to the FTSE 250 after a prolonged share-price decline, with shares down sharply over the past year. The article also notes AI investment, activist pressure, litigation, rejected REA takeover approaches and maintained 2026 guidance.
- 24 August 2026, marketwatch.com: [Rightmove falls Monday, underperforms market](https://www.marketwatch.com/data-news/rightmove-falls-monday-underperforms-market-608a38c8-6e2437f6da23). Rightmove shares fell 1.37% in a positive wider London market session and traded 35.03% below their 52-week high. The automated report provides market-performance data only.

- [Rightmove deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=rightmove&view=deep-dive)
- [Rightmove PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/rightmove.pdf)

### Savills

**Eastdil and trading updates shaped Savills’ year-to-date visibility**

Savills ranked 2nd of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (20.0%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 1,201 mentions and a net tone of +23.

Savills recorded 1,201 mentions from January to September, representing 20.0% of tracked-company mentions and placing it second on both pooled and average monthly share. It ranked second in January and February before moving to first in March, when its share rose 8.5 percentage points to 25.9%. Stories that month included the announced acquisition of Eastdil Secured and annual results showing higher revenue and underlying pre-tax profit. Savills then fell to third in April at 16.9%, alongside reporting on its acquisition of Mark Tunstall Property, a £55m auction and criticism of delays affecting Build to Rent delivery. It returned to second in May, while June brought higher volume but a lower 18.8% share and third place as the tracked-company total expanded. May coverage included a trading update maintaining the 2026 outlook despite slower residential transactions, while June combined housing-supply research, planning-policy intervention and auction performance. Savills moved back to second in July, with reporting spanning prime London consolidation, commercial instructions and a £41m auction. Its share rose to 23.9% in August, still second, as the completed Eastdil acquisition and first-half profit growth received extensive independent coverage. September’s share was 18.6%, again second, with leadership appointments, its largest September auction catalogue and residential-market research prominent in the available articles. Across the period, the profile broadened from research, regional operations and appointments into major corporate transactions and results, before returning to a more varied mix of people, policy and market activity.

Key messages:

- Savills accounted for 20% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #1-#3 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Prime, Commercial & International.
- Visibility peaked in March 2026 at 25.9%, compared with 16.9% in April 2026.
- January 2026: Savills announced plans to relocate 170 Cambridge employees across three new premises — Property Industry Eye.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 34.2% of Savills's coverage (theme index 0.6, net tone 0)
- Prime, Commercial & International: 26.0% of Savills's coverage (theme index 4.87, net tone +25)
- Housing Policy & Market Regulation: 9.4% of Savills's coverage (theme index 0.8, net tone 0)

Notable positive coverage:

- 14 January 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [75 years strong: Savills office marks a major milestone](https://propertyindustryeye.com/75-years-strong-savills-office-marks-a-major-milestone/). Savills has marked the 75th anniversary of opening its Norwich office with a tree-planting event. The office employs 44 people across residential, development and rural work in Norfolk and north Suffolk.
- 15 January 2026, propertyweek.com: [Savills to relocate Cambridge office to three new premises](https://www.propertyweek.com/news/savills-relocates-its-cambridge-office-to-three-different-premises). Savills will relocate its Cambridge operations into three new offices under 10-year leases. The move supports its local growth plans and accommodates its 170 staff.
- 16 January 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [Savills plans to move its Cambridge office to three new premises in the city](https://propertyindustryeye.com/savills-plans-to-move-its-cambridge-office-to-three-new-premises-in-the-city/). Savills plans to relocate 170 Cambridge staff from Unex House across three new city premises on 10-year leases. The group says the move supports growth, staff flexibility and its long-term commitment to Cambridge.

Notable negative coverage:

- 30 January 2026, businesstimes.com.sg: [Even London’s ever-optimistic brokers see gloom for luxury homes](https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/even-londons-ever-optimistic-brokers-see-gloom-luxury-homes). The article highlights Savills' historically over-optimistic forecasts for prime central London prices and its revised expectation of further declines. Knight Frank is cited as expecting flat prime central London prices in 2026.
- 16 February 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Property shares tumble as AI fears grip investors](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/news/proptech/property-shares-tumble-as-ai-fears-grip-investors/). Savills shares fell 7.5% amid investor concern that AI could disrupt labour-intensive property and agency business models. The article presents longer-term AI risks to advisory margins as uncertain but significant.
- 31 July 2026, leicestermercury.co.uk: [Gym-goer 'carries attack alarm' as car park plunged into darkness after fire](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/scared-gym-goer-now-carries-11087170). Savills, manager of Thurmaston Shopping Centre, responded to safety concerns about unlit parking areas after a fire disrupted power supplies. The firm said it was working with National Grid to restore power to common areas.

- [Savills deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=savills&view=deep-dive)
- [Savills PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/savills.pdf)

### Knight Frank

**Knight Frank ranks third overall, with monthly positions second to fourth**

Knight Frank ranked 3rd of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (16.5%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 993 mentions and a net tone of +17.

Knight Frank recorded 993 mentions from January to September, representing 16.5% of tracked-company mentions and placing third on both pooled and average monthly share. It began in fourth place at 14.3% in January, when independent reporting covered its targeted global expansion, the Brighton Palace Pier sale instruction and the launch of a residential Investment Desk. Share rose through February and March before reaching 18.7% and second place in April, alongside the launch of an affiliate-broker model covering 36 target markets. May brought a retreat to third place, while coverage included the Modlin Group alliance, leasehold-reform concerns and an expanded living-sectors team. Knight Frank returned to second place with its period-high 19.3% share in June, when stories included Tim Robinson’s appointment as the next UK managing partner, the recruitment of Liza-Jane Kelly and a redundancy consultation affecting fewer than 3% of the UK workforce. Its share then fell to 15.1% in July and 14.0% in August, leaving the firm fourth in both months amid continued reporting on senior appointments, affiliate recruitment and advisory instructions. September produced a recovery to 17.4% and third place, contemporaneous with the Melbourne office opening, Chris Davis’s appointment as group chief financial officer and the Cowbridge portfolio instruction. Market research remained a large component throughout most of the window, ranging from prime London conditions and mortgage-rate uncertainty to care-home capacity, student accommodation investment and global prime-market forecasts. Commercial and prime-property work supplied a persistent second strand, while leadership and operational change became much more prominent from June. The overall profile combined a durable research voice with expansion, appointments and transaction mandates, while competitive visibility varied materially across the nine months.

Key messages:

- Knight Frank accounted for 16.5% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #2-#4 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Prime, Commercial & International.
- Visibility peaked in June 2026 at 19.3%, compared with 14% in August 2026.
- January 2026: Knight Frank outlined targeted expansion across key global hubs in PrimeResi.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 44.2% of Knight Frank's coverage (theme index 0.81, net tone 0)
- Prime, Commercial & International: 24.8% of Knight Frank's coverage (theme index 3.86, net tone +31)
- Leadership & People: 10.5% of Knight Frank's coverage (theme index 2.78, net tone +66)

Notable positive coverage:

- 2 January 2026, cityam.com: [Knight Frank appointed for bumper Brighton Palace Pier sale](https://www.cityam.com/knight-frank-appointed-for-bumper-brighton-palace-pier-sale/). Knight Frank has been instructed to advise on the sale of Brighton Palace Pier for Brighton Pier Group. The group is divesting leisure assets amid challenging trading conditions and higher costs.
- 8 January 2026, propertyweek.com: [Knight Frank appoints Colliers’ Dane to London capital markets team](https://www.propertyweek.com/news/dane-joins-knight-frank-as-partner-from-colliers). Knight Frank has appointed Nicolai Dane as a partner in its London capital markets and development team. The firm says the hire will support its capital-raising advisory work.
- 12 January 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Knight Frank bolsters London lettings business](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/movers-and-shakers/knight-frank-bolsters-london-lettings-business/). Knight Frank has appointed three lettings managers across its London branches to support growth and market share. The firm says the appointments follow a record year for its lettings business.

Notable negative coverage:

- 3 September 2026, estatesgazette.co.uk: [Look after 'em or lose 'em](https://www.estatesgazette.co.uk/news/look-after-em-or-lose-em/). The article criticises restrictive tenant rules and charges at Shard Place, including Knight Frank's advice that a tenant add their partner to the lease to obtain a key card. It argues that poor resident experience can damage build-to-rent landlords' reputations and occupancy.
- 24 June 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Knight Frank confirms job losses in UK business](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/news/agencies-people-news/knight-frank-confirms-job-losses-in-uk-business/). Knight Frank has begun a UK redundancy consultation affecting fewer than 3% of its workforce. The announcement follows recent plans for a change in UK managing partner and other business initiatives.
- 24 June 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Agency confirms redundancy talks with 90 staff](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/06/knight-frank-confirms-redundancy-talks-with-90-staff/). Knight Frank has begun a redundancy consultation involving fewer than 3% of its UK workforce, potentially around 90 staff. The consultation follows a reported 6.3% rise in annual UK revenue.

- [Knight Frank deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=knightfrank&view=deep-dive)
- [Knight Frank PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/knightfrank.pdf)

### Zoopla

**Zoopla broadens its profile beyond property search**

Zoopla ranked 4th of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (15.0%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 910 mentions and a net tone of +7.

Across the first nine months of 2026, Zoopla combined sustained housing-market analysis with a widening range of commercial, product and corporate stories. Its 15.2% pooled share and 15% average monthly share of tracked-company mentions both placed it fourth across the period. January’s third-place position accompanied renewals with Connells, Andrews and Taylor Wimpey, alongside reporting on buyer demand and housing supply. February brought the acquisition of newhomesforsale.co.uk and a renewed Persimmon partnership, although Zoopla’s share fell to 13.7% and its rank to fourth. In March and April, valuation-lead growth and new-home product updates were followed by redesigned agent pages and an enterprise technology agreement covering property search and customer engagement. May added first-quarter revenue growth, a landlord information hub and Zoopla’s stated ambition to operate as a broader homeowner and agent platform. June and July brought new or renewed developer agreements, stamp-duty reform proposals, revised membership packages for smaller agencies and an Airtasker partnership; Zoopla returned to third place in July. August’s third-place share accompanied extensive market research and Providence Equity Partners’ agreement to acquire Hometrack. September combined Zoopla’s return to statutory profit, a three-year agreement with Stags and chief operating officer Rich Hayes’s departure, while its rank returned to fourth. Taken together, the coverage established market data as Zoopla’s principal source of visibility while giving greater prominence to its new-homes expansion, agent proposition, technology investment and corporate position.

Key messages:

- Zoopla accounted for 15.2% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #3-#4 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Housing Policy & Market Regulation.
- Visibility peaked in January 2026 at 18.2%, compared with 10.9% in April 2026.
- January 2026: Taylor Wimpey renewed its Zoopla listing agreement after a reported increase in new-home buyer leads, covered by City A.M.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 72.6% of Zoopla's coverage (theme index 1.48, net tone 0)
- Housing Policy & Market Regulation: 12.1% of Zoopla's coverage (theme index 1.08, net tone +3)
- Portal Competition & Agency Market Share: 4.9% of Zoopla's coverage (theme index 2.4, net tone +44)

Notable positive coverage:

- 15 January 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Large agency inks new deal with Zoopla](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/news/marketing-news/large-agency-inks-new-deal-with-zoopla/). Andrews Property Group has signed a three-year renewal to list properties with Zoopla across its 40 branches. The portal says its valuation leads and lead-conversion support helped secure the agreement; the article also notes Connells' separate five-year Zoopla contract.
- 15 January 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Andrews extends Zoopla listings agreement](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/01/andrews-extends-zoopla-listings-agreement/). Andrews renewed its Zoopla listing agreement for three years covering its 40 southern England branches. Andrews said Zoopla had increased valuation leads and delivered a 22% rise in leads converted to sales instructions during 2025.
- 15 January 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [Andrews commits to Zoopla with new three-year deal](https://propertyindustryeye.com/andrews-commits-to-zoopla-with-new-three-year-deal/). Andrews renewed its Zoopla partnership for three years, covering all 40 branches. The article also notes Connells Group's five-year Zoopla contract covering 1,263 branches and 86 agency brands.

Notable negative coverage:

- 26 June 2026, propertyweek.com: [nHabit’s Steven Charlton on taking on the Rightmove and Zoopla duopoly](https://www.propertyweek.com/video-and-podcasts/nhabits-steven-charlton-on-taking-on-the-rightmove-and-zoopla-duopoly). New rental-search platform nHabit says it aims to challenge the established Rightmove and Zoopla portal duopoly using AI-led lifestyle and travel-time search. The story also references Rightmove's agent-fee class action and OnTheMarket's previous competitive efforts.
- 24 March 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [ESPC ranks above Rightmove and Zoopla among Scottish buyers and sellers](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/03/espc-ranks-above-rightmove-and-zoopla-among-scottish-buyers-and-sellers/). A regional survey found ESPC was the preferred portal among buyers and sellers in several Scottish areas, ahead of Rightmove and Zoopla. ESPC said its local service and solicitor-estate-agent membership supported its position.

- [Zoopla deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=zoopla&view=deep-dive)
- [Zoopla PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/zoopla.pdf)

### Hamptons

**Research authority sustained Hamptons through a broader property agenda**

Hamptons ranked 5th of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (7.3%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 439 mentions and a net tone of +1.

Hamptons recorded 439 mentions from January to September, representing 7.3% of tracked-company mentions on both pooled and average-monthly measures. It ranked fifth on both measures and occupied fifth place in every month except June, sharing fifth place with Connells in February; in June, it slipped to sixth. January provided its strongest visibility, with an 11.1% share and 83 mentions, alongside reporting on falling rents, loss-making London sales and its £150,000 fundraising for Mind. The early profile broadened in February when Hamptons returned to television with The Right Pair of Shoes, although its share fell to 6.4%. Spring coverage combined research on service charges, property flipping and landlord refinancing with sponsorship of The Transient Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Its share rose to 9.1% in May as articles included Hamptons’ findings on landlord consolidation, accelerating rents and increased North American demand for UK property. June brought a fall to 6.1% and sixth place; stories included its analysis of rising stamp-duty bills and rent increases after the Renters’ Rights Act. Hamptons returned to fifth in July as reporting covered slowing landlord sales, the risk of unsold former rental homes, a Portuguese co-branding partnership and two senior departures to Moveli. August combined research on discounted buy-to-let purchases with Hamptons’ guidance on shared-boundary responsibilities, while its share eased to 6.6%. September’s 5.8% share accompanied a more policy-led agenda and Hamptons’ 30-year comparison of buy-to-let and equity-market returns. Across the period, research remained the principal thread, but brand activity, sponsorship, international expansion, practical guidance and personnel stories gave the profile greater range.

Key messages:

- Hamptons accounted for 7.3% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #5-#6 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Housing Policy & Market Regulation.
- Visibility peaked in January 2026 at 11.1%, compared with 5.8% in September 2026.
- January 2026: Hamptons reported raising £150,000 for Mind since 2022, covered by Estate Agent Today.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 62.9% of Hamptons's coverage (theme index 1.21, net tone 0)
- Housing Policy & Market Regulation: 26.4% of Hamptons's coverage (theme index 2.6, net tone 0)
- Other: 5.5% of Hamptons's coverage (theme index 1.05, net tone +25)

Notable positive coverage:

- 11 February 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Hamptons returns to TV with as voiced by Peep Show star](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/02/hamptons-returns-to-tv-with-as-voiced-by-peep-show-star/). Hamptons has launched its third TV brand advert, The Right Pair of Shoes, as part of an integrated campaign across its branch network. The campaign is intended to build awareness and consideration for the agency.
- 9 April 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Hamptons reveals its 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show entry](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/04/hamptons-reveals-its-2026-rhs-chelsea-flower-show-entry/). Hamptons will sponsor The Transient Garden at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in collaboration with Garden Club London. The agency said the balcony garden reflects flexible and temporary urban living, following its Gold Medal win in 2025.
- 3 July 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Connells brand looks overseas for latest expansion](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/07/connells-brand-looks-overseas-for-latest-expansion/). Hamptons has entered a co-branding partnership with Algarve agency Cerro Novo to promote Portuguese properties to international and UK buyers. Listings will appear through Hamptons International and several overseas-facing property portals.

Notable negative coverage:

- 22 July 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Hamptons associate director becomes self-employed broker](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/07/hamptons-associate-director-becomes-self-employed-broker/). Former Hamptons associate director Mark Barnes has joined self-employed brokerage Moveli after 11 years at Hamptons.
- 8 July 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Long-standing Hamptons director joins fast-growing self-employed brokerage](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/07/hamptons-director-joins-fast-growing-self-employed-brokerage/). Long-serving Hamptons director Andrew Farmer has joined Moveli, a self-employed brokerage. Moveli presents the hire as evidence of experienced agents moving from traditional high-street agencies to technology-supported brokerages.

- [Hamptons deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=hamptons&view=deep-dive)
- [Hamptons PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/hamptons.pdf)

### Connells

**Digital expansion gave way to trading and tribunal scrutiny**

Connells ranked 6th of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (5.2%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 311 mentions and a net tone of +14.

Connells recorded 311 mentions from January to September, representing 5.2% of tracked-company mentions and sixth place on both pooled and average monthly share. Visibility opened at 3.3% and eighth place in January, when independent reporting covered the five-year Zoopla agreement, Alexander Rawlinson’s appointment and a three-day digital conveyancing completion. February’s rise to 6.4% and joint fifth place coincided with reports of 9% revenue growth and a 19% increase in pre-tax profit for 2025, alongside the acquisition of Denny & Salmond. The share fell to 4.1% in March, although coverage included the OnTheMarket listings partnership, further acquisitions and scrutiny of rental-property practices. April restored the share to 6.0%, with the digital home-buying service developed with Lloyds Banking Group and LMS becoming the principal named development. May combined market-data coverage with the Crofts acquisition, adoption of Cotality’s valuation platform and plans for a 60,000 sq ft Milton Keynes headquarters. Connells reached its highest monthly share, 6.9%, and fifth place in June, when stories ranged from the Bloor & Co integration and Countrywide training results to the former chief executive’s £7m employment claim. July’s 6.2% share accompanied reports of a first-half loss, sharply lower underlying profit and the tribunal findings of unfair dismissal and age discrimination. The share then receded to 4.7% in August and 3.7% in September, as market research became more prominent alongside the digital home-buying reform plan and Countrywide’s surveying recruitment. Across the period, Connells’ profile moved from partnerships, investment and expansion towards a more mixed account in which trading pressure and governance scrutiny sat beside continuing technology, research and workforce initiatives.

Key messages:

- Connells accounted for 5.2% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #5-#8 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Housing Policy & Market Regulation.
- Visibility peaked in June 2026 at 6.9%, compared with 3.3% in January 2026.
- January 2026: Connells signed a five-year agreement covering its agency network with Zoopla, reported by Property Industry Eye.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 45.3% of Connells's coverage (theme index 0.85, net tone 0)
- Housing Policy & Market Regulation: 14.5% of Connells's coverage (theme index 1.3, net tone +11)
- Other: 8.7% of Connells's coverage (theme index 1.73, net tone +44)

Notable positive coverage:

- 6 January 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Connells signs new five-year deal with Zoopla](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/news/marketing-news/connells-signs-new-five-year-deal-with-zoopla/). Connells Group has renewed its Zoopla listing contract for five years, covering 1,263 branches and 86 agency brands. Zoopla says the partnership delivered increased vendor leads and potential sales commission for Connells during 2025.
- 6 January 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Connells Group commits to Zoopla](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/01/connells-group-commits-to-zoopla/). Connells Group has signed a five-year agreement to continue listing properties on Zoopla across its 1,263 branches and 86 brands. Connells said Zoopla-generated vendor leads rose 12% in 2025, representing £18m of potential sales commission.
- 6 January 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [Connells Group signs five-year deal with Zoopla](https://propertyindustryeye.com/connells-group-signs-five-year-deal-with-zoopla/). Connells Group has agreed a five-year deal to continue listing properties from its estate-agency network on Zoopla. Connells said Zoopla delivered 12% vendor-lead growth in 2025 and up to £18m in potential sales commission.

Notable negative coverage:

- 3 May 2026, mirror.co.uk: ['I found a horrifying blood-soaked mattress after moving into my new home'](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/blood-mattress-new-home-student-37105701). A Norwich student alleged that Abbotts failed to provide a clean, habitable rental property and delayed handing over keys, leaving her to arrange alternative accommodation. Abbotts said it had worked to find an appropriate solution while acting for the landlord.
- 3 August 2026, lettingagenttoday.co.uk: [Lettings only glimmer of light in dire Connells results](https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/08/lettings-only-glimmer-of-light-in-dire-connells-results/). Connells reported underlying pre-tax profit of £2.0m in the first half, down from £24.9m a year earlier, as estate-agency transactions fell 7%. Lettings and surveying provided some resilience, while salary inflation, acquisition-related costs and investment increased expenses.
- 3 August 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [Connells swings from £28m profit to loss](https://propertyindustryeye.com/connells-swings-from-28m-profit-to-loss/). Connells Group reported a £500,000 first-half loss, reversing a £28.4m profit a year earlier, amid weaker sales activity and slower transactions. Its lettings division was more resilient, while the group continues Countrywide integration and technology investment.

- [Connells deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=connells&view=deep-dive)
- [Connells PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/connells.pdf)

### Foxtons

**Acquisitions and lettings resilience framed Foxtons’ uneven nine-month profile**

Foxtons ranked 7th of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (3.4%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 207 mentions and a net tone of −1.

Foxtons recorded 207 mentions from January to September; its pooled share was 3.4% of tracked-company mentions across the full period, while its average monthly share, calculated as the mean of monthly shares, was also 3.4%, placing it seventh on both measures. Its monthly position stayed within seventh or eighth place, while share ranged from 1.7% in August to 4.6% in July. The opening agenda combined the acquisitions of Cauldwell Property Services and FleetMilne with results showing 2025 revenue growth but broadly flat operating profit. March reporting developed that tension, highlighting resilient lettings and acquisition-led growth alongside pressure on sales profitability and costs. April coverage centred on a 35% year-on-year fall in first-quarter sales revenue, a 5% rise in lettings revenue and a programme targeting at least £3m of annualised savings. In May and June, the emphasis moved towards London lettings data, Renters’ Rights Act implementation, Farah Buckley’s board appointment and Foxtons’ call for vendors to list early for Christmas moves. July’s rise to 4.6% coincided with extensive reporting of a £3m revenue reversal following elevated tenancy terminations, a 57% fall in first-half pre-tax profit and £4.5m of annual cost savings. August’s 1.7% share accompanied a narrower agenda led by the Zero Deposit Guarantor+ partnership for renters without conventional UK guarantors. Share recovered to 3.6% in September as four lettings-focused acquisitions extended Foxtons’ regional presence across Birmingham, Watford and Reading. Across the period, acquisitions supported recurring lettings growth; Guarantor+ broadened the service agenda; Alexander Hall reported higher first-half revenue supported by refinancing, retention and cross-selling; and cost reductions responded to weaker sales and profit performance.

Key messages:

- Foxtons accounted for 3.4% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #7-#8 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Financial Results & Trading and Market Data & House-Price Indices.
- Visibility peaked in July 2026 at 4.6%, compared with 1.7% in August 2026.
- January 2026: Foxtons’ first expansion into Birmingham through the FleetMilne acquisition — Property Industry Eye.

Leading themes:

- Financial Results & Trading: 32.4% of Foxtons's coverage (theme index 7.3, net tone −27)
- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 28.0% of Foxtons's coverage (theme index 0.52, net tone −9)
- M&A, Ownership & Investment: 14.0% of Foxtons's coverage (theme index 5.64, net tone +66)

Notable positive coverage:

- 15 January 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Acquisition-led growth' at Foxtons in 2025](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/news/agencies-people-news/acquisition-led-growth-at-foxtons-in-2025/). Foxtons reported estimated 2025 revenue growth of about 5% to £172m, supported by lettings and acquisitions, while adjusted operating profit was broadly flat. It also acquired Milton Keynes agent Cauldwell Property Services for £6.5m and expects growth in 2026.
- 15 January 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Foxtons expands with acquisition of independent agent](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/01/foxtons-expands-with-acquisition-of-independent-agent/). Foxtons acquired Milton Keynes independent Cauldwell Property Services for £6.5m, expanding its geographic presence. The group also reported approximately £172m of 2025 revenue, up 5%, and appointed James Stevenson as managing director of sales.
- 21 January 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Foxtons snaps up Birmingham lettings agent in first move outside South East](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/news/agencies-people-news/foxtons-snaps-up-birmingham-lettings-agent-in-first-move-outside-south-east/). Foxtons has acquired Birmingham lettings agent FleetMilne for an initial £3.2 million, with up to £0.8 million deferred subject to performance. The deal marks Foxtons' first expansion outside the South East and supports its strategy to grow recurring lettings income.

Notable negative coverage:

- 16 July 2026, sharecast.com: [Foxtons warns FY profits will drop, shares slide](https://www.sharecast.com/news/news-and-announcements/foxtons-warns-fy-profits-will-drop-shares-slide--23039106.html). Foxtons warned that 2026 adjusted operating profit will fall to £17m-£19m after early tenancy terminations under the Renters' Rights Act required a £3m revenue reversal. The group also cited subdued sales transactions and took steps to align its sales operation with weaker conditions.
- 23 April 2026, lse.co.uk: [Foxtons Q1 sales revenues slump 35%](https://www.lse.co.uk/news/foxtons-q1-sales-revenues-slump-35-7yo1lkniroezt4w.html). Foxtons said first-quarter sales revenue fell 35% to £10.7m, while lettings revenue grew 5% to £26.4m. The agency retained full-year expectations and said it would reposition its sales business and manage costs in response to weaker buyer activity.
- 30 July 2026, ft.com: [Foxtons cuts costs after buyer caution slashes profits](https://www.ft.com/content/d41656fe-16c4-48aa-9f45-2a276fe0a267). Foxtons reported a 57% fall in first-half profit before tax to £4.4mn, driven by weaker sales and lettings volatility linked to new renters' legislation. The agency has cut costs, made limited sales-team redundancies and increased use of automation and AI.

- [Foxtons deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=foxtons&view=deep-dive)
- [Foxtons PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/foxtons.pdf)

### OnTheMarket

**OnTheMarket paired portal expansion with persistent market commentary**

OnTheMarket ranked 8th of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (3.2%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 195 mentions and a net tone of +3.

OnTheMarket recorded 195 mentions, ranking eighth by both its 3.2% average monthly share and 3.2% pooled share of tracked-company mentions. Visibility was uneven, ranging from sixth place and 4.7% in January to tenth place and 0.6% in April, before returning to sixth and 4.1% in September. January’s independent coverage centred on OnTheMarket’s reported growth in visits, property stock and sales leads following CoStar’s acquisition. Ownership scrutiny also entered the agenda when Third Point challenged CoStar’s spending and losses; the same article included CoStar’s response that it had a clear plan to continue building its core platforms while scaling Homes.com as part of profitable growth. March brought the Connells partnership, adding almost 100,000 listings from around 1,200 branches and strengthening the substance behind OnTheMarket’s portal-challenger positioning. A separate executive-contributor article by Jason Tebb in the Financial Times made the case for natural-language search and immersive listings, extending the company’s profile into technology. In May, Property Week reported OnTheMarket data showing a 40% monthly increase in private-rented-sector homes listed for sale. From June through August, most available articles were contextual mentions in housing-market, mortgage-rate and policy reporting rather than developments at OnTheMarket. September’s recovery in visibility was contemporaneous with founder Trevor Abrahmsohn’s argument that artificial intelligence threatened the established portal model. Overall, the period combined a small number of substantive corporate and product stories with a much larger base of recurring market commentary.

Key messages:

- OnTheMarket accounted for 3.2% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #6-#10 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Portal Competition & Agency Market Share.
- Visibility peaked in January 2026 at 4.7%, compared with 0.6% in April 2026.
- January 2026: Estate Agent Today reported OnTheMarket’s growth in visits, stock and sales leads two years after CoStar’s takeover.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 76.9% of OnTheMarket's coverage (theme index 1.48, net tone 0)
- Portal Competition & Agency Market Share: 8.7% of OnTheMarket's coverage (theme index 3.81, net tone +41)
- Housing Policy & Market Regulation: 5.1% of OnTheMarket's coverage (theme index 0.44, net tone 0)

Notable positive coverage:

- 27 January 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [OnTheMarket exceeds expectations two years since CoStar takeover](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/01/onthemarket-exceeds-expectations-two-years-since-costar-takeover/). OnTheMarket says website visits rose 55%, property stock increased 47%, and sales leads grew 94% in the two years following CoStar Group's acquisition. The portal says it has deployed almost £50m of investment to improve inventory, traffic and lead generation.
- 27 January 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [Is OnTheMarket on course to become the UK's leading property portal?](https://propertyindustryeye.com/is-onthemarket-on-course-to-become-the-uks-leading-property-portal/). OnTheMarket says its CoStar-backed growth strategy is ahead of expectations, citing higher traffic, stock, engagement and sales leads since its acquisition. The portal positions itself as an increasingly credible challenger to Rightmove and Zoopla.
- 27 January 2026, lettingagenttoday.co.uk: [OnTheMarket reveals growth figures since controversial buyout](https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/01/onthemarket-reveals-growth-figures-since-controversial-buyout/). OnTheMarket says that, since its 2023 acquisition by CoStar, sales leads have risen 94%, website visits 55% and property stock 47%. The portal says it has invested almost £50m and intends to continue investing to pursue UK market leadership.

Notable negative coverage:

- 29 January 2026, bebeez.eu: [Major investor challenges OnTheMarket’s holding company group over loss-making performance](https://bebeez.eu/2026/01/29/major-investor-challenges-onthemarkets-holding-company-group-over-loss-making-performance/). Activist investor Third Point criticised OnTheMarket owner CoStar Group for losses, governance and spending on its residential-property strategy. The article says the dispute could affect CoStar’s appetite for residential marketing investments, including OnTheMarket.

- [OnTheMarket deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=onthemarket&view=deep-dive)
- [OnTheMarket PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/onthemarket.pdf)

### Chestertons

**Appointments and London activity punctuated Chestertons’ uneven year-to-date visibility**

Chestertons ranked 9th of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (1.4%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 85 mentions and a net tone of +26.

Chestertons recorded 85 mentions from January to September, accounting for 1.4% of tracked-company mentions and ranking ninth by both pooled and average monthly share. Its position ranged from eighth to tenth, with April the strongest month at 3.6% and rank eight. Early coverage centred on the appointments of Jon Chevalier and Pavol Miksa, followed by Adam Jennings’ promotion to head of residential and Nick Darragh’s arrival in Wandsworth Common. March’s lower 1.1% share consisted of contextual appearances in wider reporting on house prices, borrowing costs, rental demand and interest rates. April combined the period’s highest visibility with reports on Campions Group’s acquisition of Aston Chase and other London acquisition activity. Visibility fell to 0.6% in May, although Chestertons was named Agency of the Year at the Property Week RESI Awards; the other available articles concerned Campions Group and recruitment by UK Sotheby’s International Realty. June broadened the profile through Katinka Hill’s promotion to head of lettings and other leadership and market coverage. July’s coverage moved towards rental standards, the Renters’ Rights Act and workplace inclusion, while share declined to 0.9%. August’s 0.8% share came from wider reporting on rents, tenant demand, stamp duty and weaker buyer registrations. September returned to operating evidence, including stronger buyer enquiries, vendor instructions, sales agreed, tenant enquiries and landlord instructions, although the firm ranked tenth with a 1.2% share. Across the period, independent editorial and news reporting gave Chestertons a varied profile spanning leadership, London market performance, rental regulation and recognition, but visibility remained below the cohort’s leading positions.

Key messages:

- Chestertons accounted for 1.4% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #8-#10 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Leadership & People.
- Visibility peaked in April 2026 at 3.6%, compared with 0.6% in May 2026.
- January 2026: Chestertons appointed Jon Chevalier and Pavol Miksa to lead sales in Westminster and Notting Hill, reported by PrimeResi.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 38.8% of Chestertons's coverage (theme index 0.73, net tone +3)
- Leadership & People: 21.2% of Chestertons's coverage (theme index 4.56, net tone +78)
- Housing Policy & Market Regulation: 12.9% of Chestertons's coverage (theme index 1.14, net tone 0)

Notable positive coverage:

- 24 February 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Chestertons names new sales director in Wandsworth Common](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/02/chestertons-names-new-sales-director-in-wandsworth-common/). Chestertons has appointed Nick Darragh as sales director for its Wandsworth Common office. The company highlights his local-market experience and community knowledge.
- 25 February 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Chestertons appoints new Wandsworth Sales Director](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/movers-and-shakers/chestertons-appoints-new-wandsworth-sales-director/). Chestertons has appointed Nick, formerly a Douglas & Gordon partner, as Sales Director for Wandsworth Common. The appointment is presented as supporting the expansion of its South West London network.
- 25 February 2026, estateagenttoday.co.uk: [Chestertons names new head of residential](https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/02/chestertons-names-new-head-of-residential/). Chestertons has appointed Adam Jennings as head of residential, overseeing its sales and lettings operations. The company says its lettings division grew 18% year on year under his leadership.

- [Chestertons deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=chestertons&view=deep-dive)
- [Chestertons PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/chestertons.pdf)

### Purplebricks

**Founder return and late financial scrutiny define Purplebricks coverage**

Purplebricks ranked 10th of 10 by average monthly share of coverage (1.1%) in the UK Property Portals & Estate Agents benchmark for 2026 year to date, with 70 mentions and a net tone of −16.

Across January to September 2026, Purplebricks recorded 70 mentions, representing a 1.2% pooled share and a 1.1% average monthly share of tracked-company mentions. Both measures placed it tenth overall, while its monthly position moved only between ninth and tenth. January included independent reporting on its replacement of legacy systems with an AI-enabled customer-management platform, which the company said cut running costs by 70%. March brought extensive reporting on Michael and Kenny Bruce’s return, their minority investment and Michael Bruce’s expected appointment as chief executive. April broadened the profile through the return of virtual valuations and reports of a Sheffield home selling within 24 hours for £7,000 above its asking price. June combined confirmation of Michael Bruce’s directorship with scrutiny after Purplebricks removed a listing containing Nazi memorabilia and terminated the seller contract. July reporting examined Charles Dunstone’s ownership position and carried Michael Bruce’s assessment that the World Cup and warm weather had temporarily slowed market activity. August included confirmation that Michael Bruce held more than 25% and up to 50% of parent company Strike, alongside the first report of an employment tribunal ruling. September supplied the highest monthly volume as further tribunal reporting was joined by an HMRC winding-up petition, which Purplebricks attributed to an administrative error, and a £34 million funding package. Overall, the profile was episodic: product and customer stories provided some operational visibility, but leadership, ownership, conduct and financial developments increasingly defined the later coverage.

Key messages:

- Purplebricks accounted for 1.2% of tracked-company mentions; its monthly rank was #9-#10 among 10.
- Coverage concentrated on Market Data & House-Price Indices and Conduct, Standards & Regulation.
- Visibility peaked in September 2026 at 2.5%, compared with 0.2% in May 2026.
- January 2026: Purplebricks’ replacement of legacy systems with an AI-enabled customer-management platform and reported 70% cost reduction — diginomica.

Leading themes:

- Market Data & House-Price Indices: 20.0% of Purplebricks's coverage (theme index 0.38, net tone +21)
- Conduct, Standards & Regulation: 18.6% of Purplebricks's coverage (theme index 9.5, net tone −85)
- Products, Technology & AI: 11.4% of Purplebricks's coverage (theme index 3.41, net tone +38)

Notable positive coverage:

- 8 March 2026, propertyindustryeye.com: [EYE NEWSFLASH: Bruce brothers back in the game with surprise Purplebricks return](https://propertyindustryeye.com/eye-newsflash-purplebricks-founders-resurface-with-surprise-return-to-online-estate-agency/). Purplebricks founders Michael and Kenny Bruce are reportedly returning to the online estate agency, with Michael expected to become chief executive. They are said to take a minority stake alongside owner Sir Charles Dunstone's Freston Ventures as the business seeks renewed growth.
- 14 April 2026, yorkshirepost.co.uk: [Purplebricks virtual valuation review: how accurate is it? We gave it a try](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/homes-and-gardens/purplebricks-valuation-house-selling-estate-agent-virtual-6573052). A reviewer trialled Purplebricks' virtual valuation service and found its valuation broadly matched those provided by two traditional local agents. The review describes the remote process as quick, thorough, non-pushy and potentially cheaper than conventional agency services.
- 15 April 2026, thenegotiator.co.uk: [Purplebricks brings back virtual valuations](https://thenegotiator.co.uk/news/agencies-people-news/purplebricks-brings-back-virtual-valuations/). Purplebricks has reintroduced video-based virtual valuations, combining remote property viewing with valuation software and local-agent expertise. The company says the service is intended to improve enquiry conversion and offer a quicker alternative to in-person appointments.

Notable negative coverage:

- 25 June 2026, finance.yahoo.com: [Rightmove pulls ad showing house full of Nazi memorabilia](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rightmove-pulls-ad-showing-house-124634748.html). A Purplebricks property listing containing Nazi memorabilia in a virtual tour was removed, and Purplebricks terminated its contract with the seller. Rightmove and Zoopla also removed the listing after being alerted to the offensive imagery.
- 3 September 2026, independent.co.uk: [Estate agent forced out of job after maternity leave wins £48,000 compensation](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/purplebricks-murron-stewart-tribunal-job-b3043956.html). An employment tribunal found that Purplebricks unfairly dismissed and discriminated against a worker following her maternity leave. The firm was ordered to pay compensation of nearly £48,000.
- 2 September 2026, mirror.co.uk: [Mum forced out of Purplebricks job over pregnancy and childcare issues wins £47k](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/purplebricks-mum-tribunal-case-damages-37620583). An employment tribunal awarded former Purplebricks employee Murron Stewart £47,323.73 after finding she had been constructively and unfairly dismissed and discriminated against in connection with maternity leave, sex and caring responsibilities. Purplebricks said the respondent was a dissolved former company and that the current business was not a party to the proceedings.

- [Purplebricks deep dive](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd?entity=purplebricks&view=deep-dive)
- [Purplebricks PDF report](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd/reports/purplebricks.pdf)

## Methodology

- **Share of coverage**: an organisation's mentions divided by all mentions of the organisations tracked in the same sector that month, in UK earned media. It is the central measure of media visibility in Omniscan benchmarks. "Average monthly share" is the mean of the monthly shares across the reporting period.
- **Mention**: one article that covers an organisation, classified as positive, neutral or negative in tone. Articles are deduplicated, and an organisation's own websites and passing sponsorship name-checks are excluded, so only earned media counts.
- **Net tone**: positive mentions minus negative mentions, as a percentage of all mentions (range −100 to +100).
- **Themes**: every article is assigned to one of the sector's editorial themes. A theme index above 1 means the organisation is covered on that theme more than its peers are; below 1 means less.
- **Calculation**: every figure is computed directly from the classified articles; narrative summaries are checked against those figures.
- **Sources**: UK national and international, trade and specialist, regional and local, and aggregator and syndication earned media.

## Other UK Property Portals & Estate Agents editions

- [UK property portals & estate agents media reputation tracker – H1 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-h1.md)
- [UK property portals & estate agents media reputation tracker – July 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-07.md)
- [UK property portals & estate agents media reputation tracker – August 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-08.md)
- [UK property portals & estate agents media reputation tracker – September 2026](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-09.md)
- [All Omniscan media benchmarks](https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks.md)

## How to cite

Omniscan, "UK property portals & estate agents media reputation tracker", 2026 year to date (1 January 2026–30 September 2026), published 4 October 2026. https://www.omniscan.ai/benchmarks/uk-property-portals-estate-agents-2026-ytd