Rightmove’s estate agency revenue increased by 9% during the first half of 2026 as higher partner spending and uptake of its AI-powered products supported growth.
Agency membership rose by 1% to 16,591 branches, while retention reached 96% – its highest first-half level in more than a decade.
Agency average revenue per advertiser increased by 8% to £1,636 per month, with the average number of products used by each branch rising by 14%.
Group revenue grew by 7% to £225.8 million, although operating profit increased by a more modest 2% to £148.2 million following planned investment.
AI DRIVES MORE VALUATION LEADS
Rightmove’s Online Agent Valuation product contributed to an approximately 50% increase in unique valuation leads sent to estate agents and recorded the portal’s fastest revenue growth from a new product.
Early data for its Ask Rightmove conversational search service shows users spending around 40% longer on the platform and being almost twice as likely to submit a lead.
The business completed more than 4,000 technology releases during the period, 40% more than a year earlier, and now has 46 strategic AI initiatives underway.
New “agentic-powered” tools intended to improve estate agency workflows and efficiency are scheduled to go live during the second half.
Johan Svanstrom (main picture, inset), CEO of Rightmove, says: “Our platform continues to deliver increased value to partners and consumers.
“We are on an exciting trajectory for the agentic-powered property marketplace, with true personalisation and new efficiency solutions.”
NEW HOMES WEAKNESS HITS OUTLOOK
Rightmove reduced its full-year revenue growth forecast from between 8% and 10% to between 6% and 8%, attributing the downgrade entirely to lower new-build development volumes.
New Homes membership fell by 4% during the half to 2,766 developments and was 6% lower than in June 2025. The portal says new developments are coming to market at their lowest rate in more than a decade.
Despite the fall in membership, New Homes revenue grew by 2% and advertiser revenue rose by 7%.
Rightmove returned £124.7 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks during the half. It now expects to return more than £400 million by July 2027, supported by a new £200 million revolving credit facility.
