If you have ever searched for a home in the UK, you have almost certainly used Rightmove. It is the country's largest property website, and for most buyers, renters and estate agents, it is the first place they look. This guide explains what Rightmove is, how it grew so dominant, and why it remains one of the most watched companies on the London Stock Exchange.
What is Rightmove?
Rightmove is an online property portal — a website and app where estate agents and developers advertise homes for sale and rent. It does not own or sell the properties itself. Instead, it acts as the marketplace that connects property professionals with the public.
The company was founded in 2000 by four of the UK's largest property businesses at the time: Countrywide, Connells, Halifax and Royal & Sun Alliance. Listing was free at first, with charges introduced in 2002. In 2006, Rightmove floated on the London Stock Exchange, and today it is a FTSE 100 company worth several billion pounds, based in Milton Keynes.
Why it dominates the market
Rightmove's biggest strength is its sheer scale. According to Comscore data referenced in recentRightmove news, the platform accounts for around 80% of all time spent on UK property portals. That kind of lead creates a powerful cycle: agents advertise where the buyers are, and buyers go where the listings are.
Just as importantly, more than 85% of Rightmove's website traffic is organic — meaning people go directly to the site rather than arriving through search engines, adverts or AI tools. That loyal, direct audience is difficult for any competitor to replicate.
How the business is structured
Rightmove organises its work into three main areas:
Agency: advertising for estate and letting agents selling or renting existing homes. This is the core of the business.
New Homes: advertising for property developers and housing associations marketing newly built homes.
Other: commercial property, overseas listings, mortgage services, data products and third-party advertising.
Most of Rightmove's income comes from subscription and advertising fees paid by agents and developers, plus extra charges for premium products that help listings stand out.
If you have ever searched for a home in the UK, you have almost certainly used Rightmove. It is the country's largest property website, and for most buyers, renters and estate agents, it is the first place they look. This guide explains what Rightmove is, how it grew so dominant, and why it remains one of the most watched companies on the London Stock Exchange.
What is Rightmove?
Rightmove is an online property portal — a website and app where estate agents and developers advertise homes for sale and rent. It does not own or sell the properties itself. Instead, it acts as the marketplace that connects property professionals with the public.
The company was founded in 2000 by four of the UK's largest property businesses at the time: Countrywide, Connells, Halifax and Royal & Sun Alliance. Listing was free at first, with charges introduced in 2002. In 2006, Rightmove floated on the London Stock Exchange, and today it is a FTSE 100 company worth several billion pounds, based in Milton Keynes.
Why it dominates the market
Rightmove's biggest strength is its sheer scale. According to Comscore data referenced in recentRightmove news, the platform accounts for around 80% of all time spent on UK property portals. That kind of lead creates a powerful cycle: agents advertise where the buyers are, and buyers go where the listings are.
Just as importantly, more than 85% of Rightmove's website traffic is organic — meaning people go directly to the site rather than arriving through search engines, adverts or AI tools. That loyal, direct audience is difficult for any competitor to replicate.
