Purpose <p>This study explores how the sharing economy connects to sustainability by analyzing research published between 2002 and 2023 indexed in Scopus. It focuses on recognizing major themes, clusters of research, and impacts of the sharing economy on environmental, social, and economic dimensions.</p> Design/methodology/approach <p>A total of 693 journal articles were subjected to bibliometric analysis using citation, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence methods. These techniques have been applied to map influential studies, highlight thematic clusters, and reveal the intellectual structure of the field.</p> Findings <p>The research underscores the potential of the sharing economy to enhance sustainability by improving resource efficiency. However, challenges remain in regulation, governance, and closing the attitude-behavior gap. While innovations in electric vehicles and sustainable consumption show promise, there is a need for stronger policies and greater inclusivity to address inequalities. Further exploration of crowdsourcing and collaborative models could drive innovation and contribute to more sustainable economic activity.</p> Limitations of the research/implication <p>The investigation is limited to Scopus bibliometric data and may not consider qualitative insights or even emerging topics. The focus will also be on urban applications, reducing generalizability to rural contexts.</p> Originality/value <p>The study brings one of the first large-scale bibliometric maps related to the sharing economy in its connection with sustainability. It provides a clear overview of trends, challenges, and future directions, thus supporting scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the development of sharing-based models targeting sustainable development.</p>