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Also known as: CPC

Cost Per Click

FoundationalMarketingMetrics

Definition

Cost Per Click: Cost per click is the amount an advertiser pays each time someone clicks on their digital advertisement. CPC varies widely by industry, keyword competitiveness, and platform. It's calculated by dividing total ad spend by the number of clicks received. Understanding CPC is essential for calculating customer acquisition costs and advertising ROI.

Example Usage

β€œOur average CPC dropped from $4.50 to $2.80 after we improved ad relevance scores and added negative keywords.”

Common Misconceptions

Lower CPC is always better. A higher CPC with better conversion rates may deliver better ROI.
CPC is the same across platforms. CPCs vary dramatically between Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others.
CPC determines profitability. What matters is cost per acquisition and customer lifetime value.

Related Terms

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