Cost Per Click (CPC)is the amount an advertiser pays each time a user clicks on an advertisement. It is one of the most common pricing models in paid advertising and is widely used in platforms like Google Ads and Meta Ads.

In simple terms:
👉 CPC = the price you pay for a single ad click

If you run ads on platforms like search engines, social media, or display networks, CPC helps you understand how efficiently your advertising budget is being spent.

How Cost Per Click works

When advertisers create an online ad campaign, they often bid on keywords or audiences. Each time someone clicks on the ad, the advertiser is charged a fee — this fee is the cost per click.

The actual CPC you pay can vary based on several factors, including:

• Competition for keywords or audiences
• Ad quality and relevance
• Bidding strategy
• Industry and market demand
• Platform algorithms

High competition usually leads to a higher CPC, while well-optimized and relevant ads can reduce costs.

Is a lower CPC always better?

Not necessarily. A low CPC is generally positive, but what truly matters is the quality of the clicks. Paying slightly more per click can be worthwhile if those users are more likely to convert, subscribe, or make a purchase.

The goal isn’t just cheaper clicks, it’s valuable clicks.

‍