Cost Per Click (CPC)
The amount you pay each time someone clicks your ad.
Definition
Cost Per Click (CPC) is the price you pay every time a user clicks on your ad. In auction-based platforms like Google Ads and Meta, you set a maximum CPC bid, but you'll often pay less than your maximum. Your actual CPC depends on competition, quality score, and ad relevance.
CPC = Total Cost / Total Clicks
Industry Benchmarks
Average CPCs vary wildly by industry: $1-2 for retail, $2-5 for professional services, $50+ for legal.
Average CPCs vary wildly by industry: $1-2 for retail, $2-5 for professional services, $50+ for legal.
Practical Tips
- Lower CPC isn't always better—focus on cost per conversion
- Improve Quality Score to reduce CPCs
- Long-tail keywords typically have lower CPCs
- Monitor CPC trends over time to catch issues early
Related Terms
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