CPC
metricsCost Per Click
Definition
The average amount you pay for each click on your ads. A key metric for measuring traffic acquisition costs.
How to Calculate CPC
Total Ad Spend ÷ Total Clicks
Example
Scenario: You spend $1,000 on ads and receive 500 clicks
Calculation: $1,000 ÷ 500 = $2.00 CPC
What's a Good CPC?
$0.50-$2.00 for most DTC categories, varies widely by industry
Common Mistakes
- Focusing only on low CPC without considering conversion rates
- Ignoring click quality and post-click behavior
💡 Expert Tip
Higher CPC often correlates with better targeting and higher-intent traffic. Optimize for conversions, not just cheap clicks.
— Based on $100M+ in managed ad spend
Related Terms
By Kristijan Arapov • Based on $100M+ in managed ad spend • Updated 2026