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Ads / DEFINED TERM

CPC (Cost Per Click)

The amount an advertiser pays each time someone clicks on their ad, used to measure the cost efficiency of paid advertising campaigns.

IN DEPTH

CPC varies dramatically by industry, keyword competitiveness, ad quality, and platform. Google Ads average CPC ranges from $1–$2 for most industries but can exceed $50 for competitive legal or insurance keywords. Lowering CPC while maintaining quality traffic involves improving Quality Score, refining audience targeting, testing ad copy, and optimizing bidding strategies. CPC is distinct from CPM (cost per thousand impressions) and CPA (cost per acquisition).

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