Emplifi named a leader in The Forrester Wave Social Suites. Access the report.

What is cost per click (CPC)?

Definition: Cost per click (CPC)

Cost Per Click (CPC) is a metric used in online advertising to measure the cost incurred each time a user clicks on an advertisement. It’s a pricing model commonly used in pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, where advertisers pay a certain amount for each click their ads receive. 

In social media marketing, CPC is determined by factors such as:

  • Ad relevance

  • Targeting criteria

  • Bidding strategies

  • Competition within the platform

Advertisers set a maximum bid they’re willing to pay for each click, and the platform's auction system determines the actual CPC based on the competitiveness of the ad space and the quality of the ad. 

Monitoring CPC allows advertisers to assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their campaigns, so they can optimize their bidding strategies and maximize their return on investment (ROI) in social media advertising. By managing CPC effectively, advertisers can drive targeted traffic to their websites, generate leads, and achieve their marketing objectives within budget constraints.

Learn more about CPC and other paid social media metrics in our 2024 social media benchmarks.

More social insights and news from Emplifi

Emplifi Tool kit — Visual Storytelling

[Tool Kit] Visual storytelling on social media

Hero Image Why your brand needs social media monitoring Generate top image

Social media monitoring: Why your brand needs it

Why social media is the key to customer engagement

Why social media is the key to customer engagement

Emplifi - How travel brands can get ready for summer season

6 ways travel brand social teams can get ready for the summer season

Emplifi - Best Times to Post on Social Media

The best times to post on social media in 2024

Top image: 9 ways that sustainability can drive social media success on Earth Day

9 ways that sustainability can drive social media success on Earth Day

Emplifi Social Media Benchmarks 2024

The social media benchmarks to guide your 2024 strategy

Article: The social media marketer’s guide to video engagement strategy

The social media marketer’s guide to video engagement strategy

Top image: Personalized marketing guide

Personalized marketing on social media: The ultimate guide

Emplifi - Social Media Predictions for 2024

Emplifi’s 2024 Outlook: Social Shopping, Messaging Apps, Video Content, And More Will Become Integral To Brand Marketing Strategies

Emplifi - TrustRadius Best of 2023 Award

Emplifi Social Marketing Cloud Recognized by TrustRadius ‘Best Of’ Awards 2023

Hero: The top social media management platforms of 2024

The 13 best social media management tools in 2024

Emplifi: Top Social Media Conferences for Social Media Marketers To Attend

10 social media conferences you should attend in 2024

Top image: 4 best practices for brands to use AI in social media

4 best practices for brands to use AI in social media

Emplifi - How to use AI marketing tools to increase efficiency and boost results

How to use AI marketing tools to increase efficiency and boost results