Cost per click (CPC): Definition

Cost per click (CPC) bidding means that you pay for each click on your ads. For CPC bidding campaigns, you set a maximum cost-per-click bid – or simply 'max. CPC' – that's the highest amount that you're willing to pay for a click on your ad (unless you're setting bid adjustments, or using Enhanced CPC).

  • Your max. CPC is the most that you'll typically be charged for a click, but you'll often be charged less – sometimes much less. That final amount that you're charged for a click is called your actual CPC.
  • If you enter a max. CPC bid and someone clicks your ad, that click won't cost you more than the maximum CPC bid amount that you set.
  • You'll choose between manual bidding (you choose your bid amounts) and automatic bidding (let Google set bids to try to get the most clicks within your budget).
  • CPC pricing is sometimes known as pay-per-click (PPC).

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