Ad glossary · Performance metrics · Checked 2026-10-23
What is CPC: how cost per click is worked out and how to break it down
CPC (cost per link click) is the average cost of each link click: amount spent divided by link clicks.
- English
- CPC (cost per link click)
- Also called
- Cost per click
- Area
- Performance metrics
How it is used
CPC is CPM and CTR combined: the dearer the CPM and the lower the CTR, the higher the CPC. When CPC rises, split it to see which of the two moved.
CPC is not a dial you turn
CPC is an average worked out afterwards: CPC = CPM ÷ (CTR × 1,000). There are only two ways down: cheaper impressions (CPM) or more of the people who see it clicking (CTR).
Use link clicks, not all clicks
Clicks (all) counts likes, comments, opening the image and tapping the page name. A CPC from it looks far better, but it is not the cost of bringing someone to your site.
Formula: plug in your numbers
CPC = amount spent ÷ link clicks = CPM ÷ (CTR × 1,000)
Example
NT$12,000 spent, 1,200 link clicks: CPC = NT$10. At the same NT$150 CPM, lifting CTR from 1.5% to 2% takes CPC to 150 ÷ 20 = NT$7.5.
Not to be confused with
Dividing spend by clicks (all) gives a much cheaper number, but it includes likes and expanding the text; it is not the cost of traffic.
FAQ
What is a cheap CPC?
It depends on your conversion rate and CPA ceiling: maximum CPC = maximum CPA × click conversion rate. With a NT$400 ceiling and 3.3% conversion per click, anything under about NT$13 is affordable.
Why is CPC low but there are no orders?
Cheap clicks often come from audiences or placements unlikely to buy, or from pages that never finish loading. Compare link clicks with landing page views, then look at conversion rate.
Where the course puts it to work
Official sources
We read each page below on 2026-10-23 and built the definition from it.
- CPC (Cost per Link Click) · Checked 2026-10-23
- About Link Clicks in Meta Ads Manager · Checked 2026-10-23
- Cost-per-click (CPC): Definition · Checked 2026-10-23
- About Ads Metrics in Seller Center · Checked 2026-10-23