Cost-per-click (CPC): Definition - Google Ads Help (2024)

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 you'll typically be charged for a click, but you'll often be charged less - sometimes much less. That final amount 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).

Related links

• Bidding basics
• Review more articles about budgets and bids