What is cost per view (CPV)?
Cost Per View (CPV) is a pricing model where advertisers pay when a user watches a portion of a video ad or interacts with it.
Example:
A Shopify store runs a YouTube Ads campaign and pays $0.05 per view when users watch at least 30 seconds of a 60-second video ad.
💡 CPV is commonly used in YouTube Ads, TikTok Ads, and programmatic video advertising.
👉 Related term: Cost Per Completed View
How to calculate CPV?
Formula
CPV = Total ad spend Total views
Cost Per View (CPV) Calculator
💡 A lower CPV means more cost-effective audience engagement, but optimizing video quality and targeting is key.
CPV vs. CPM
Both CPV and CPM are commonly used in video advertising, but they serve different goals.
| Metric | How it works | Best for | Key difference |
| CPV (Cost Per View) | Advertisers pay when a user watches a portion of the video (e.g., 30 seconds) or interacts with it. | Engagement-focused campaigns (YouTube, TikTok, social video ads). | Charges based on video views, not impressions. |
| CPM (Cost Per Mille) | Advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions, regardless of engagement. | Brand awareness & mass visibility. | Charges for visibility, not guaranteed engagement. |
💡 CPV is better for performance-driven video ads, while CPM is ideal for wider reach and visibility.
What is the CPV on YouTube?
On YouTube Ads (Google Ads), CPV is the primary bidding model for TrueView video ads, where advertisers pay only if a user:
- Watches at least 30 seconds (or the full ad if it’s shorter).
- Clicks on a CTA, overlay, or engages with the ad.
YouTube CPV Benchmarks:
- Average CPV on YouTube: $0.01 – $0.30 (varies by industry & targeting).
- Lower CPV Ads: Skippable TrueView In-Stream Ads allow cost-efficient engagement.
- Higher CPV Ads: Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads often have a higher CPV due to guaranteed viewership.
💡 Optimizing video length, targeting, and ad placement can help lower CPV on YouTube.
🧾 Related resource: Cost-per-view bidding method in Google Ads
