Full definition
CPM is the cost of 1,000 ad impressions. For example: a CPM of $3 means you pay $3 for every 1,000 times the ad is shown. It's mainly used for brand awareness campaigns.
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Why it matters
Cost per thousand impressions is the right metric for campaigns aimed at exposure rather than clicks. Using it for the wrong goal produces the wrong decisions.
🧮 A worked example
A brand awareness campaign at $7 per thousand impressions with one click per 1,000 can be a success — if the goal was to be remembered.
⚠️ The common mistake
Comparing cost per thousand across different audiences. A narrow, precise audience always costs more, and that is usually worth it.
Full guide on the blog
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More terms in Paid Advertising
SEM (Search Engine Marketing)
Paid search marketing (like Google Ads)
PPC (Pay Per Click)
A pricing model where you pay per click
CPC (Cost Per Click)
What one click costs on a paid ad
Retargeting
Showing ads to people who already visited your site
Pixel (Facebook Pixel)
Tracking code that identifies visitors to your site
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