Cost per action (CPA)

Categories: C, SEO Glossary

Cost per action (CPA) refers to a pricing model in digital marketing where advertisers pay a fee each time a specific, predefined action is taken by a user as a result of their advertisement. This action can vary widely, from a simple click on an ad to a more complex action like completing a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a contact form. CPA is a popular metric because it directly correlates advertising costs with the success of the ad in prompting users to take the desired action. It is a common strategy in affiliate marketing, where advertisers compensate affiliates based on the actions generated from their referrals. By focusing on CPA, businesses can effectively track their return on investment (ROI) for different advertising efforts, ensuring they allocate their budgets towards the most cost-effective strategies.