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How to Check the CPC of a Keyword in 2024

 

Knowing the cost-per-click (CPC) of keywords is crucial for running effective pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. The CPC indicates how much you can expect to pay each time someone clicks on your ad for a particular keyword.

Checking CPCs regularly allows you to optimize your campaigns by identifying high-performing keywords worth bidding on and eliminating ones that are too expensive.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn multiple methods for researching keyword CPCs, so you can keep your PPC spend efficient and drive more conversions.

 

Use Keyword Planner to Estimate Keyword CPC

Google's free Keyword Planner tool provides estimated keyword CPCs along with other key data like monthly searches. Here's how to use it to check keyword costs:

1. Open Keyword Planner and login to your Google Ads account.
2. Enter your keyword ideas and location targeting. For more accurate CPC estimates, enter keywords similar to what you would bid on.
3. Click "Get results" and switch to the "Keyword ideas" tab.
4. View the "Avg. CPC" column to see estimated CPCs for each keyword. Sort by CPC to identify the most and least expensive keywords.

Keyword Planner CPC estimates are based on current Google text ad costs. Estimates are for the entire keyword phrase, rather than your specific ad ranking. Keyword Planner only shows CPC estimates for highly searched keywords.

 

Use The Google Keyword Cost Tool

The Google Keyword Cost tool by WordStream provides more CPC estimates than Keyword Planner. It's based on actual cost data from over 1 billion Google text ad auctions.

To check CPC with this tool:

1. Enter your keyword list and targeting options into the tool.
2. Click "Get Competitive Keyword Stats".
3. View the "Avg CPC" column in the results table for estimated CPCs.

Since it draws from a larger dataset of actual Google ad costs, this tool can provide CPC estimates for long-tail and low-search volume keywords that Keyword Planner doesn't show. However, its CPC estimates may differ from your actual costs based on your account data.

 

Search For Keywords In The Google Ads Interface

If you already have a Google Ads account, you can check approximate CPC directly on the platform.

1. In your Google Ads account, go to the Keywords page.
2. Use the search bar to look up keywords relevant to your campaigns.
3. View the "Suggested bid" column for an estimate of the CPC.
4. Filter to view keyword ideas grouped by "Low", "Medium", or "High" suggested bid to get a sense of relative costs.

Google generates these CPC estimates based on your account data, campaign targeting, and quality score. So they will closely match potential actual costs for your specific account. However, estimates may be unavailable for new keyword ideas.

 

Use Third-Party PPC Keyword Research Tools

In addition to the free Google tools, many paid keyword research platforms provide CPC estimates:

• SEMRush - Shows average CPC over the past 12 months. Also provides monthly search volumes.
• Moz Keyword Explorer - Displays a CPC range based on region and search volume. Provides other keyword data.
• Ahrefs - Shows minimum and maximum historical CPCs for keywords in a region. Also includes search volumes.
• KWFinder - Provides low and high CPC estimates. Also collects competitor keyword data.
• Ubersuggest - Searches Google Autocomplete for keyword ideas and shows low to high CPC estimates.

These tools gather search data from a variety of sources to estimate CPCs. They may surface long-tail keywords missing from Google tools. Cost estimates can vary between tools due to different data sources.

 

Search For Keywords In The Bing Ads Interface

If you run PPC campaigns on Bing Ads, you can get keyword CPC estimates directly within the platform:

1. Go to the "Keywords" page and select a campaign.
2. Use the keyword research tool to search for new keyword ideas relevant to your ads.
3. View the "Suggested bid" column to see estimated CPCs.
4. Sort keywords from low to high suggested bids to identify less expensive terms.

As with Google Ads, these suggestions are tailored to your campaign targeting and account data for more accurate CPC predictions. However, estimates may be unavailable for new keywords.

 

Calculate CPC From Past Campaign Costs

If you've been running PPC campaigns for a while, you can derive real CPCs from your campaign history:

1. Export keyword performance data from your PPC platform for a past date range.
2. Calculate CPC for each keyword by dividing cost by clicks (CPC = Cost / Clicks).
3. Sort keywords from lowest to highest CPC.

Analyzing historical costs gives real CPCs based on your account data. However, costs may have changed since your tracked date range. Use past CPC analysis along with other methods to optimize budgets.

 

Tips for Comparing CPCs

When checking keyword CPCs using different tools and sources, keep these tips in mind:

• Focus on identifying relative costs - which keywords are cheaper vs. more expensive - rather than absolute CPC.
• Double-check CPC estimates against past campaign costs to validate accuracy.
• Use Google's free tools for initial research, then supplement with paid tools for additional keywords.
• Adjust targets as needed after monitoring real campaign spending and performance.
• Revisit CPCs periodically to catch trends and adjust bids accordingly.

Knowing keyword costs is critical for PPC success. Use a combination of these techniques to research accurate CPCs and keep budgets on track. Monitor real spending data over time to refine targets. Checking CPCs regularly will help drive more conversions at the lowest cost.

 

FAQs:

Q1: What is a good CPC rate?

A: While there's no ideal CPC, a good rule of thumb is below $1. The best CPC depends on your margins. Target cost-efficient keywords that enable profit within your budget.

Q2: How do I lower my CPC?

A: Ways to decrease CPC include bidding only on low-cost keywords, improving Quality Score through relevance, increasing the campaign budget, creating more targeted ad copy, and optimizing landing pages.

Q3: Why did my CPC increase?

A: CPCs can increase when there's more competition bidding on the keyword, your Quality Score drops, or the keyword's search volume changes. Check your search terms report and auction insights for the factors influencing costs.

Q4: Should I bid on high CPC keywords?

A: High CPC keywords may still be worthwhile if they drive conversions for your business. Calculate potential ROI for expensive keywords and do small tests to ensure profitability before increasing bids.

Q5: How often should I check CPCs?

A: Check keyword CPCs regularly - at least once per month. Costs can fluctuate frequently. Staying on top of changes allows you to adjust bids and allocate budget accordingly.

 

Conclusion

Monitoring keyword CPC needs to be an ongoing process for PPC advertisers. Costs are constantly changing based on competition, search volume, and your account factors.

Leverage a combination of free and paid tools to research estimated CPC for new keywords you're considering. Compare these estimates against your campaign's actual historical costs to validate accuracy.

Dig into your search terms report and auction insights to understand the factors impacting your CPCs. Check keyword costs regularly to detect trends and quickly respond to price fluctuations.

Adjust your bids and ad copy to control CPCs. Eliminate keywords that are too expensive. Reallocate the budget to more cost-efficient terms that align with your target ROI.

With regular checks on keyword costs, you can optimize your PPC campaigns to drive more conversions and profitability within your budget. Accurate CPC research is essential for staying ahead of the competition. By following the techniques outlined in this guide, you'll gain the keyword cost intelligence needed to maximize the return from your PPC ad spend.