CPC

CPC is the standard pricing model for paid search and a chunk of performance display. The number is set by your bid, your quality score and the level of competition, and even within the same keyword it can swing sharply by hour and device.

Think of CPC as a thermometer for keyword markets. A category whose CPC is climbing quickly often signals new entrants or a demand spike, which makes it useful as a market read, not just a cost line.

The most durable way to lower CPC is to raise quality, not cut bids. Google Ads quality score and Naver SA quality index both lean heavily on CTR and landing experience, so CPC optimisation ends up being a creative and UX exercise.