CPV — Cost Per View
The amount an advertiser pays each time a user views their video ad.
Definition
Cost Per View (CPV) is the pricing model used for video advertising campaigns, where you pay each time a viewer watches your video ad. On YouTube's TrueView format, a view is counted when someone watches at least 30 seconds of your ad (or the full duration if shorter) or interacts with it. CPV allows advertisers to ensure they're only paying for engaged video viewers, not passive scrollers. It's the video advertising equivalent of CPC for display, shifting cost from impressions to actual views.
Formula
CPV = Total Video Ad Spend ÷ Total ViewsDivide your total video campaign spend by the number of qualifying views.
Example
If your YouTube campaign costs $300 and generates 15,000 views, your CPV = $300 ÷ 15,000 = $0.02 per view.
Key Points
- On YouTube TrueView, you don't pay if viewers skip before 30 seconds
- CPV is ideal for video-first campaigns focused on brand storytelling
- Average YouTube CPV ranges from $0.01 to $0.30 depending on targeting
- View-through rate (VTR) measures what percentage of viewers completed your video
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