pay-per-click

Definition

An advertising model where advertisers pay each time someone clicks their ad, rather than for impressions or placement. It's the 'you only pay for actual interest' model, assuming clicks indicate interest rather than accidental taps.

Example Usage

We're running a PPC campaign where we pay $4 per click to sell a $5 product, implementing what financial analysts call 'an unsustainable business model.'

Origin

First implemented by search engines in the late 1990s, with Google AdWords (2000) popularizing the model

Fun Fact

The first PPC ad was purchased in 1996 on Planet Oasis, a search engine that no longer exists, proving early adoption doesn't guarantee long-term relevance.

Source: Digital advertising industry standard

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