What is CPCV (Cost per Completed View)? Explanation and Examples

Cpcv (cost per completed view)

CPCV measures average cost per full video ad view, highlighting campaign efficiency and engagement.

Understanding CPCV

• Concept overview

  CPCV represents the average amount an advertiser pays each time a video ad is watched from start to finish. It excludes partial views, ensuring metrics focus on full audience engagement.

  • Cost component

    The total ad spend dedicated to the video campaign over a defined period, including bids, fees, and platform charges.

  • Completed views

    The count of video ad plays where the viewer watched the entire ad duration without skipping.

• Why cpcv matters

  By tracking completed views specifically, advertisers can gauge true viewer interest and the impact of full ad exposure on brand recall and conversions.

  • Engagement quality

    Full views indicate genuine engagement versus mere exposure or accidental plays.

  • Budget efficiency

    Focusing spend on ads that are fully consumed helps maximize the return on ad spend.

Calculating CPCV

• Cpcv formula

  Computed as total video ad cost divided by the number of completed views: CPCV = Total Cost / Completed Views.

• Influencing factors

  Campaign settings, audience targeting, ad length, and bidding strategies can all affect the unit cost and view completion rates.

  • Ad length

    Longer ads may reduce completion rates, increasing CPCV if viewers drop off early.

  • Targeting precision

    Highly relevant targeting typically yields better engagement and lower CPCV.

Tracking CPCV with Analytics Tools

• PlainSignal setup

  PlainSignal offers a cookieless, privacy-focused analytics solution that can track completed video views and associated costs.

  • Tracking code example

    Embed the following script in your site’s HTML to start collecting video view data.

  • Code snippet

    <link rel="preconnect" href="//eu.plainsignal.com/" crossorigin />
    <script defer data-do="yourwebsitedomain.com" data-id="0GQV1xmtzQQ" data-api="//eu.plainsignal.com" src="//cdn.plainsignal.com/plainsignal-min.js"></script>
    

• Google analytics 4 implementation

  GA4 can be configured to record custom events for video completions and link ad spend data via the Google Ads integration.

  • Event tagging

    Define a ‘video_complete’ event in GA4 or via Google Tag Manager and pass parameters like ad_id, campaign, and cost.

  • Ad cost import

    Use the Google Ads linking feature to import cost data into GA4 for CPCV computation.

Optimizing CPCV

• Creative testing

  A/B test different video creatives to identify formats and messages that drive higher completion rates.

  • Message variations

    Experiment with different openings and calls-to-action to hook viewers early.

• Audience segmentation

  Target niche audiences with tailored content to improve relevance and completion likelihood.

  • Demographic targeting

    Adjust bids and creatives based on age, gender, or interests for optimal engagement.

• Ad placement and frequency

  Choose placements where users are more likely to watch full videos and cap view frequency to avoid ad fatigue.

  • Frequency capping

    Limit the number of times an ad is shown to the same user in a given period.

Real-World Examples

• Consumer electronics campaign

  A tech brand reduced CPCV by 25% by shortening videos and targeting high-intent audiences on social platforms.

• E-learning promotion

  An online course provider lowered CPCV by using compelling opening hooks and retargeting viewers who watched 50% of the video.

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