CPA Advertising

Updated: October 29, 2024

CPA (Cost-Per-Action) is the most advanced mobile advertising payment model. With this model, advertisers pay publishers for specific actions (like sales or registrations) that people make inside mobile apps after being engaged with ads.

To calculate cost-per-action for a specific action one needs to divide a total ad campaign spending on several specific actions that this particular campaign generated.

Pricing for various kinds of actions such as app installs, registers, purchases can vary from $4 to $75 per action. The CPA advertising model is the roots of digital affiliate marketing. We’ve analyzed the best CPA Advertising Networks in this directory.

CPA example

Source: BigCommerce

CPA Advertising Benefits

CPA advertising allows advertisers to control their costs and achieve specific objectives. The key advantage is that there is no cost to them until an action is taken, which maximises their return on investment.

This model of advertising is also a good choice because advertisers can track multiple channels with ease. Effectively this makes CPA advertising risk-free, and it is the job of the publisher to create compelling content that inspires customers to take action.

Of course, there is a downside to CPA: the cost. Advertisers will pay more for this form of advertising, although that comes with the safety of knowing that they will most likely achieve their advertising aims.

CPA formula

Source: The Online Advertising Guide

Other benefits include:

  • It’s a good form of advertising for those who have a well-developed market
  • Advertisers don’t have to rely on clicks to generate revenue
  • It allows advertisers to generate site engagement with a specific action

Below we’ve listed the best CPA networks and platforms so you can get up and running without hassle.

List of the top CPA ad networks