SmartCPC vs. CPC: Which One Works Best for Testing? Case Study 💰

[Roller Ads]

There’s always a dilemma about which bidding model to choose when you first start testing—should it be the classic option, such as CPC, where you can set your own custom bids, or is it better to go with something smarter, like SmartCPC?

To clear up any confusion about first tests and help you understand what these bidding models are and how they differ, we’ve run a case study that clearly demonstrates their essence and where it’s best to start. But before we dive into test campaign settings and outcomes, let’s quickly refresh our understanding of these models and how they function.

From Tradition to Smart​

A traditional model (CPC) requires you to set a fixed bid in your dashboard—for example, $0.10—and pay that amount for every click. Each campaign uses its own set bid, and if market conditions change, you’ll need to manually adjust it to stay competitive. That doesn’t sound difficult and can even benefit you when you already have a list of converting zones and feeds.

However, if you’re just starting your test, launching it with a traditional CPC model might not deliver the results you’re hoping for. Why? It’s simple: in the early stages,