Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important metrics for video ad performance analysis?

RPM (revenue per thousand views) is the most important single metric because it reflects your actual earnings per viewer regardless of ad format. CPM (cost per thousand impressions) shows what advertisers pay before YouTube's revenue share. CTR (click-through rate on ads) and fill rate round out the core metrics, showing how effectively ad inventory is being served and whether viewers are clicking through.

What is the difference between CPM and RPM on YouTube?

CPM is the rate advertisers pay per thousand ad impressions and is what the advertiser sees. RPM is the revenue you actually receive per thousand video views after YouTube takes its 45% revenue share, and after accounting for views that did not serve ads. RPM is always lower than CPM and is the more meaningful number for creators since it represents actual earnings.

What CPM is considered good for YouTube videos?

CPM varies significantly by niche and audience geography. Finance, business, and legal content typically see CPMs of $15–$40. Technology and software content ranges from $10–$25. Gaming and entertainment are on the lower end at $2–$8. Any CPM above your niche average is strong; the more meaningful benchmark is comparing your own RPM over time to measure monetization improvement.