Cost per install
Fast track (Summarised definition)
Mobile advertising metric measuring cost to acquire each app installation, essential for mobile app marketing campaigns, user acquisition strategies, and measuring effectiveness of app store optimisation and promotional activities.
Full lap (Full definition)
Cost per install, commonly abbreviated as CPI, represents a mobile advertising metric that measures the cost to acquire each app installation, serving as essential measurement for mobile app marketing campaigns, user acquisition strategies, and effectiveness evaluation of app store optimisation and promotional activities.
The importance of CPI extends beyond installation counting to encompass mobile marketing efficiency, user acquisition cost management, and app growth strategy optimisation. Understanding CPI enables app developers and marketers to evaluate acquisition channel effectiveness, optimise marketing budgets, and ensure sustainable user growth within acceptable cost parameters.
CPI advertising operates through mobile advertising networks, app stores, and social media platforms that specialise in driving app installations through targeted promotions, incentivised downloads, and strategic placement across mobile inventory. These networks provide tracking and attribution systems that measure installation success accurately.
CPI optimisation strategies include audience targeting refinement, creative asset testing, app store optimisation, promotional timing adjustment, and channel selection that reduce installation costs whilst attracting high-quality users more likely to engage with apps long-term and provide sustainable value.
CPI considerations encompass user quality assessment, retention rate evaluation, and lifetime value analysis to ensure installation campaigns attract valuable users rather than simply maximising download volumes. Effective CPI strategies balance cost efficiency with user quality to achieve sustainable app growth.
CPI benchmarks vary significantly across app categories, geographic regions, and platforms, with typical costs ranging from AUD $1-15 per install depending on competition levels, app type, and targeting specificity. Understanding benchmarks helps establish realistic expectations and budget allocation strategies.
For businesses developing mobile applications, CPI advertising provides efficient user acquisition approach that enables measurable growth and strategic optimisation. Effective CPI management combines cost efficiency with user quality focus, ensuring app installations translate into engaged users who contribute to long-term business success and sustainable mobile app growth.