PPC Meaning in Plain English
Paid search is a common form of PPC, but other ad platforms also charge by the click. Eligibility and cost can depend on targeting, bids, relevance, competition, and platform rules.
A click means someone reached the destination. It does not guarantee that the person was qualified, completed a form, or became a customer.
Example
A commercial repair company may bid to show a search ad when relevant local businesses search for its service, then pay when a searcher clicks.
Why It Matters
PPC can create measurable access to relevant audiences, but the campaign, search terms, landing page, offer, and tracking must work together.