--- title: What is Pay Per Click recruitment advertising? description:           --- [Skip to content](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/what-is-pay-per-click-recruitment-advertising#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![Flat Fee Main Logo](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/hubfs/flatfee-logo.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - Go to flatfeerecruiter.co.uk Go to flatfeerecruiter.co.uk Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Content Library](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration?hsLang=en) 2. [Recruitment Advice](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/recruitment-advice?hsLang=en) 3. [Job Boards Explained](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/recruitment-advice?hsLang=en#job-boards-explained) # What is Pay Per Click recruitment advertising? ### A revolution is underway in the world of online recruitment as more job boards move towards Pay Per Click pricing structures. #### This is a major change that could have a huge impact on your hiring strategy. #### **What is the difference between PPC/PPA/PPSA/CPAC and Fixed Fee Job Advertising?** #### Until recently, most job boards would simply charge a fee to advertise your role on their site for a set period.  Certain features would cost more than others, but there was no added charge relating to the success of your campaign. Whether you attracted 1 or 1,000 applicants, the cost was the same. #### PPC/PPA/PPSA/CPAC Advertising is an increasingly popular alternative that allows you to **set a budget of your choice**. A % of your budget is then charged by the job board every time a candidate performs a certain action: views the advert, clicks apply or completes an application. #### **What is PPC Job Advertising?** #### **Pay-Per-Click (PPC)** is the most straightforward. You set a maximum budget and often the % you’re willing to spend every time a candidate clicks on your advert: e.g. a £100 budget at 10p per click would guarantees a maximum 1000 views. #### The downside of this method is that **you are still charged even if candidates who clicked on your advert choose not to apply**. #### On top of this, pay-per-click sites often charge a minimum daily or monthly budget that will be used up whether or not you receive any applications. #### **What is PPA Job Advertising?** #### **Pay Per Application (PPA)** means you are only charged a % of budget when a candidate actively completes an application. There is no charge if they only view the advert or click Apply but do not follow any further instructions. #### This has the benefit that you are not wasting money on views that don’t convert to applications. #### However **the cost per application is set by the individual job boards**. #### This is based on a number of factors, including the nature of the role, the location and the number of available candidates registered on the site. #### As a result, while vacancies in high demand from jobseekers will only cost a few pence per application, harder-to-fill roles in candidate short sectors will cost significantly more. #### For example: an Administrator role in a highly populated area may only cost 2p per application, but a Carer position in a more remote location could cost as much as £25 per application. #### Due to this, there is a risk that budgets can rapidly spiral out of control, particularly for these harder-to-fill vacancies.     #### **What is PPSA / CPAC Job Advertising?** #### **Pay-Per-Started-Application (PPSA) Cost Per Application Click (CPAC**) works the same as Pay-Per-Application, the only difference being that candidates do not have to complete their application for you to be charged. As long as a jobseeker clicks *Apply Now*, you will spend a % of your overall budget.   #### **How do I know how much to set my budget?** #### Because the **Cost Per Application (CPA)** is based on market factors directly related to your role, there is no hard and fast rule about how much to spend per campaign. #### However it’s best to start with a smaller amount rather than risk wasting money on clicks or poor quality application starts. #### **More budget does not guarantee more candidates.** #### You could find yourself spending £3,000 to net the same number of candidates you would have done for just £300.   #### **Which sites use PPC/PPA/PPSA/CPAC Advertising?** #### LinkedIn and Facebook both charge advertisers using Pay-Per-Click method with a minimum daily budget. #### Sponsored Indeed adverts are now all Pay Per Started Application #### Reed is launching a CPAC option from 23rd March 2023.   #### **Will PPC become standard for job advertising?** #### It’s likely that PPC, PPA, CPAC and PPSA will eventually become the norm across the job boards. #### However, at Flat Fee Recruiter we will continue to provide **job board advertising across multiple sites at a fixed price**. The team can also manage your PPC/PPA/CPAC/PPAS budgets to ensure costs never get out of control. #### You can find out more about how we can help provide the most efficient and [cost-effective PPC recruitment solution here](https://flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/services/pay-per-click-advertising-for-a-flat-fee). #### Or you can call a member of the sales team on 0113 360 2351. - [FAQs about Flat Fee Recruiter](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/faqs-about-flat-fee-recruiter?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FFATS](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/faqs-about-flat-fee-recruiter?hsLang=en#ffats) - [Recruitment Advice](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/recruitment-advice?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Marketing your Jobs](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/recruitment-advice?hsLang=en#marketing-your-jobs) - [Job Boards Explained](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/recruitment-advice?hsLang=en#job-boards-explained) - [AI in Recruitment](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/recruitment-advice?hsLang=en#ai-in-recruitment) - [Hints and Tips](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/hints-and-tips?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Interviewing](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/hints-and-tips?hsLang=en#interviewing) - [Top Tips Videos](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/hints-and-tips?hsLang=en#top-tips-videos) - [Recruitment Communications](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/hints-and-tips?hsLang=en#recruitment-communications) - [Brochures](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/brochures?hsLang=en) - [FFATS](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/ffats?hsLang=en#main-content) - [ATS](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/migration/ffats?hsLang=en#ats) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://info.flatfeerecruiter.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/FFR_Logo.png?width=64&height=24&name=FFR_Logo.png "Chill listening crop-3")](http:/?hsLang=en) Help Center Copyright © 2026, Flat Fee Recruiter Ltd