What is CPM, and does it work for streamers?
CPM means cost per mille: the price an advertiser pays for one thousand ad impressions. It's the default unit in display and video advertising, but for a live stream it's a blunt instrument, because an impression doesn't say how long anyone actually watched. Publsh prices on viewer-seconds instead.
What CPM actually measures
CPM answers one question: what does a thousand impressions cost. An impression usually just means the ad was served, not that anyone looked. That works for a banner that loads once, but a stream ad is on screen for minutes at a time in front of a live room, so counting a single impression throws away almost everything that made the placement valuable.
Why viewer-seconds fit live better
A stream ad's worth is time on screen times the people watching. Publsh counts that directly as viewer-seconds: every second your ad renders, multiplied by the live audience present. It rewards a longer, well-placed spot in front of an engaged room, which is what a stream actually delivers, rather than a one-and-done impression count.
Can you still think in CPM?
Yes, as a translation. If a brand thinks in CPM, viewer-seconds convert into an effective cost per thousand people watching over time, so you can speak their language without pricing your stream like a static banner. The point is that the underlying meter is honest about attention.
What this means for your rate
Set your rate on the value of real attention, not a follower count and not a bare impression. On Publsh you price each placement by the hour, and the delivery is measured, so a brand pays for what was actually on screen in front of a live audience.
Frequently asked
What does CPM stand for?
CPM stands for cost per mille, meaning cost per thousand ad impressions. It's the standard pricing unit in display and video advertising, where advertisers pay a set price for every thousand times an ad is served.
Is CPM a good way to price a stream sponsorship?
Not on its own. CPM counts impressions, which don't capture how long an ad was on screen or how many people were actually watching a live stream. Publsh prices on viewer-seconds, the live audience multiplied by time on screen, which fits live far better.