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Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Arts

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Cost Per App Install for Arts

November 2024 - November 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Introduction

Across all countries in our dataset, the Arts industry posted consistently low Facebook Ads cost per app install (CPI) through 2025, punctuated by a single April surge. For most months, Arts CPI tracked well below the global benchmark, settling into a stable, low-$3 range with a gentle lift into early Q4. Volatility was minimal outside of April’s spike, which briefly pushed Arts above market before costs reset. This analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks. This analysis explores ad performance trends for Arts in all countries compared to the global benchmark.

The story in the data

Arts CPI began 2025 at $2.67 in January, dipped to the yearly low of $1.34 in March, then surged to a high of $15.47 in April. After that shock, costs normalized quickly: May through October ranged from $3.20 to $3.90, ending October at $3.90 — about 46% higher than January but still inexpensive in absolute terms.

Across the 10 months, Arts CPI averaged $4.29. Excluding April’s outlier, the average was $3.05, underscoring how steady the category was after spring. Month-to-month volatility averaged $3.26, dominated by the March-to-April jump of +$14.13 and the April-to-May reset of −$12.21. Removing those two moves, typical monthly changes were just $0.43 — a notably calm trajectory.

Key beats:

  • Low: $1.34 (March)
  • High: $15.47 (April)
  • Average: $4.29; $3.05 excluding April
  • Jan → Oct trend: +46%
  • Volatility: $3.26 average absolute monthly change; $0.43 excluding April

Seasonal and monthly dynamics

The pattern reads like a classic Q1 softness, a spring disruption, and a stable summer that edges up into Q4. Q1 softened into March’s trough, April spiked sharply, and May brought a return to form. From May through August, costs hovered in a tight band around the low $3s, with a gradual firming in September and October (from $3.72 to $3.90). This rhythm aligns with broader Facebook Ads benchmarks where competition can intensify outside of Q1, while Q3 often stabilizes before Q4 pressures build.

Country vs. Global

Against the global baseline, Arts CPI was markedly lower almost every month:

  • Average gap: Arts at $4.29 vs. global $15.41 — roughly 72% below.
  • Only April ran above market: $15.47 vs. $12.59 (+23%).
  • The widest gap appeared in June: $3.20 vs. $27.90 (about 89% below).
  • Monthly relative differences otherwise ranged from ~63% below (January) to 82–88% below (August–September).

Trend and volatility differed as well. The global series climbed from $7.13 in January to $19.14 in October (+169%), with a pronounced June peak ($27.90) and average monthly swings of $6.65 — roughly double the Arts series overall, and far higher than Arts’ post-April pattern.

Closing

In sum, Facebook Ads benchmarks for cost per app install show the Arts industry across all countries running well below global ad costs, with a brief April surge and a steady low-$3 cadence through the rest of the year. Understanding cost-per-install trends for Arts across all countries helps marketers contextualize industry ad performance and compare it to broader, more volatile global patterns alongside related CPC trends, CPM analysis, and CTR performance discussions.

Understanding the Data

Insights & analysis of Facebook advertising costs

Facebook advertising costs vary based on many factors including industry, target audience, ad placement, and campaign objectives. In the Arts industry, Facebook ad costs can be influenced by seasonal trends and market competition. Geographic targeting affects ad costs based on market competition and user engagement in different regions. Different campaign objectives lead to varying costs based on how Facebook optimizes for your specific goals. The data shown represents median values across multiple campaigns, and individual results may vary based on ad quality, audience targeting, and campaign optimization.

Why we use median instead of average

We use the median CTR because the underlying distribution of click-through rates is highly skewed, with a small share of campaigns achieving extremely high CTRs. These outliers can inflate a simple average, making it less representative of what most advertisers actually experience. By using the median—which sits at the midpoint of all campaigns—we provide a more rigorous and realistic benchmark that reflects the true underlying data model and helps you set attainable performance expectations.

Key Factors Affecting Facebook Ad Costs

  • Competition within your selected industry and audience demographics
  • Ad quality and relevance score – higher quality ads can lower costs
  • Campaign objective and bid strategy
  • Timing and seasonality – costs often increase during holiday periods
  • Ad placement (News Feed, Instagram, Audience Network, etc.)

Note: This data represents industry median values and benchmarks. Your actual costs may vary based on specific targeting, ad creative quality, and campaign optimization.

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The data behind the benchmarks

All data is sourced from over $3B in Facebook ad spend, collected across thousands of ad accounts that use Superads daily to analyze and improve their campaigns. Every data point is fully anonymized and aggregated—no individual advertiser is ever exposed.

This dataset updates frequently as new ad data flows in. It will only get bigger and better.

What's a good CPI for iOS vs Android in 2025?

iOS CPIs often range from $2 to $5 or more. Android is usually cheaper, between $1 and $3. Your CPI will depend on geo, creative, and optimization goal.

Why is my app install cost higher in some countries?

Some regions like the US, UK, and Canada have higher competition and stricter privacy regulations, which drive up costs. Countries with lower purchasing power typically have cheaper CPIs.

What creatives drive the lowest CPI on Facebook?

Short videos showing app benefits, UGC-style content, and localized messaging tend to perform best. Clear CTAs and fast-paced visuals help lower your CPI.

Should I optimize for installs or in-app actions?

Optimizing for installs gets volume, but optimizing for actions like signups or purchases brings higher quality users. It depends on your goals and how much post-install behavior matters.

How do I lower CPI without tanking app retention or quality?

Align your creative with the app experience, avoid misleading ads, and exclude users who already installed. You can also test lookalike audiences based on high-quality users, not just all installers.