Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install Benchmarks for Public Administration

See how your app install costs compare. Explore mobile acquisition cost benchmarks by industry, region, and platform

Cost Per App Install for Public Administration

July 2025 - July 2026

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Introduction

The main story: app-install costs were generally moderate for much of the 12‑month window, then ended the period with a dramatic spike. The global COST_PER_APP_INSTALL benchmark averaged about $21.84 over the period, but values ranged widely — a low near $9.36 in December 2025 and a surge to $96.91 in July 2026. Volatility was notable, with a string of mid‑double‑digit month‑to‑month swings and one extreme jump at the end. 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 Public Administration in All countries available compared to the global benchmark. (Note: an industry‑specific time series for Public Administration / All countries was not supplied; the narrative below focuses on the available global COST_PER_APP_INSTALL baseline.)

The story in the data

The baseline series started at $9.95 in July 2025 and finished at $96.91 in July 2026 — nearly a tenfold increase from the opening month. Across 13 monthly medians the central tendency was about $21.8 per app install. The minimum occurred in December 2025 ($9.36) and the first clear peak appeared in February 2026 ($30.13). After a return to mid‑teens through spring (March–June 2026 averaged roughly $16–$19), July 2026 produced an outsized high of $96.91.

Month‑to‑month moves were frequent and sometimes sharp: typical increases of 20–30% in late‑2025 (July→August→September), a near 37% rebound into January, a 135% jump into February, and a 45% retreat into March. Including the July spike, average absolute month‑to‑month change was roughly 77%; excluding that final outlier the average swing settles nearer to 33%. Those figures underline a baseline that is usually bumpy and punctuated by rare but extreme shifts.

Seasonal and monthly dynamics

Seasonal rhythm is visible: a softer late‑year trough in December 2025 coincides with the period’s lowest CPI, followed by a Q1 lift that peaks in February 2026. Spring months (March–May) see stabilization in the mid‑teens, and early summer (June) holds steady before the abrupt July escalation. The pattern reads as a quiet Q4 trough, a Q1 rebound, a steadier Q2, and then an exceptional outlier at the start of Q3.

These monthly patterns suggest recurring periods of lower competition or pricing pressure (late Q4) and concentrated cost jumps in early Q1 and mid‑year — the latter of which produced the largest deviation from the baseline.

Country vs. Global

Because a specific Public Administration series for All countries was not provided, direct numerical gaps versus the global baseline cannot be calculated here. Using the baseline as the global reference point, the dataset shows how industry ad performance can swing between single‑digit to triple‑digit CPI values within a year. Descriptively, the baseline exhibits episodes of being both below‑average (December lows near $9–$12) and well‑above average (February and July peaks), illustrating how country‑specific ad costs and industry ad performance can diverge from an aggregate norm.

Understanding Facebook Ads Cost Per App Install benchmarks for Public Administration in All countries available helps advertisers evaluate volatility in country-specific ad costs and compare industry ad performance to broader CPM, CPC trends and CTR performance signals.

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 Public Administration 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.