> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Signup Started Cost: Ad Spend per Signup Initiation

> Calculate advertising cost per signup initiation. Measure cost to generate signup intent.

<Tip>
  Signup Started Cost measures how much you spend on advertising for each signup initiation.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Signup Started Cost** = **Ad Spend** ÷ **Signup Started**
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                     | Definition                                         |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| [**Ad Spend**](/reference/metrics/advertising/blended/blended-spend)       | Total advertising cost from connected ad platforms |
| [**Signup Started**](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/signup-started) | Count of signup initiations                        |

| Metadata        |                         |
| --------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Type**        | Currency                |
| **Data Source** | [Upstack Pixel](/pixel) |
| **Aggregation** | Ratio                   |

***

## Example

You spent **\$5,000** on Meta ads in January and drove **1,380 signup starts**.

| Metric              | Value   | Notes                    |
| ------------------- | ------- | ------------------------ |
| Ad Spend            | \$5,000 | Monthly advertising cost |
| Signup Started      | 1,380   | Signup initiations       |
| Signup Started Cost | \$3.62  | Cost per signup start    |

***

## How It Works

This metric divides your total ad spend by the number of signup starts. It measures the cost to generate signup intent, useful for top-of-funnel optimization.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                  | Action                                     |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Top-of-funnel efficiency  | Measure cost to generate intent            |
| Channel comparison        | Compare signup interest by source          |
| Landing page optimization | Compare signup start costs across variants |
| Budget allocation         | Optimize for early funnel conversions      |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                               | Relationship                        |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| [Signup Started](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/signup-started)               | The denominator in this calculation |
| [Signup Started Value](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/signup-started-value)   | Value of signup starts              |
| [Signup Completed Cost](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/signup-completed-cost) | Cost for completed signups          |

[See all Conversions metrics →](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions)