> ## 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.

# Cost per Content Downloaded: Track Download Acquisition Cost

> Track the average ad spend per content download. Calculate your cost per lead magnet engagement.

<Tip>
  Cost per Content Downloaded measures the average advertising spend required to generate one content download event.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Cost per Content Downloaded** = **Channel Spend** ÷ **Content Downloaded Events**
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                            | Definition                              |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Channel Spend**                                                                 | Total advertising spend across channels |
| [**Content Downloaded**](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/content-downloaded) | Total content download events           |

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

***

## Example

Your B2B company spent **\$6,000** on ads and generated **400 content downloads** this month.

| Content Asset   | Spend       | Downloads | Cost per Download |
| --------------- | ----------- | --------- | ----------------- |
| Industry Report | \$3,000     | 180       | \$16.67           |
| Whitepaper      | \$2,000     | 150       | \$13.33           |
| Template        | \$1,000     | 70        | \$14.29           |
| **Total**       | **\$6,000** | **400**   | **\$15.00**       |

***

## How It Works

This metric divides your total channel spend by the number of content downloads. It measures the cost of acquiring engaged prospects through content marketing, helping you optimize your lead generation budget.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario            | Action                                          |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Lead gen efficiency | Measure cost per engaged prospect               |
| Content ROI         | Compare download cost to lead value             |
| Channel comparison  | Identify best channels for content distribution |
| Budget optimization | Allocate spend to highest-performing assets     |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                                    | Relationship               |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| [Content Downloaded](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/content-downloaded)             | Count of downloads         |
| [Content Downloaded Value](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement/content-downloaded-value) | Value of downloads         |
| [Cost per Lead](/reference/metrics/funnel/conversions/cost-per-lead)                      | Full lead acquisition cost |

[See all Engagement metrics →](/reference/metrics/funnel/engagement)