Bloc Ad Bidding – How Bloc Ad Bidding Works on Bloc for Business

Whether you’re a local bar looking to fill tables on a Tuesday night or a global brand promoting a new product launch, the success of your campaign on Bloc depends on one critical mechanic: the auction & ad bidding.

At Bloc, we’ve built an advertising ecosystem designed specifically for the “experience economy.”

Because our users are incentivised to attend venues and connect in real life, your ads aren’t just digital noise – they are invitations to real-world action.

To make the most of this, you need to understand Bloc Ad Bidding.

This guide will walk you through how the bidding system works, the four core bidding methods available, and how to choose the right strategy to smash your business goals.

What is Bloc Ad Bidding?

In the simplest terms, Bloc Ad Bidding is the process through which we determine which ads get shown to which users, and at what price.

Every time there is an opportunity to show an ad to a user – whether they are checking the interactive map, scrolling their newsfeed, or looking at an events list – an automated auction takes place in milliseconds.

Unlike a traditional auction where the highest bidder always wins, Bloc’s auction is a balance of two key factors:

1. Bid Price: The maximum amount you are willing to pay for your desired result.

2. Ad Relevance: How likely a specific user is to engage with your ad based on their location, interests, and past behavior.

By combining these two metrics, we ensure that users see ads they actually care about, and advertisers get the highest possible return on their investment.

A strong bid doesn’t just buy visibility; it increases your “reach” and helps you maximize the volume of conversions (like check-ins) you drive on the app.

The Four Core Bidding Methods

When you create a campaign in the Bloc Ads Manager, you’ll be asked to choose a bidding method.

Each method is designed to align with a specific stage of the marketing funnel.

1. CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions)

• Best for: Brand Awareness & Reach

• How it works: With CPM, your bid is the price you are willing to pay for every 1,000 times your ad is displayed on a screen.

• Why use it: Use CPM when your primary goal is “Top of Mind” awareness. If you want as many people as possible within a 10-mile radius of your venue to know your name, CPM is the most cost-effective way to achieve massive scale.

2. oCPM (Optimized Cost Per Thousand Impressions)

• Best for: Conversions, App Installs, & Lead Gen

• How it works: This is our most “intelligent” bidding method and is the default for conversion-based goals. While you are still charged per 1,000 impressions, our algorithm specifically targets users within your audience who are most likely to take your desired action.

• Why use it: oCPM takes the guesswork out of targeting. If you want people to become a lead or install your own branded app, oCPM uses Bloc’s data to find the “hot” prospects for you.

3. CPV (Cost Per View)

• Best for: High-Impact Video Marketing

• How it works: This method is tailored for video ads. You only pay when a “focused view” occurs. A charge is triggered when:

  • A user watches at least 6 seconds of your video.

  • A user interacts with the ad (clicks/taps) within the first 6 seconds.

• Why use it: Video is the best way to showcase the “vibe” of a venue. CPV ensures you aren’t paying for users who quickly scroll past; you only pay for those who are genuinely captured by your content.

4. CPC (Cost Per Click)

• Best for: Driving Web Traffic & Profile Visits

• How it works: Your bid is the price you’re willing to pay for a single click. Bloc’s system will deliver your ads to people most likely to click through to your website or booking link.

• Why use it: If your goal is to get people onto your reservation page or your Instagram profile, CPC offers the most direct control over your traffic costs.

Comparing Bidding Methods at a Glance

Choosing the right method depends on your “Advertising Objective.” Use the table below to find your match:

Bidding Method	Calculation	Billing Event	Best For
CPM	Cost / 1,000 Impressions	Every impression	Reach: Maximize eyes on your brand.
oCPM	Cost / 1,000 Impressions	Every impression	Conversions: Sales, Leads, & Followers.
CPV	Cost / Focused View	6s view or interaction	Video: Engaging visual storytelling.
CPC	Cost / Click	Per click	Traffic: Driving users to your URL.

How to Win the Auction: Strategy & Tips

To get the best results on Bloc for Business, you shouldn’t just “set and forget” your bids. Here are three strategies to help you win:

Fine-Tune Based on Relevance

Remember, bid price is only half the battle. If your ad has a high “Relevance Score” (meaning people are clicking and checking in frequently), you can often win auctions even against competitors with higher bids. Pro tip: Use high-quality photography of your venue’s best features to naturally boost relevance.

Start with Automatic, Move to Manual

If you’re new to Bloc, we recommend starting with our default settings (like oCPM for conversions). This allows our system to gather data on who responds best to your ad. Once you have a baseline, you can switch to manual bidding to “fine-tune” your costs and aggressive reach.

Match Your Bid to Your Margin

When using CPC or oCPM, consider the value of a customer. If the average spend at your venue is £30, bidding £1.50 for a high-intent click is a fantastic investment. Align your bid with the real-world value that a Bloc user brings to your business.

Conclusion: Ready to Grow?

Bloc Ad Bidding is designed to be flexible enough for any business strategy.

Whether you want to blast a 10-mile radius with a new opening announcement via CPM or drive laser-targeted table bookings via oCPM, our auction system works tirelessly to put your budget to its best possible use.

The best way to learn is by doing. With Bloc for Business, you have full control over your spend, your strategy, and your success.