Using negative keywords in a Google Ads campaign is a powerful way to improve relevance, reduce wasted spend, and boost ROI by preventing your ads from showing for irrelevant search queries.
🚫 What Are Negative Keywords?
Negative keywords tell Google not to show your ads for specific search terms that are:
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Irrelevant to your product/service
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Low-converting
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Too broad or misleading
✅ How to Use Negative Keywords Effectively
1. Prevent Irrelevant Traffic
If you sell premium watches but not smartwatches, you could add:
This ensures you don’t pay for clicks that won’t convert.
2. Refine Match Types
Like regular keywords, negatives have match types:
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Broad match: blocks queries containing any of the words.
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Phrase match: blocks queries with the exact phrase in that order.
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Exact match: blocks the exact query only.
Example:
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Negative keyword:
"free trial"
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Blocks: “SEO tool free trial”
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Allows: “SEO tool demo” (if “demo” isn't a negative too)
3. Filter Out Low-Intent Searches
Block informational or research-based terms (especially in lead-gen or ecommerce):
4. Use the Search Terms Report
Regularly check the Search Terms Report in Google Ads to:
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Identify irrelevant queries that triggered your ad
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Add them as negatives
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Spot trends (e.g., if many people search for “used” and you only sell new)
5. Segment Campaigns by Intent
For brand campaigns, use generic product terms as negatives. For non-brand campaigns, you might exclude brand terms to avoid overlap.
6. Use Negative Keyword Lists
Create and apply shared negative keyword lists across multiple campaigns for:
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Industry-specific exclusions (e.g., “cheap”, “scam”)
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Global exclusions (e.g., “free”, “DIY”)
🎯 Real-World Example
If you're advertising luxury furniture, your negatives might include:
This helps you focus your budget on high-intent, relevant traffic.