How To Create A NEGATIVE Keyword List For Google Ads | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn how to build a negative keyword list to optimize Google Ads campaigns and reduce costs.

Key Insights

• 🫠 A robust negative keyword list is essential for preventing wasted ad spend in Google Ads by excluding irrelevant traffic.
• 👻 Reviewing search term reports regularly allows advertisers to identify and react to unwanted clicks efficiently.
• 🫠 Using broad and exact match types correctly for negative keywords helps control when ads are shown to potential customers.
• 🥶 Common negative keywords like "free" and "cheap" are valuable for most businesses to filter out cost-focused searchers.
• 👨‍🔬 Google Keyword Planner offers valuable tools for discovering additional negative keywords based on specific search term explorations.
• 🐕‍🦺 Industry-specific terms, like "bookkeeping" for accounting services, can be important to add as negative keywords to maintain campaign focus.
• 👤 Competitor brands and unrelated service terms should be included in the negative keywords to prevent click-throughs from disinterested users.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why are negative keywords important in Google Ads?

Negative keywords are crucial because they prevent your ads from being shown to individuals searching for terms that are not relevant to your products or services. For instance, if your ad is designed for online interior design courses, you wouldn't want it shown to someone searching for "free software." By adding relevant negative keywords, you can avoid wasting your ad spend on clicks that won't convert.

Q: How do you create a negative keyword list in Google Ads?

To create a negative keyword list, navigate to the appropriate section within your Google Ads account. You can add negative keywords at the campaign or ad group level. Alternatively, you can create a separate list that can be used across multiple campaigns. The video demonstrates clicking the negative keywords option, then adding keywords that will help filter out irrelevant traffic.

Q: What are some common negative keywords that businesses should consider?

Common negative keywords include terms like "free," "cheap," and "cheapest," as they often attract individuals who aren't willing to pay for services. Additionally, brands or competitors that you do not sell, such as "Nike" for an Adidas store, should also be included to prevent clicks from searchers looking for that specific brand.

Q: How can you identify which negative keywords to add to your list?

You can identify negative keywords by reviewing search term reports, where you'll find queries that triggered your ads but generated no conversions. Additionally, using tools like Google Keyword Planner can help you discover irrelevant keyword suggestions related to your main terms, allowing you to systematically filter out unwanted searches.

Q: What is the significance of keyword match types for negative keywords?

Keyword match types dictate how closely a user's search must match your negative keyword to prevent your ad from showing up. For example, adding a negative keyword as an exact match restricts it to that specific phrase. Using the correct match type is essential to ensure you're effectively excluding terms without unintentionally blocking relevant searches.

Q: How often should you review and update your negative keyword list?

Regular monitoring of your negative keyword list is important, with recommendations suggesting a weekly review. Search term reports can reveal new irrelevant terms that come up, allowing you to continually refine your keyword strategy based on recent search trends and user behavior.

Q: What role does the Google Keyword Planner play in finding negative keywords?

The Google Keyword Planner can provide extensive keyword suggestions that give insights into how searches could relate to your offerings. By exporting this list and examining which suggested terms are irrelevant to your business, you can compile a comprehensive negative keyword list that enhances your campaign's effectiveness.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• This content outlines the importance of creating a negative keyword list for Google Ads campaigns to prevent irrelevant clicks that waste advertising budgets.

• It describes multiple methods of identifying and adding negative keywords, including assessing search term reports and using the Google Keyword Planner tool.

• The video emphasizes the significance of regularly monitoring search terms to refine the negative keyword list, ultimately improving ad relevance and cost efficiency.