How to Find Negative Keywords for Better PPC Performance

Negative keywords are a powerful tool in PPC advertising. They help you exclude irrelevant search queries, ensuring your ads only appear for high-intent audiences. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best methods to find negative keywords and optimize your campaigns.

What Are Negative Keywords?

Negative keywords are terms you add to your PPC campaigns to prevent your ads from showing for irrelevant searches. For example, if you sell luxury watches, adding "cheap" as a negative keyword ensures your ads don’t appear for budget-conscious shoppers.

Why Negative Keywords Matter

Using negative keywords improves campaign efficiency by:

• Reducing wasted ad spend
• Increasing click-through rates (CTR)
• Boosting conversion rates
• Improving Quality Score

How to Find Negative Keywords

1. Analyze Search Term Reports

Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising provide search term reports showing actual queries triggering your ads. Review these regularly to identify irrelevant terms to add as negatives.

2. Use Google’s Keyword Planner

Keyword Planner suggests related terms. Look for irrelevant variations and add them to your negative keyword list.

3. Leverage Competitor Research

Tools like SEMrush or SpyFu reveal competitor keywords. Identify mismatches and exclude them from your campaigns.

4. Brainstorm Irrelevant Terms

Think like a searcher. List terms unrelated to your product or service (e.g., "free," "DIY," "jobs").

5. Use Negative Keyword Tools

Tools like NegativeKeywords.com or Optmyzr automate negative keyword discovery, saving time.

Best Practices for Negative Keywords

• Group negatives by match type (broad, phrase, exact)
• Update lists regularly
• Segment by campaign or ad group
• Avoid over-blocking relevant traffic

Conclusion

Finding negative keywords is essential for PPC success. By following these steps, you’ll reduce wasted spend, improve ad relevance, and maximize ROI. Start refining your campaigns today!