How to See Negative Keywords in Google Ads
Negative keywords are a powerful tool in Google Ads that help you exclude irrelevant search terms, ensuring your ads only appear for the most relevant queries. If you're not using them effectively, you could be wasting budget on clicks that don’t convert. Here’s how to find and manage negative keywords in Google Ads.
Why Negative Keywords Matter
Negative keywords prevent your ads from showing for searches that aren’t relevant to your business. For example, if you sell premium laptops, adding "cheap" as a negative keyword ensures your ads don’t appear for searches like "cheap laptops." This improves your click-through rate (CTR) and lowers wasted spend.
How to View Negative Keywords in Google Ads
Follow these steps to see your existing negative keywords:
- Log in to Google Ads: Go to ads.google.com and sign in.
- Navigate to Keywords: In the left-hand menu, click "Keywords."
- Select Negative Keywords: Under the "Keywords" tab, click "Negative keywords" to see a list of all excluded terms.
- Filter by Campaign or Ad Group: Use the dropdown menus to view negative keywords at the campaign or ad group level.
How to Add Negative Keywords
To add new negative keywords:
- Go to the Negative Keywords Section: As outlined above.
- Click the "+" Button: Choose whether to add at the campaign or ad group level.
- Enter Keywords: Add terms one at a time or in bulk, separated by commas.
- Save Changes: Click "Save" to apply the new negative keywords.
Best Practices for Negative Keywords
- Regularly Review Search Terms: Check your "Search Terms" report to find irrelevant queries to exclude.
- Use Match Types Wisely: Broad, phrase, and exact match negatives offer different levels of exclusion.
- Organize with Lists: Create shared negative keyword lists for efficiency.
Conclusion
Managing negative keywords in Google Ads is essential for optimizing your campaigns. By regularly reviewing and updating your exclusions, you can improve ad relevance, reduce wasted spend, and boost ROI. Start auditing your negative keywords today!