How Many Keywords Should I Have in My Ad Group?

Short Answer: You don’t need too many keywords in your ad group. Ideally, you should have between one and five keywords at most. This focused approach helps your ads trigger relevant search terms, with related keywords often captured automatically.

Full Explanation

When creating an ad group, it’s important to keep the number of keywords limited. Having too many keywords can dilute the focus of your ad group and reduce its effectiveness. By concentrating on a small, well-selected keyword list, your ads become more targeted and relevant to the search queries people use.

For example, if you choose the keyword “microblading near me,” your ad will also automatically trigger for closely related searches such as “best eyebrow microblading near me.” This shows how a single well-chosen keyword can cover several variations, making a large list unnecessary.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Choose 1-5 keywords: Select a small number of keywords that accurately represent your ad group’s theme.
Focus on core terms: Include keywords that directly reflect what your product or service offers.
Leverage automatic triggers: Understand that some related search terms will be matched without adding extra keywords.

Real Examples

Suppose you run a beauty service targeting people looking for eyebrow microblading. Instead of adding numerous keyword variations, you would select a few precise ones like “microblading near me.” This keyword alone helps your ads appear in searches for terms such as “best eyebrow microblading near me,” demonstrating how minimal keywords still cover broad related queries.

Common Mistakes

Including too many keywords: Crowding your ad group with an excessive number of keywords can confuse your campaign’s messaging.
Failing to focus: Using unrelated or loosely connected keywords dilutes your ad relevance.
Ignoring keyword triggers: Not realizing that relevant variations are automatically matched may lead to unnecessarily expanding the keyword list.

FAQs

Can I add more than five keywords?

While you can, it’s generally unnecessary. A focused group of one to five keywords is more effective and less complicated to manage.

Will my ad appear for related searches if I only use one keyword?

Yes. For example, “microblading near me” will trigger ads for searches like “best eyebrow microblading near me” without adding extra keywords.

Why is it better to have fewer keywords?

Fewer keywords mean tighter control over your ad messaging and better targeting, leading to higher relevance and possibly better ad performance.

Key Takeaways

Keep your ad group keywords limited to one to five for optimal focus.
Well-chosen keywords can automatically cover relevant variations.
A smaller, targeted keyword list helps maintain ad relevance and effectiveness.