How do I add a negative keyword to my ads?

Short Answer: To add a negative keyword to your ads, select the keyword you want to exclude and click on ‘add as a negative keyword’. Then, add it to your negative keyword list, making sure to include only the exact word you want to remove from your ads.

Full Explanation

Adding a negative keyword is a straightforward process used to refine where your ads appear. This technique excludes specific terms from triggering your ads, helping you to avoid irrelevant traffic. When you select a keyword to exclude, you essentially tell the advertising platform to prevent your ads from showing whenever that particular word is part of a search query.

It is important that only the exact word you want to exclude is included in your negative keywords list. For instance, if your goal is to exclude the word “cost” from the phrase “carpet cleaning cost,” you should only add “cost” as the negative keyword. This ensures your ad can still appear for other relevant phrases like “carpet cleaning services” without being blocked entirely.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Identify the keyword you want to prevent from triggering your ads.
2. Select that keyword within your ad management interface.
3. Click on the option labeled ‘add as a negative keyword’.
4. Save the keyword into a negative keyword list to keep it organized.
5. Double-check that the negative keyword list contains only the individual word or phrase you want to exclude.

Real Examples

For example, if you want to avoid your ads showing up for searches related to pricing, you would add only the word “cost” to your negative keyword list. This prevents your ads from appearing when users search for “carpet cleaning cost” but still allows ads to show for “carpet cleaning” or other related searches that do not include “cost.”

Common Mistakes

• Including extra words in the negative keyword entry, which can unintentionally block more searches than intended.
• Failing to add the keyword to a negative keyword list, which may cause disorganization and difficulty in managing exclusions.
• Not reviewing your negative keyword list to ensure it only contains the exact words you want to exclude.

FAQs

Q: Can I add multiple negative keywords at once?
A: The process involves adding individual words or phrases, but typically you can manage multiple negative keywords by adding them sequentially to your list.

Q: Will adding a negative keyword block my ads completely?
A: No. Adding a negative keyword only blocks ads from appearing when that specific word is used in a search query, not all queries.

Key Takeaways

• Adding negative keywords helps refine your ad targeting by excluding unwanted search terms.
• Always add only the exact word you want to exclude to a negative keyword list.
• Careful management of negative keywords helps improve ad efficiency and save budget by avoiding irrelevant impressions.