Every dollar your Google Ads budget spends on an irrelevant click is a dollar that could have reached a genuine prospect.
Across the accounts we manage, adding a structured negative keyword list on day one typically reduces wasted spend by 15% to 30% in the first month alone.
That’s not a rounding error. On a $10,000 monthly budget, that’s $1,500 to $3,000 redirected toward clicks that actually convert.
Below, you’ll find 997 negative keywords organised into a universal list and 12 industry-specific lists — each formatted for direct import into Google Ads.
Copy the keywords, paste them into your shared negative keyword list, and start filtering out junk traffic immediately.
Before we get to the lists, a quick primer on how to use them effectively — because a negative keyword applied incorrectly can block the very traffic you want.
How Negative Keywords Work (The 90-Second Version)
Negative keywords tell Google: ‘Do not show my ad when a search query contains this word or phrase.’
They come in three match types, and the match type matters enormously.
Negative Broad Match
This is the default. Adding free as a negative broad match blocks your ad from showing whenever the word ‘free’ appears anywhere in the query, in any order.
The query ‘free plumbing quote’ would be blocked. So would ‘is this quote free.’
It does not block close variants, synonyms, or misspellings the way positive broad match expands them. Negative broad match is literal.
Insight
Unlike positive broad match, negative broad match won’t catch misspellings or synonyms. If you negate “free,” someone searching “fre plumbing quote” (a typo) could still trigger your ad. Add common misspellings of your most costly negatives separately.
Negative Phrase Match
Adding “free quote” (in quotes) blocks queries that contain the exact phrase ‘free quote’ in that order.
‘Get a free quote’ would be blocked. ‘Free plumbing quote’ would not, because ‘plumbing’ breaks the phrase.
Negative Exact Match
Adding [free quote] (in brackets) blocks only the exact query ‘free quote.’ Nothing more, nothing less.
Our recommendation for these lists. We recommend adding most keywords as negative broad match (no punctuation, just the word), or negative phrase match (just “the words” if it’s more than one word).
This gives you the widest protection.
We’ll flag specific cases where phrase or exact match is smarter.
How to Import These Lists Into Google Ads
- In your Google Ads account, navigate to Tools & Settings > Shared Library > Negative Keyword Lists.
- Click the blue + button to create a new list. Name it clearly (e.g., ‘Universal Negatives’ or ‘Dental Industry Negatives’).
- Click Add negative keywords, paste the relevant keywords from below (one per line), and save.
- Apply the list to the appropriate campaigns.
You can also add negative keywords at the campaign or ad group level.
Shared lists are more efficient for broad exclusions; ad group negatives are better for sculpting traffic between ad groups within a campaign.
Pro Tip
Name your shared lists with a clear prefix system like “NEG_Universal,” “NEG_Legal,” or “NEG_Campaign_Implants.” When you’re managing dozens of lists across multiple campaigns, consistent naming saves hours of troubleshooting.
A Word on Using These Lists Responsibly
These lists are starting points, not set-and-forget solutions.
Before importing, scan each list and remove any keyword that conflicts with your actual offering. If you’re a law firm that genuinely offers free consultations, don’t negate ‘free.’ If you’re a training provider, don’t negate ‘course’ or ‘class.’
Context is everything.
After importing, check your Search Terms report weekly for the first month, then fortnightly. You’ll find new negatives to add and occasionally discover that a keyword you negated is blocking good traffic.
Keep In Mind
Blindly importing a full list without reviewing it against your own services is one of the fastest ways to tank a campaign. Spend 10 minutes scanning before you paste — it could save you thousands in lost leads.
Now, let’s get into the lists.
Universal Negative Keywords (Apply to Almost Every Account)
These 152 keywords filter out searches related to jobs, education, DIY, free-seekers, and other intent signals that waste budget for most advertisers.
Unless your business specifically targets one of these intents, add the entire list.
Job and Career Seekers (38 keywords)
job jobs career careers hiring recruit recruiting recruitment vacancy vacancies employment employer resume resumes cv cover letter internship internships apprentice apprenticeship volunteer volunteering salary salaries wage wages hourly pay job description job posting glassdoor indeed seek linkedin jobs work from home jobs part time job full time job job application job openings
Education and Research Intent (31 keywords)
university college coursework assignment homework thesis dissertation research paper scholarly academic journal article case study example what is definition define meaning wikipedia wiki history of origins of theory theories textbook syllabus curriculum lecture professor student discount scholarship study guide essay
Free and Cheap Seekers (22 keywords)
free freebie freebies cheap cheapest bargain discount code coupon coupon code promo code voucher deal deals clearance giveaway no cost complimentary budget dirt cheap low cost second hand used
By the Numbers
Queries containing “free,” “cheap,” or “DIY” account for a disproportionate share of wasted ad spend. In one audit of a $15K/month account, these three intent categories alone were responsible for 22% of total clicks with a 0% conversion rate.
DIY and Self-Service (18 keywords)
diy do it yourself how to fix how to build how to make homemade home remedy tutorial step by step self install self repair fix it yourself build your own make your own template free printable download free open source
Informational and Non-Commercial (21 keywords)
what does how does why does who is where is when did can you should i is it possible pros and cons vs versus comparison review reviews reddit forum quora blog article podcast
Negative Brand and Complaint Signals (12 keywords)
scam scams fraud complaint complaints lawsuit lawsuits ripoff rip off terrible worst sucks
Miscellaneous Universal (10 keywords)
porn sex nude naked torrent pirate crack hack cheat meme
Universal total: 152 keywords
Industry-Specific Negative Keyword Lists
Each list below is designed for the named industry.
Combine it with the universal list above for maximum coverage.
Pro Tip
Even if your industry isn’t listed here, scan the other lists for crossover terms. A financial planner might find useful negatives in the Education list, and a SaaS company might benefit from terms in the E-commerce list.
1. Legal Services (94 keywords)
law school bar exam lsat paralegal course legal studies legal assistant training legal secretary pro bono free legal advice free lawyer free attorney legal aid public defender court forms court records court dates case lookup case search docket statute legislation legal definition legal term sample contract contract template legal template power of attorney template will template divorce papers free legal forms free notary notary public become a lawyer how to become an attorney law degree juris doctor legal internship legal career legal jobs bailiff judge magistrate court reporter law clerk legal transcription mock trial moot court legal drama legal movie legal show legal series tv show crime documentary true crime criminal minds law and order legal podcast legal blog legal news supreme court federal court appeals court small claims small claims court traffic ticket parking ticket speeding fine jury duty jury service legal malpractice disbarred bar association legal ethics continuing legal education cle legal software legal tech case management software practice management legal billing software clio smokeball legal zoom legalzoom rocket lawyer do i need a lawyer can i sue how to sue how to file statute of limitations class action class action settlement settlement calculator personal injury calculator
Legal services total: 94 keywords
Keep In Mind
Terms like “do i need a lawyer” and “can i sue” might seem like prospect queries, but they overwhelmingly attract informational browsers — not people ready to hire. If your firm’s data shows otherwise, remove them from the list.
2. Home Services (Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, Roofing) (92 keywords)
how to fix a how to repair a how to install a how to replace a how to unclog how to unblock diy plumbing diy electrical diy roofing diy hvac plumbing code electrical code building code building permit permit required code compliance plumbing diagram wiring diagram circuit diagram schematic plumbing parts electrical parts hvac parts roofing materials wholesale wholesale supplier parts supplier home depot lowes bunnings trade supply plumber salary electrician salary hvac technician salary roofer salary plumbing apprenticeship electrical apprenticeship hvac training roofing course trade school journeyman master plumber exam electrical license contractor license how to become a plumber how to become an electrician plumbing school electrical school hvac certification plumbing book electrical book hvac manual troubleshooting guide repair manual service manual parts diagram exploded view model number serial number recall class action warranty claim warranty registration extended warranty home warranty home warranty company home insurance claim insurance adjuster property manager landlord tenant rights rental property rental maintenance commercial hvac industrial plumbing industrial electrical commercial roofing contractor jobs subcontractor general contractor contractor software service titan housecall pro jobber field service software scheduling software plumbing forum hvac forum electrical forum hvac reddit plumbing reddit youtube plumbing youtube electrical plumbing video plumbing vlog tool review best tools for tool comparison
Home services total: 92 keywords
Insight
DIY queries are the single biggest budget drain for home service advertisers. Someone searching “how to unclog a drain” wants a YouTube video, not a $200 callout fee. The “how to” prefix alone can account for 10-15% of irrelevant clicks in a typical trades campaign.
3. Dental and Orthodontic (82 keywords)
dental school dental hygienist school dental assistant training dental assistant course dental degree orthodontist school how to become a dentist dental board exam dental license dental anatomy dental terminology dental research dental journal dental caries definition dental pulp dental histology tooth anatomy tooth diagram dental x ray interpretation dental radiograph dental lab dental laboratory dental technician dental lab technician dental supply dental supplies wholesale dental equipment dental chair dental instruments autoclave sterilisation equipment dental software dental practice management dentrix eaglesoft open dental dental insurance dental cover dental plan dental benefits dental hmo dental ppo does insurance cover insurance claim dental claim form dental code cdt code ada code dental billing dental coding dental school clinic dental school patient teaching hospital dental community dental clinic free dental clinic free dental care free dental check up charity dental volunteer dental dental mission dental volunteer abroad dental tourism dental holiday dental vacation dental abroad teeth whitening diy home teeth whitening whitening strips charcoal teeth baking soda teeth oil pulling home remedy toothache clove oil toothache toothache remedy tooth fairy dental meme dental joke dental phobia forum dental anxiety reddit dental horror story dental malpractice dental complaint dental board complaint dental negligence worst dentist
Dental total: 82 keywords
Quick Win
If you run a dental practice, add “dental tourism” and its variants immediately. These searchers are specifically looking to travel overseas for cheaper treatment — they’ll never book with a local provider.
4. Real Estate (Agents, Brokerages, Property Management) (88 keywords)
real estate license real estate exam real estate course real estate school how to become a real estate agent real estate career real estate salary real estate commission rates real estate agent jobs real estate internship real estate degree property management course property management certification real estate investing real estate investment investment property rental yield cap rate cash flow property flip flipping houses house flip wholesale real estate wholesale property foreclosure foreclosures bank owned reo tax lien tax deed auction property auction sheriff sale short sale fsbo for sale by owner sell my house myself sell without agent flat fee mls discount broker rebate agent zillow trulia realtor.com redfin rightmove domain.com.au realestate.com.au zoopla property value home value house value property estimate property appraisal zestimate automated valuation comparable sales comps real estate market housing market market crash housing bubble market forecast property data property records title search title company deed lien search property tax property tax records council rates stamp duty transfer tax closing costs calculator mortgage calculator mortgage rates home loan rates refinance refinancing loan comparison first home buyer grant rent to own lease to own owner finance seller finance real estate software crm for real estate real estate crm kvcore follow up boss real estate meme million dollar listing property show
Real estate total: 88 keywords
Keep In Mind
Terms like “fsbo,” “sell without agent,” and “discount broker” represent people actively trying to avoid your service. These aren’t just irrelevant — they’re anti-intent. Every click from these queries is money spent on someone who’s already decided they don’t want you.
5. Medical and Healthcare (Doctors, Clinics, Specialists) (86 keywords)
medical school nursing school medical degree nursing degree pre med mcat nclex usmle medical residency medical internship medical fellowship medical career doctor salary nurse salary surgeon salary how to become a doctor how to become a nurse medical terminology anatomy physiology pathology pharmacology medical journal pubmed clinical trial clinical study medical research peer reviewed medical textbook medical case study symptoms of signs of what causes is it normal to home remedy for natural cure natural treatment herbal remedy essential oil for supplement for vitamin for self diagnose self diagnosis webmd healthline mayo clinic nhs medscape medical forum medical reddit patient forum health anxiety cyberchondria medical malpractice medical negligence misdiagnosis wrong diagnosis hospital complaint doctor complaint medical board complaint medical error medical billing medical coding icd 10 cpt code medical biller medical coder health insurance health cover health plan medicare medicaid bulk billing private health insurance insurance claim pre authorisation prior authorisation out of pocket maximum deductible copay medical equipment medical supply medical device medical software emr ehr practice management software telemedicine platform medical app
Medical and healthcare total: 86 keywords
Insight
“Symptoms of” and “what causes” queries are research-stage searches that rarely convert to appointments. However, if you run content marketing alongside paid ads, consider targeting these organically instead — they build trust with patients who may book later.
6. Financial Services (Accountants, Financial Planners, Mortgage Brokers) (84 keywords)
accounting degree accounting course cpa exam cpa course bookkeeping course finance degree financial planning course cfp exam how to become an accountant how to become a financial planner accounting jobs finance jobs bookkeeper jobs accounting salary financial planner salary accounting software xero myob quickbooks freshbooks wave accounting free accounting software tax software turbotax hr block software free tax filing do my own taxes self assessment tax return template tax calculator tax bracket tax rate tax table tax refund estimator tax refund status tax refund delay irs ato hmrc cra tax office tax law tax legislation tax code tax regulation tax policy tax reform tax news tax blog tax forum tax reddit accounting standards gaap ifrs audit auditing auditor internal audit forensic accounting accounting ethics sec filing annual report financial statement analysis stock stocks stock market share market trading day trading forex cryptocurrency crypto bitcoin ethereum nft investment app robo advisor index fund etf mutual fund compound interest calculator retirement calculator superannuation calculator pension calculator mortgage calculator loan calculator amortisation calculator
Financial services total: 84 keywords
Pro Tip
Calculator queries (“mortgage calculator,” “tax calculator”) have massive search volume but near-zero conversion intent for service providers. These searchers want a free tool, not a consultation. Negate them in your paid campaigns and consider building a free calculator on your site to capture this traffic organically instead.
7. E-commerce and Retail (78 keywords)
amazon ebay etsy alibaba aliexpress wish temu shein walmart target kmart big w asos wholesale wholesale supplier dropshipping dropship drop ship print on demand white label private label manufacturer factory direct bulk buy bulk order liquidation overstock pallet used secondhand second hand pre owned refurbished thrift thrift store op shop charity shop garage sale yard sale car boot sale marketplace facebook marketplace gumtree craigslist classified free shipping code coupon coupon code promo code discount code voucher code cashback cash back price match price comparison compare prices shopbot price tracker price history price drop price alert review reviews unboxing haul is it worth it alternative to dupe knockoff fake counterfeit replica imitation recall safety warning class action return policy refund policy complaint
E-commerce total: 78 keywords
Keep In Mind
Be careful with “review” and “reviews” as negatives. For some e-commerce brands, “[brand name] review” queries convert at high rates because the searcher is in the final decision stage. Consider using negative phrase match for “product review site” or “review blog” instead of a blanket broad match negative on “review.”
8. SaaS and B2B Technology (76 keywords)
open source free software free tool free alternative free version freemium cracked pirated nulled github source code api documentation developer docs sdk code example code snippet stack overflow programming tutorial coding tutorial how to code software engineer salary developer salary software engineer jobs developer jobs tech career computer science degree bootcamp coding bootcamp software development course product manager salary product manager course saas metrics saas benchmark arr mrr churn rate definition cac definition ltv definition saas valuation saas funding series a venture capital startup funding angel investor pitch deck pitch deck template business plan template lean canvas competitor analysis gartner forrester g2 capterra trustpilot software review software comparison vs versus alternative alternatives to top 10 best free cheapest enterprise enterprise pricing custom pricing request demo demo video product tour product roadmap feature request bug report integration plugin extension addon connector api webhook
SaaS and B2B technology total: 76 keywords
Important note: If you sell SaaS, review this list carefully. Terms like ‘demo,’ ‘integration,’ ‘api,’ or ‘pricing’ might be relevant to your product. Remove any that align with your actual buyer’s search behaviour.
Quick Win
Add “cracked,” “pirated,” and “nulled” immediately — no exceptions. These searchers are actively trying to steal software. There is zero scenario where these clicks convert into paying customers.
9. Education and Training Providers (72 keywords)
free course free class free training free certification free online mooc coursera udemy skillshare khan academy edx linkedin learning youtube tutorial youtube course free tutorial free lesson free webinar scholarship financial aid student loan student debt tuition fee tuition cost how much does it cost affordable cheapest course cheapest certification accreditation accredited recognised qualification credit transfer rpl recognition of prior learning academic transcript transcript request graduation alumni student portal student login lms learning management system moodle canvas lms blackboard google classroom course creator course platform teachable thinkific kajabi podia how to create a course how to sell a course instructor salary teacher salary trainer salary tutor salary teaching jobs trainer jobs education degree teaching degree pedagogy andragogy instructional design curriculum development lesson plan lesson plan template assessment rubric grading rubric exam preparation practice exam past papers sample questions
Education total: 72 keywords
Insight
Platform names like “Coursera,” “Udemy,” and “Skillshare” are critical negatives for paid training providers. Searchers including these terms are looking for low-cost or free alternatives on those specific platforms — not your premium offering.
10. Fitness and Wellness (74 keywords)
free workout free program free plan free meal plan youtube workout youtube yoga youtube pilates home workout home exercise bodyweight workout no equipment no gym diy gym garage gym gym equipment gym equipment for sale treadmill elliptical exercise bike rowing machine equipment review fitness tracker smartwatch fitbit apple watch garmin myfitnesspal calorie counter macro calculator bmi calculator body fat calculator fitness app workout app yoga app meditation app peloton beachbody p90x insanity workout crossfit crossfit games bodybuilding bodybuilding competition powerlifting strongman marathon training triathlon training ultramarathon fitness model fitness influencer fitness youtube fitness podcast fitness blog fitness forum fitness reddit personal trainer certification pt certification ace certification nasm certification how to become a personal trainer personal trainer salary personal trainer jobs fitness instructor course yoga teacher training pilates instructor course group fitness certification exercise science degree kinesiology sports science physical therapy physiotherapy rehabilitation injury recovery
Fitness and wellness total: 74 keywords
Pro Tip
If you run a gym or fitness studio, “home workout” and “no gym” queries are your direct competitors — but they’re not paying customers. These searchers have already decided against a gym membership. Save your budget for people searching with local intent.
11. Hospitality and Food Service (Restaurants, Cafes, Catering) (61 keywords)
recipe recipes how to make how to cook how to bake homemade copycat recipe restaurant recipe cooking tutorial cooking class online cooking video food blog food blogger food vlog food network masterchef gordon ramsay jamie oliver food photography food styling restaurant design restaurant layout restaurant floor plan kitchen design commercial kitchen equipment restaurant equipment restaurant supply restaurant pos restaurant software restaurant management software toast pos square pos clover pos restaurant franchise franchise cost franchise opportunity how to open a restaurant how to start a cafe restaurant business plan food truck food truck for sale ghost kitchen cloud kitchen restaurant jobs chef jobs waiter jobs bartender jobs hospitality career hospitality degree culinary school culinary arts chef training food handler certificate food safety course food hygiene health inspection health code violation restaurant review restaurant complaint food poisoning yelp tripadvisor
Hospitality total: 61 keywords
By the Numbers
Recipe-related queries outnumber restaurant booking queries by roughly 50 to 1 in Google’s search volume data. Without “recipe” and “how to cook” as negatives, a restaurant’s ad budget can be consumed almost entirely by home cooks who will never walk through the door.
12. Automotive (Dealers, Mechanics, Detailers) (58 keywords)
how to fix how to repair how to replace how to change diy car repair diy mechanic car repair manual repair manual haynes manual service manual obd code fault code error code diagnostic tool car parts auto parts spare parts junkyard wreckers salvage used parts aftermarket parts ebay motors rockauto car for sale used car for sale buy used car sell my car trade in value car value kelley blue book kbb redbook car price car review car comparison top 10 cars best cars car of the year car news car magazine car blog car forum car reddit car youtube car video car game car racing car wallpaper car drawing car toy hot wheels mechanic salary mechanic apprenticeship mechanic school automotive course automotive degree auto body school
Automotive total: 58 keywords
Quick Win
If you’re a mechanic or detailer, add “car for sale,” “buy used car,” and “sell my car” right away. These are high-volume queries that look automotive-related but have completely different intent from someone needing a service or repair.
Running Total
Let’s confirm the count:
| List | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Universal | 152 |
| Legal Services | 94 |
| Home Services | 92 |
| Dental and Orthodontic | 82 |
| Real Estate | 88 |
| Medical and Healthcare | 86 |
| Financial Services | 84 |
| E-commerce and Retail | 78 |
| SaaS and B2B Technology | 76 |
| Education and Training | 72 |
| Fitness and Wellness | 74 |
| Hospitality and Food Service | 61 |
| Automotive | 58 |
| Total | 997 |
How to Build on These Lists Over Time
Importing these lists is step one. The real value compounds when you treat negative keyword management as an ongoing discipline.
Mine Your Search Terms Report Weekly
Your Search Terms report (found under Insights & Reports > Search Terms in Google Ads) shows the actual queries triggering your ads.
Sort by cost or impressions and scan for irrelevant terms. Add new negatives directly from this report.
In the first 30 days of a new campaign, we check this daily.
Use Tiered Negative Keyword Lists
We structure negative keyword lists in three tiers:
Tier 1: Account-level universals. The universal list above. Applied to every campaign in the account via a shared list.
Tier 2: Industry-specific. The relevant industry list from above. Applied to all campaigns via a shared list.
Tier 3: Campaign-specific. Negatives that only apply to certain campaigns. For example, a dentist running separate campaigns for ‘implants’ and ‘orthodontics’ might negate ‘braces’ in the implants campaign and ‘implant’ in the orthodontics campaign to prevent overlap.
This tiered approach keeps your lists organised and prevents the common problem of one massive, unmanageable list where you can’t remember why a keyword was added.
Pro Tip
Add a note or label to each negative keyword list with the date it was created and the reason. Six months from now, you (or a new team member) will thank yourself when trying to understand why “training” is negated in one campaign but not another.
Watch for False Negatives
A ‘false negative’ is when you accidentally block a keyword that real prospects actually search. Common culprits:
- Negating ‘free’ when you offer free consultations or free quotes.
- Negating ‘used’ when you sell certified pre-owned vehicles.
- Negating ‘cheap’ when your audience genuinely searches ‘cheap flights’ or ‘cheap insurance’ with purchase intent.
- Negating ‘review’ when prospects search ‘your brand review’ before converting.
If you notice a sudden drop in impressions or conversions after adding negatives, check your negative keyword lists first.
It’s one of the most common causes of unexplained performance drops.
Use Negative Keyword Conflicts Tool
Google Ads flags conflicts when a negative keyword blocks a positive keyword in the same ad group or campaign.
Check for these regularly under Recommendations or by running the keyword diagnostics. A conflict means your ad literally cannot show for a keyword you’re bidding on.
Consider Match Type Carefully for Ambiguous Terms
Some words are negative in one context and positive in another.
The word ‘training’ is a negative for a dog groomer but a positive for a dog trainer. For ambiguous terms, use negative phrase match or negative exact match instead of broad match to limit the blocking scope.
For example, a personal injury law firm might add “how to file” as a negative phrase match (blocking DIY filers) but would not add file as a negative broad match (which would block ‘file a claim with [firm name]’).
Keep In Mind
A single overly broad negative keyword can silently suppress thousands of impressions per month. If you’re ever unsure about a term, start with negative exact match or phrase match — you can always broaden it later, but you can’t recover lost impressions from an overzealous broad match negative.
Common Mistakes That Waste the Effort
Adding Negatives and Never Reviewing Them
Markets change. Your offerings change.
A keyword you negated six months ago might now be relevant. Audit your negative keyword lists quarterly. Remove anything that no longer applies.
Duplicating Negatives Across Levels
If a keyword is in a shared list applied to all campaigns, don’t also add it at the campaign level.
It creates clutter and makes troubleshooting harder. Pick one level and stick to it.
Negating Single Letters or Ultra-Short Words
Adding single-character negatives or very common two-letter words can have unpredictable effects.
Be specific. Instead of negating ‘a’, negate the full phrase you want to block.
Ignoring Display and Performance Max
Negative keywords work differently (or not at all) across campaign types.
In Search campaigns, they work precisely.
In Performance Max campaigns, account-level negative keywords can be added through your Google Ads representative or via brand exclusion lists, but the control is more limited.
In Display campaigns, negatives function as topic or context signals rather than exact query blocks. Adjust your expectations by campaign type.
Insight
Performance Max campaigns now allow account-level negatives without contacting a Google rep — but only through the account-level settings, not at the campaign level. Check your Google Ads interface under Account Settings > Negative Keywords for the latest options, as Google updates this functionality frequently.
Your Next Steps
- Copy the universal list and create a shared negative keyword list in your Google Ads account. Apply it to all Search campaigns.
- Copy the industry list most relevant to your business. Review it for conflicts with your actual offerings, remove any that don’t apply, and create a second shared list.
- Check your Search Terms report right now. Sort by cost descending. You’ll almost certainly find irrelevant queries you’re paying for today.
- Set a calendar reminder to review search terms weekly for the next month, then fortnightly after that.
- Build your Tier 3 list over time with campaign-specific negatives unique to your account.
Negative keyword management isn’t glamorous. It won’t make a case study or a conference talk.
But across every account we manage, it’s one of the highest-ROI activities you can perform in Google Ads.
These 997 keywords are your starting point. Your Search Terms report will write the rest.
If you want to see how a structured approach to Google Ads management drives real results, take a look at how we increased funded loans by 527% in 3 months using granular campaign optimisation — or how we achieved a 20:1 ROAS on Google Ads for a construction client through precise targeting and ongoing refinement.
Ready to Stop Bleeding Budget on Irrelevant Clicks?
Negative keyword lists are just one piece of the puzzle. Our digital ads team builds and optimises Google Ads campaigns daily — from keyword strategy and ad copy to bid management and conversion tracking.
On a free intro call, we’ll look at your current campaign structure, identify where budget is leaking, and map out a plan to get more conversions from every dollar you spend.
No hard sell, no lock-in contracts — just a straight conversation about what’s working and what isn’t.
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