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Can I make negative phrase-matched and negative exact-matched keywords?

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Yes. In addition to the standard negative match option, you can create negative phrase-matched and negative broad-matched keywords. Details about each are below.

I. Negative Keywords

To create a standard negative keyword, insert a minus sign before a keyword and add it to your ad group or campaign:

-free trial

Adding this negative keyword to your account would prevent your ads from showing on any search queries containing the terms free and trial. It wouldn't prevent your ads from showing on variations of these terms, however. It also wouldn't prevent your ads from showing on search queries that only contain one of the terms.

For example, the search queries one-day trial and free test could trigger your ads, while free one-day trial could not.

II. Negative Phrase-Matched Keywords

You can create a negative phrase-matched keyword by surrounding the term with quotation marks:

-"free trial"

If you were to add this keyword to your account, the system wouldn't let any search query containing the phrase free trial trigger your ads. The search query free trial lesson would not trigger your ads, for instance. The rules of phrase match still apply, however, so your ads could possibly show on the search query trial or free one-day trial.

III. Negative Exact-Matched Keywords

A negative exact-matched keyword looks like this:

-[free trial]

This negative keyword would only prevent your ads from showing on the search query free trial. Search queries such as free trials, free, and one-day free trial could still trigger your ads.

It's a good idea to add relevant variations of your negative keywords, including both the singular and plural forms. Learn to add effective negative keywords to your ad group or campaign.


Watch the 'Negative Keywords' video to learn about choosing the right negative keywords and why they're important to your AdWords account.

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