In Google Ads, negative keywords help prevent your ads from showing on irrelevant searches, saving budget and boosting performance. Whether you’re DIY or working with a PPC (Pay-per-click) service Gold Coast like BRANDCOM, they’re essential for smarter targeting.
What are negative keywords and why do they matter?
Before diving into how to edit, remove, or download negative keywords, let’s quickly recap what they are. A negative keyword tells Google Ads not to show your ad for specific search terms. For example, if you’re advertising premium photography services, you might want to exclude terms like “free,” “cheap,” or “DIY.”
Adding negative keywords can prevent your ads from appearing to the wrong audience and help you stay focused on high-intent users. If you haven’t yet added them to your campaigns, we recommend reviewing our previous BRANDCOM Google Ads Guide on how to add negative keywords step by step.
How to edit negative keywords in Google Ads
Once your campaigns are running, there may come a time when you need to adjust your negative keywords list. This might be due to changes in your offer, updated audience targeting, or performance insights.
Step 1: Log in to your Google Ads account.
Step 2: Navigate to the campaign or ad group where the negative keywords are applied.
Step 3: Click on the “Keywords” tab, then select “Negative Keywords.”
Step 4: From here, you can review your existing list. Click on any keyword to edit it, or update match types as needed.
Remember, careful editing ensures you’re not accidentally blocking traffic that may still be valuable. Many businesses in the PPC service Gold Coast space regularly audit their lists for accuracy.
How to remove negative keywords
Sometimes, a negative keyword that made sense earlier might no longer apply. Maybe you’re expanding your services, or maybe it’s simply no longer relevant.
Step 1: Go to the same “Negative Keywords” section.
Step 2: Select the checkbox next to the keyword(s) you want to remove.
Step 3: Click the “Remove” button.
Pro tip: Before removing, double-check performance metrics. BRANDCOM recommends using insights to guide decisions, not just gut feeling.
How to download negative keywords for review or backup
Keeping a backup or sharing your keyword list with team members is a smart move. Google Ads allows you to download your entire negative keywords list in a few simple clicks:
Step 1: In the “Negative Keywords” tab, click the download icon (usually at the top right).
Step 2: Choose your preferred file format (CSV, Excel, etc.).
Step 3: Save it for future analysis or reporting.
This step is especially useful when working with external agencies or when auditing your PPC campaigns with the help of a digital marketing team.
Managing negative keywords might seem like a technical detail, but in practice, it plays a huge role in the success of your Google Ads campaigns. Regularly reviewing, editing, removing, and downloading your negative keywords gives you more control, better ad targeting, and more efficient spending.
If you’re a business owner on the Gold Coast looking to improve your PPC strategy, BRANDCOM is here to help. As a trusted PPC service Gold Coast agency, we specialise in optimising Google Ads for real, measurable results.
Looking to get more from your Google Ads budget? Let BRANDCOM help you turn clicks into conversions with precision targeting and expert negative keyword strategies.
