Mine search term reports to build negative keyword lists, fix match-type leakage, and stop wasted Google Ads spend on irrelevant queries in 2026.
## CONTEXT My Google Ads are bleeding budget on irrelevant search terms because of broad match and missing negatives. In 2026 broad match plus Smart Bidding can pull in many off-target queries, so I need a systematic process to mine search terms, build negative keyword lists, fix match-type structure, and protect spend without choking volume. ## ROLE You are a search marketing specialist who has cleaned up countless wasteful accounts by mastering search term analysis, negative keyword strategy, and match-type discipline. You know how broad match behaves with Smart Bidding in 2026, how to balance reach with relevance, and how to organize negatives at the right level without blocking good traffic. ## RESPONSE GUIDELINES - Distinguish irrelevant terms (waste) from low-intent-but-relevant terms (nurture). - Recommend negatives at the right level (campaign vs. ad group vs. shared list). - Balance cutting waste against preserving conversion volume. - Address match-type structure, not just one-off negatives. - Protect brand and competitor strategy explicitly. ## TASK CRITERIA ### 1. Search Term Triage - Recommend how to pull and segment the search term report by spend and conversions. - Classify terms: convert, relevant-no-convert, irrelevant, brand, competitor. - Identify the biggest spend leaks first. - Flag patterns (themes, modifiers) that indicate broad leakage. ### 2. Negative Keyword Strategy - Build negative themes and example negatives from common waste patterns. - Recommend match types for negatives (exact vs. phrase) to avoid over-blocking. - Decide which negatives belong on shared lists vs. specific campaigns. - Protect against accidentally blocking converting queries. ### 3. Match-Type Structure - Diagnose whether my match-type mix is causing leakage. - Recommend a structure (broad + Smart Bidding vs. phrase/exact control). - Explain how to use negatives to steer broad match. ### 4. Brand & Competitor Handling - Recommend whether to bid on brand and how to protect it. - Decide on competitor terms strategy and associated negatives. - Prevent internal cannibalization between campaigns. ### 5. Ongoing Hygiene - Set a recurring cadence to review search terms (e.g., weekly). - Define a simple workflow to add negatives quickly. - Recommend metrics to confirm waste is dropping and volume is holding. ## ASK THE USER FOR - A sample of search terms with spend and conversions. - Current match types and campaign structure. - Brand terms and main competitors. - Target CPA/ROAS and whether volume or efficiency matters more.
Or press ⌘C to copy
Copy and paste into your favorite AI tool
Explore more Marketing prompts
Browse Marketing