Google Ads
Create Negative Keyword List
Create a new negative keyword list in Google Ads
The Create Negative Keyword List node lets you create a new negative keyword list in Google Ads and populate it with keywords. This helps organize negative keywords that can be shared across multiple campaigns for efficient account management.
When to Use It
- Create branded negative keyword lists to prevent appearing on competitor searches
- Build category-specific negative keyword lists (e.g., “free”, “cheap”, “DIY” for premium products)
- Organize negative keywords by theme for easier campaign management
- Create negative keyword lists based on search query analysis and irrelevant traffic
Inputs
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account | Single-select | Yes | Select one Google Ads account |
| List Name | Dynamic-text | Yes | Enter a name for the negative keyword list |
| Keywords | Dynamic-text-area | Yes | Enter keywords to add to the negative list |
List Name
Enter a descriptive name for your negative keyword list. Use clear naming conventions like:- “Brand Protection Keywords”
- “Competitor Terms”
- “Irrelevant Search Terms”
- “Free/Cheap Keywords”
Keywords
Enter keywords to exclude from triggering your ads. You can format them in several ways: Format options:- One keyword per line: Each line becomes a separate negative keyword
- Comma-separated: Keywords separated by commas
- Match type formatting: Use symbols to specify match types
[keyword]for exact match"keyword"for phrase matchkeywordfor broad match (default)
Output
Returns details about the created negative keyword list:| Output | Description |
|---|---|
| All Output | Complete response data |
| List ID | Unique identifier for the created list |
| List Name | Name of the created list |
| List Resource Name | Google Ads resource name for the list |
| Keywords Added Count | Number of keywords successfully added |
Credit Cost
- Cost per run: 2 credits
FAQs
What's the difference between match types for negative keywords?
What's the difference between match types for negative keywords?
Negative keyword match types work differently than regular keywords:
- Broad match (default): Excludes searches that include all negative keyword terms in any order
- Phrase match: Excludes searches that include the exact phrase in the same order
- Exact match: Only excludes searches that match the exact keyword
- Broad: Blocks “shoes for running”, “best running shoes”
- Phrase: Blocks “red running shoes” but not “shoes for running”
- Exact: Only blocks “running shoes”
Can I add keywords to the list after creating it?
Can I add keywords to the list after creating it?
Yes! Use the Add Keywords to Negative List node to add more keywords to an existing negative keyword list at any time.
How do I apply this list to campaigns?
How do I apply this list to campaigns?
After creating the list, use the Apply Negative Keyword List to Campaigns node to attach it to specific campaigns. This allows you to reuse the same negative keyword list across multiple campaigns.
What's the advantage of using lists vs individual negative keywords?
What's the advantage of using lists vs individual negative keywords?
Negative keyword lists offer several benefits:
- Efficiency: Manage negative keywords in one place rather than in each campaign
- Consistency: Ensure the same negative keywords are applied across campaigns
- Scalability: Easily apply lists to new campaigns
- Organization: Group related negative keywords by theme or purpose
How many keywords can I add to a list?
How many keywords can I add to a list?
Google Ads allows up to 5,000 negative keywords per list. You can create multiple lists if you need more negative keywords.
Can I use this with brand protection strategies?
Can I use this with brand protection strategies?
Absolutely! Create lists with competitor brand names, misspellings, and related terms to prevent your ads from showing on competitor searches. This is one of the most common use cases for negative keyword lists.
What happens if I enter duplicate keywords?
What happens if I enter duplicate keywords?
Google Ads will automatically deduplicate keywords within the same list and match type. The node will report the actual number of unique keywords added.
Should I use specific or broad negative keywords?
Should I use specific or broad negative keywords?
Start with specific negative keywords based on actual search query data, then expand to broader terms as needed. Monitor your search terms report to identify new irrelevant queries to add to your lists.