Skip to main content

How To Use Phrase Match Type Keywords In Google Ads

Phrase match is vital to you and your PPC campaign, as you can reach more searches than an exact match and fewer searches than with a broad match. Here’s how it works.

If I use a phrase that matches a keyword phrase that consists of three words, e.g. buys a red umbrella, how can I ensure that Google will not show searches that are missing words e.g. buy an umbrella, red umbrella, maybe? I think there was a typo. Yeah, let's do that. Buy a red umbrella, buy an umbrella, a red umbrella. That is what is happening in my campaign right now. Okay. I don't want to use an exact match because buying a red umbrella would eliminate all the long tail words, which is correct. Move this towards the left of it.

Okay, I don't want to use an exact match. Yeah, it will also cut down on the traffic as well. Would eliminate all the long tails like buy a red umbrella now or buy a red umbrella in Toronto. Fine. I know I can use negative words with exact match corrections to eliminate those combinations. But I wanted to know if there are any more sophisticated ways to control it. Okay, so right now you got three match types broad, phrase, and exact. The BMM, you can't use it anymore. The exact match is not exact anymore. Right? So Google is going to show you closed variants to that exact match. Phrase match is not a phrase anymore. It's going to show you closed variants. And I've seen in the search term reports that Phrase match has triggered a closed variant.

So we are having less and less control over how to trigger our ads on which terms. The only way to combat this is by using negative keywords very aggressively. So you can use negative keywords at three levels, group level, campaign level, and account level negatives. In this case, I would use it at the ad group level. And then if you don't want your ads to be triggered by something like buying a red umbrella in Toronto, then you will put that as a negative. But I wouldn't do that because then you are reducing the impressions and the search impression share. As long as these three words are on that phrase, then you want to show that in any combination of that search term.

And if these three words are not in that search term, then you start putting them as negatives. So that is the best way to negate this problem. The other thing which you also want to test is the algorithm keeps changing. You must try a broad match as well. And you will be pleasantly surprised as to how much more traffic you can get to your website at a lower cost because broad match keywords are the cheapest clicks. They may not be the most searched terms with the intent in them, but if you are putting up negative keywords regularly, then you are going to improve and optimize your campaigns as you go along. So that's how I would use it. So, yes, you keep using negative keywords aggressively.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Fastest Way To Scale Your Google Ads Campaigns (Without Losing Money)

Google Ads can feel like a high-stakes casino. You’re trying to win big, but one wrong move and your budget vanishes faster than a free pizza at a tech conference. The dream is to scale your campaigns, reach more people, and see those conversions roll in. But the nightmare? Spending more and getting less. So, how do you put your  Google Ads campaigns  into hyper-growth mode without burning a hole in your wallet? It’s not about magic tricks or secret algorithms. It’s about smart, calculated steps that build on what’s already working. Stop Chasing Shiny Objects – Look at Your Data Before you even think about adding new keywords or expanding to  new audiences , take a deep breath and look at what you already have. Your existing campaigns are a goldmine of information, if only you bother to dig. Which keywords are bringing in conversions?  I’m not talking about clicks here. I’m talking about actual sales, leads, sign-ups – whatever your goal is. If a ke...

What Is A Key Benefit Of Smart Display Campaigns?

You’ve probably heard about  Smart Display campaigns  if you’re running online ads. They are one of the easiest ways to get your ads in front of the right audience without spending hours tweaking settings. Simplicity At Its Best One of the biggest benefits of Smart Display campaigns is how simple they are to set up. Unlike traditional display campaigns, where you have to choose targeting, bids, and ad placements manually, Smart Display campaigns do all the hard work for you. Automation That Works For You Google’s machine learning takes over and ensures your ads are shown to the right people at the right time. It automatically adjusts bids, selects the best placements, and optimises your campaign for better performance. This means you can focus on your overall marketing strategy while the system fine-tunes your ads in the background. No Technical Expertise Needed Not everyone is an expert in digital advertising, and that’s okay! With Smart Display campaigns...

Google Ads Hacks: What The Pros Don’t Want You To Know

Ever felt like Google Ads is a hack club with a bouncer named “Algorithm” and you’re stuck outside, peering through the velvet rope? You’re not alone. Many businesses, big and small, grapple with the complexities of Google Ads, often feeling like they’re pouring money into a black hole. The “pros” – those agencies and consultants who manage huge budgets – often talk a good game, but some of their “hacks” aren’t hacks at all, just common-sense practices they’ve refined. But what if I told you there are some things the pros might not explicitly tell you, not because they’re malicious, but because it challenges the mystique they’ve built around their expertise? These aren’t shady tricks, mind you, but rather fundamental insights that can shift your perspective and empower you to take back control of your ad spend. Let’s pull back the curtain a bit. Hack #1: Your “Quality Score” Isn’t Just About Your Keywords You’ve probably heard about  Quality Score . Google tell...