HireVA0%

Google Ads negative keywords: stop wasting your budget

Negative keywords block searches that will never become customers.

Google Ads Management · 2 min read · Updated 2026-10-29
Google Ads negative keywords: stop wasting your budget

Key takeaways

  • Why they matter
  • Where to find them
  • Build a starter list

Why they matter

Without them your ads can show for jobs, free items or unrelated services, wasting spend.

Where to find them

Review the search terms report weekly and add irrelevant queries as negatives.

Build a starter list

Common negatives include free, jobs, careers, DIY and training, adjusted to your business.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I spend on Google Ads?

It depends on your market and goals. We recommend a test budget, then scale what produces leads at an acceptable cost.

How soon will I see results?

Ads can bring traffic within days. Reliable lead data usually takes a few weeks of testing and optimisation.

Need help with this? Explore our Google Ads Management, see our packages or book a free 30-minute call.

Related articles