Add negative keywords to a Google Ads campaign
Updated 2026-10-11
In CustomIQ the negative keywords of a Google Ads campaign come from its optimization: the analysis reviews the real search terms and proposes negatives, and you apply them with one click in Optimization proposals. The campaign detail in Campaigns lists the active negatives and what each applied change did.
Video tutorial
What is a negative keyword?
A term that stops your ad from showing when the search contains it ("free", "jobs", a city where you do not sell). It avoids paying for clicks that do not convert.
What do I do from the dashboard?
Open the campaign in Campaigns: its detail lists the active negative keywords and, under Optimization, what each applied batch did. New negatives come from the optimization analysis; Optimization proposals lists them and you apply or discard each one with one click.
How do I ask in the chat?
Type "Optimize my ad campaign on Google." in the IQ chat: the analysis reviews search terms and proposes specific negatives.
What does it cost?
Applying negatives consumes no credits; the optimization analysis does, with the amount visible before you confirm.
Where is it in the dashboard?
Steps
- Open the campaign. In Campaigns, open the active Google campaign and expand "Active negative keywords".
- Run the analysis. Press "Optimize campaign" in its detail or type "Optimize my ad campaign on Google." in the IQ chat.
- Apply the proposals. In Optimization proposals, apply or discard the negatives the agent suggests.
Frequently asked questions
- Does adding negatives reset the campaign's learning?
- No; adding negatives is safe and does not restart Google's learning phase.
- Does it cost credits?
- Applying proposed negatives is free; the optimization analysis consumes credits, shown before you confirm.
- How do I know which negatives to add?
- Review search terms with clicks but no results; the optimization analysis proposes them.
Related
- Optimize a Google Ads campaign with improvement proposalsHow to request in the chat an analysis of an active Google Ads campaign and apply CustomIQ's proposals (bids, negatives, ads).
- Review keywords and ads of a Google Ads campaignApprove keyword groups, review ads and see the cost of a Google campaign before its creatives are made.
- See the results of a Google Ads campaignWhere to see a Google Ads campaign's results: status and structure in Campaigns, clicks and cost in Google Ads, leads in Analytics.