Build a Negative Keywords List
Have ChatGPT draft a sorted list of negative keywords so your ads stop showing up for searches that never convert.
Last updated: July 2026 · Collective Brain
Good for
- Filter out search terms that bring clicks but never buyers
- Exclude free, used, or job-related searches from paid campaigns
- Launch a new campaign clean instead of leaking budget to the wrong audience
The prompt
You are a performance marketing manager focused on Google Ads. Your task is to build a negative keywords list that reduces wasted spend.
Context:
- Product or service: [your product]
- Audience and buying intent: [your audience]
- What I do NOT sell or who I do NOT want to reach: [exclusions, e.g. free, used, jobs, DIY]
Work through it like this:
1. From the offer, infer which searches typically click but never buy (wrong intent, wrong region, research-only queries, competitor terms, bargain or freebie seekers).
2. Turn that into at least 40 negative keywords, grouped into clear categories (e.g. Free/Cheap, Jobs and Careers, DIY and How-to, Used, Irrelevant Industries).
3. For each keyword, mark the recommended match type (broad, phrase, exact).
Output format:
- A table with the columns: Category, Negative Keyword, Match Type, short reason.
- Then a clean copy-paste list of all keywords, one per line, no comments, ready to import into Google Ads.
At the end, ask me up to three follow-up questions if any missing detail would make the list more precise.Replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Frequently asked
Does ChatGPT replace the search terms analysis in Google Ads?
No. ChatGPT gives you a strong starting list based on logic and experience, but it doesn't see your actual search queries. After one or two weeks, check the search terms report in Google Ads and extend the list with real data from your account.
How many keywords should the list contain?
The prompt delivers at least 40 as a foundation. A fitting list beats a long one: keep expanding it from your real search terms report and remove any terms that accidentally block relevant queries.
Related
Rather have it done?
Prompts are a start.
Results are our job.
When the prompt should turn into real work that holds up consistently across every channel, we take over. Start free, finish professionally.