ad-negative-keywordslisted
Install: claude install-skill mbfinotti/advertising-skills
# Negative Keywords
Build and maintain a negative keyword list from search term reports, so paid-search budget stops leaking to irrelevant queries - without blocking the queries that convert.
The mechanics - match types, exclusion levels, thresholds, cadence - are identical for B2B lead gen and B2C/e-commerce. Two things differ by segment:
- Which junk categories dominate (see taxonomy).
- The decision data: B2B's sparse conversions force click/cost gates, B2C volume allows conversion-based gates.
## Evidence gate
- Never propose specific negative keywords for a live account without its search term report (also called search query report).
- Missing report → request an export, explain the overblocking review below, and name zero candidate negatives in the meantime.
- Exception: a brand-new campaign with no history may get a starter exclusion list - label it "pre-launch starter, review against real queries after 7-14 days".
A list invented from imagination has no evidence of what actually matches, and its cost, blocked converting queries, stays invisible.
## Clarifying questions
Ask once, briefly, before analyzing. Skip anything already answered. This is a tactical pass, not an interview.
1. What counts as a conversion, and what is the target CPA or ROAS?
2. What date range does the report cover, and roughly what did the account spend over it?
3. What CPC range does the account run? (Sets the click threshold.)
4. Which queries or themes must never be blocked - brand t