As Manchester's Google Ads specialists, we've analyzed thousands of search terms reports to identify the biggest money-wasters. This guide reveals exactly which negative keywords Manchester businesses need—and how to implement them properly. 

🎯 What Are Negative Keywords? (And Why Manchester Businesses Need Them)

Negative keywords tell Google which searches should NOT trigger your ads. They're your shield against irrelevant, expensive clicks that drain your budget without bringing customers.

Manchester Example:

You're a Manchester plumber bidding on "emergency plumber." Without negative keywords, your ads might show for:

• "emergency plumber jobs Manchester" (job seekers, not customers)

• "emergency plumber course Manchester" (students, not customers)

• "free emergency plumber advice" (bargain hunters, not paying customers)

• "DIY emergency plumber tips" (people wanting to fix it themselves)

💷 How Much Money Are You Wasting? The Manchester Reality

📝 The Ultimate Manchester Negative Keywords Lists

Universal Negative Keywords (Every Manchester Business Needs These)

🔧 How to Add Negative Keywords: Step-by-Step Guide

Method 1: Campaign Level (Recommended for Most)

1. Log into Google Ads

2. Select your campaign

3. Click "Keywords" in the left menu

4. Click "Negative Keywords" tab

5. Click the blue "+" button

6. Select "Add negative keywords"

7. Paste your negative keyword list

8. Choose match type (broad match recommended for most)

9. Click "Save"

Method 2: Shared Negative Keyword Lists (For Multiple Campaigns)

1. Go to "Tools & Settings" → "Shared Library" → "Negative keyword lists"

2. Click "+" to create new list

3. Name it (e.g., "Universal Negatives" or "Legal Services Negatives")

4. Add your negative keywords

5. Apply the list to multiple campaigns

📊 Negative Keyword Match Types Explained

🕵️ Finding Your Money-Wasting Keywords: The Search Terms Audit

📈 Manchester Success Stories: Real Negative Keyword Results

⚠️ Common Negative Keyword Mistakes Manchester Businesses Make

1. Being Too Aggressive

2. Not Using Broad Match

Many businesses use exact match [jobs] instead of broad match jobs, missing variations like "plumber jobs Manchester" or "plumbing job opportunities."

3. Forgetting About Plurals and Variations

Add both singular and plural forms: job/jobs, course/courses, review/reviews.

4. Never Updating the List

Your negative keyword list should grow over time. Review search terms weekly and add new irrelevant queries.

5. Not Sharing Lists Across Campaigns

Create shared negative keyword lists to apply the same exclusions across multiple campaigns automatically.

🎯 Advanced Negative Keyword Strategies for Manchester Businesses

1. Seasonal Negative Keywords

Example: A Manchester heating engineer might add "air conditioning" and "cooling" as negatives in winter, then remove them in summer.

2. Competitor Exclusions

Block your main competitors' names to avoid paying for their branded traffic. But be careful—sometimes comparison searches convert well.

3. Time-Based Exclusions

If you don't offer 24/7 service, consider adding "emergency," "urgent," "24 hour" as negatives during your closed hours only.

4. Quality-Based Exclusions

If you're a premium service, consider blocking "cheap," "budget," "discount." If you're budget-friendly, embrace these terms.

📋 Your 30-Day Negative Keyword Action Plan

🔍 Negative Keywords Checklist: Are You Missing Money-Savers?

🚀 Ready to Stop Wasting Money on Irrelevant Clicks?

Related Reading:

• Manchester Google Ads CPC Guide 

• Why Your Google Ads Aren't Converting 

• Google Ads Bidding Strategies Guide 

• Google Ads Quality Score Simplified