Keyword research is the foundation of every successful Google Ads campaign. The right keywords connect your ads with customers actively searching for what you offer. This guide covers everything you need to know to find profitable keywords in 2026.
Why Keyword Research Makes or Breaks Your Campaign
Target the wrong keywords and you burn your budget on irrelevant clicks. Target the right ones and every dollar works harder. Studies show that 76% of Google Ads budget is wasted on poorly researched keywords.
Free Tool: Google Keyword Planner
The best starting point is Google's own Keyword Planner. It shows:
- Monthly search volume
- Competition level (Low / Medium / High)
- Suggested bid range (CPC estimate)
- Related keyword ideas
Understanding Keyword Match Types
Match types control which searches trigger your ads:
- Broad Match — widest reach, least control. Good for discovery.
- Phrase Match "keyword" — triggers for searches containing your phrase.
- Exact Match [keyword] — only triggers for that exact search. Best for control and efficiency.
For beginners, start with Exact Match and Phrase Match to control spending.
How to Find High-Intent Keywords
High-intent keywords signal purchase readiness. Look for:
- Keywords with "buy", "price", "near me", "best" — commercial intent
- Brand + product keywords (e.g., "Google Ads management tool")
- Problem-solving keywords (e.g., "how to fix Google Ads low impressions")
- Comparisons (e.g., "Google Ads vs Facebook Ads")
Negative Keywords: What to Exclude
Equally important as positive keywords. Common negatives to add from day one:
- "free", "cheap", "DIY" — if you are not targeting budget seekers
- Competitor brand names — unless running competitor campaigns
- Irrelevant industries or products
Keyword Research With AI
Furriyadh's AI automatically performs keyword research for your campaigns. Describe your business, and the AI identifies the best-performing keywords, sets appropriate match types, and continuously adds negative keywords to protect your budget. Start free today.
Keyword Research Checklist
✅ Use Google Keyword Planner to find seed keywords | ✅ Focus on exact and phrase match for beginners | ✅ Target high-intent commercial keywords | ✅ Add negative keywords from day one | ✅ Group keywords by theme into ad groups | ✅ Review search terms weekly
To learn how to apply these keywords in a full campaign, read: How to Create a Google Ads Campaign Step by Step
