What Is Exact Match Keywords? Everything You Need to Know for Your Next Ads Campaign

exact match keywords
Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

Have you ever wondered how to make your online ads stand out and reach the right audience? Well, one key strategy that can help you do just that is using exact match keywords. If you’re going into online advertising and want to boost your campaigns’ performance, understanding exact match keywords is essential. In this article, I’ll discuss everything you need to know about exact match keywords and examples, including how to run Google ads. These will help you in your next ad campaign. So, continue reading as I open your eyes to the world of exact match keywords!

Key Points

  • Exact match keywords are specific keywords that need to be matched precisely by search engines for your ad to be triggered.
  • Using exact match keywords can help improve the relevancy of your ads and increase the chances of reaching your target audience.
  • These keywords are enclosed in brackets to indicate that only users searching for that exact phrase will see your ads.
  • Reviewing and updating the keywords ensures the words are still relevant and effective for your ads campaign.
  • While exact match keywords can be highly targeted, it is also advisable to use different keyword match types to maximize the reach and performance of your ads.

What Is Exact Match Keywords? 

Exact match keywords are specific words or phrases used in online advertising and search engine optimization (SEO) to target a very precise audience. When you use an exact match keyword, you are telling search engines like Google to only show your ad or website to people who search for that exact term or a very close variation of it.

For example, let’s say I have a business selling organic skincare products. If I use the exact match keyword “organic skincare products,” my ad will only be shown to people who type in that exact phrase or something similar, like “natural skincare products” or “organic skin care items.” This helps ensure that my ad reaches the most relevant audience who are truly keen in what I have to offer.

Using exact match keywords can be effective in driving traffic to your website or online store. This is because you are targeting people who are already looking for exactly what you are offering. Also, it can help you save money on advertising by making people more likely to convert into customers by seeing your ads.

You can use other types of keywords like broad match and phrase match to capture a wider audience. Yeah! They will drive more traffic to your website. Finding the right balance between different match types can help you reach a larger audience while still pinpointing those most likely to purchase your products or services. So, keep reading to get more information on different keyword match types!

Exact Match Keywords Example 

Let me give you this exact match keyword example. Imagine you’re planning a vacation to Hawaii and you want to find the best deals on hotels. So, you go online and type in the exact phrase “affordable hotels in Hawaii” in the search bar. In this case, “affordable hotels in Hawaii” is an exact match keyword. This is because it matches the exact search query you’re looking for.

I mean, the keyword you are targeting precisely matches the search query a user types into a search engine. It helps your website appear in search results when someone searches for that exact keyword or a very close variation of it.

Using exact match keywords can be beneficial for your website because it helps you attract more relevant traffic. If someone is specifically looking for affordable hotels in Hawaii, and your website is optimized for that exact keyword, there’s a higher chance they will click on your website when it appears in the search results.

It’s important to note, however, that in using exact match keywords, you have to do it strategically and not overdo it. You should focus on creating high-quality content that naturally incorporates these keywords. This will help to provide value to your audience while also improving your website’s search engine visibility.

So, next time you are working on your website’s SEO strategy, remember to consider using exact match keywords. I mean words relevant to your content and audience to drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Just remember not to overdo it with the keywords. You can use them naturally within your content to provide value to your readers, rather than just for the sake of ranking higher in search results. Also, balancing relevancy and readability is key to making the most of exact match keywords in your online content.

Exact Match Keywords Google Ads

Running ads on Google using exact match keywords can be a powerful strategy. It helps target specific audiences and improve the effectiveness of your campaigns. When you use exact match keywords in Google Ads, your ads will only be triggered when users search for the exact keyword or close variations of it. This helps ensure that people who are specifically searching for what you offer see your ads. Then, this leads to higher click-through rates and more relevant traffic to your website.

To set up ads with exact match keywords on Google Ads, first, create a new campaign or ad group. Within the campaign or ad group, you can add the keywords by enclosing them in brackets. This tells Google to only show your ads when someone searches for that specific keyword or a close variant.

It’s important to monitor the performance of your ads regularly and adjust your keyword strategy as needed. Make sure to review the search terms report in Google Ads to see what actual search queries are triggering your ads. This will help you identify new exact match keywords to add or irrelevant terms to add as negative keywords.

When running ads on Google, it’s also crucial to consider other factors. This includes ad copy, landing page experience, and bidding strategy to maximize your results. Experiment with different ad variations, test different landing pages and optimize your bids to improve the overall performance of your campaigns.

Read LANDING PAGE OPTIMIZATION: Top Tools, SEO, Examples & Checklist

What Are The 3 Types Of Keyword Matching? 

Keyword matching is a crucial aspect of any digital marketing campaign. It helps determine when your ads will be displayed to users on search engines. There are three main types of keyword matching: exact match, phrase match, and broad match.

#1. Exact match

Let me start with the exact match. As the name suggests, exact match allows your ad to show up only when the search query precisely matches your keyword. For example, if your exact match keyword is “red shoes,” your ad will only appear when someone types in “red shoes” without any additional words. Therefore, this type is very targeted and can help you reach users specifically looking for what you offer.

#2. Phrase Match

Next is phrase match. With phrase match, your ad will show up when the search query includes your keyword in the exact order you’ve specified, but it can also include additional words before or after the keyword. For instance, if your phrase match keyword is “buy red shoes,” your ad might be triggered by searches like “where to buy red shoes” or “red shoes for sale.” Also, this type of matching offers a balance between targeting and reach.

#3. Broad Match

Last but not least is the broad match. Broad match is the most flexible option. It allows your ad to show up for any search query that Google deems relevant to your keyword, even if the terms are not in the exact order. 

Hence, this can lead to a wider reach, but it also comes with the risk of your ad showing up for irrelevant searches. For example, if your broad match keyword is “red shoes,” your ad could be displayed for searches like “blue shoes” or “shoes for hiking.”

From my experience, I must tell you that finding the right balance between these keyword matching types is key. Broad matches can help you discover new keyword opportunities and reach a broader audience. On the other hand, phrase matches and exact matches can help you target specific keywords and improve your ads relevancy.

Notwithstanding, I advise you to always review your keyword matching strategy. After that, make adjustments based on the performance data you gather. Lastly, experiment with different match types and see what works best for your goals and budget. 

Read Phrase Match vs Broad Match: Understanding the Key Differences and How to Use Them

Should I Use Exact Match Keywords? 

As an expert, I can confidently say that the use of exact match keywords has evolved over the years. In the past, exact match keywords were considered essential for SEO. This is because they helped search engines understand the relevance of the content to the user’s query. However, with the evolution of search engine algorithms, the importance of exact match keywords has diminished somewhat.

While exact match keywords can still be relevant in certain cases, first, understand the current trends. Yeah! Search engines now place more emphasis on context and user intent than exact keyword matches. This means that using many related keywords and creating high-quality, relevant content is now more important than simply focusing on exact match keywords.

In fact, keyword stuffing, which is the practice of overloading content with exact match keywords, can now actually harm your SEO efforts as search engines penalize this practice.

So, I advise you to use the exact and related keywords in your content. Focus on creating valuable and informative content that addresses the needs and questions of your target audience, rather than solely focusing on exact match keywords.

Moreover, if you diversify your keyword strategy and provide high-quality content, you can improve your chances of ranking well in search engine results pages and attract organic traffic to your website. Remember, the key to successful SEO is to prioritize user experience and relevance over keyword optimization. 

Using Exact Match Keywords for Better Search Engine Visibility

How Do I Choose A Keyword Match?

When choosing a keyword match for your content or website, make sure you’re reaching the right audience effectively. First off, think about the intent behind your content and what your target audience may be searching for. Are they looking for general information, a specific product, or a solution to their problem?

Next, consider the different types of keyword matches available. Broad matches will show your ads to a wider audience, while exact matches will be more targeted. Phrase match falls somewhere in between, capturing variations of your keyword within a phrase.

In addition, conduct keyword research to see what terms are popular in your industry and how competitive they are. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can help you find relevant keywords and estimate their search volume.

In essence, the key to choosing a keyword match is finding the right balance between reach and relevance for your specific goals. So, keep your target audience in mind and test different match types to see what works best for you.

Final Thoughts

Exact match keywords tend to spark some debate among SEO professionals. Some believe that using exact match keywords can boost rankings, while others argue that it may not be as effective due to Google’s evolving algorithms.

Well, I believe that while exact match keywords can still be valuable in some cases, it’s best to focus more on creating high-quality and relevant content that naturally incorporates numerous keywords. Besides, the key is to strike a balance and not solely rely on exact match keywords for SEO success. Nowadays, user intent and overall content quality play a significant role in ranking well on search engines.

How to Leverage on Influencer Outreach: Strategies for Brand Growth (+ Templates)

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers Free: No Ads, No Spending a Dime

The Ultimate Guide To Writing A Winning Content Brief

References

WordStream

KlientBoost

0 Shares:
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like