🔍 How to See What People Actually Search for When Your Google Ad Appears
💡 What’s a Search Query Report?
When someone clicks your ad, Google keeps a record of the exact words they typed into the search bar.
A Search Query Report (SQR) shows you those real-life searches.
It’s basically your “behind-the-scenes” look at what customers are thinking.
You’ll see:
What people searched before clicking your ad
Which searches are bringing you sales or leads
Which ones are wasting your money
🧠Step 1: Find Your Search Terms Report
Log in to your Google Ads account.
Click on the campaign (or ad group) you want to check.
On the left side, click Keywords → Search terms (or Insights → Search terms in the new layout).
You’ll now see a list of search phrases that triggered your ad, plus numbers for clicks, cost, and results.
That’s your Search Query Report! 🎉
🔍 Step 2: Look for Good and Bad Matches
Go through the list and ask yourself:
âś… Good search terms:
These match what you actually sell. Example: “kids resale store near me.”
đźš« Bad search terms:
These don’t fit your business. Example: “kids clothing jobs” or “free baby clothes.”
The goal is to spend money only on the good ones.
đźš« Step 3: Block the Wrong Searches
If you see words or phrases that don’t make sense for your business:
Check the box next to them.
Click Add as Negative Keyword at the top.
This tells Google, “Don’t show my ad for these words again.”
It’s like setting boundaries for your budget.
♻️ Step 4: Check Regularly
Search behavior changes every week — new slang, trends, or local phrases.
Make it a habit to check your search terms every 1–2 weeks.
Each time you do, clean up the bad ones and note any new keywords that seem to work really well.
🚀 Step 5: Use What You Learn
Your report isn’t just for deleting bad terms — it’s for discovering new opportunities!
If you find a search phrase that’s performing great, add it as its own keyword or make an ad around it.
Example:
If “toddler clothes resale near me” gets lots of clicks, create an ad with that exact phrase in the headline.
🌟 Why It Matters
Most small businesses waste money on Google Ads because they never check what people are actually searching for.
By looking at your Search Query Report, you’ll quickly see which clicks are valuable — and which ones aren’t.
A few minutes a week can help you:
Save money đź’¸
Reach the right people 👩‍👩‍👧
Turn clicks into customers 🛍️
âś… Quick Recap
Your Search Query Report helps you:
See the exact searches that triggered your ads
Find new keywords that bring in customers
Block searches that waste money
Need help finding or cleaning up your Search Query Report?
👉 Bindi & Blazers Media can show you how to make every click count.
Grow Smarter. Spend Wiser. Stand Out.
